“I’ve always been crafty and like to try different things,” says Sharon Sawyer, creator and owner of Mia Mia Designs. Beginning its third year, this favorite shop found at shows like First Sunday, Second Sunday, and boutiques like Designery Company in Hilton Village, offers a fun, fresh take on jewelry design. Made of polymer clay and inspired by all the colors of nature, Mia Mia Designs’ bright and happy hues are the perfect finishing touch for an outfit that is missing a little something, And, the whimsy of Mia Mia Design can’t help but put a smile on the wearer’s face.
Mia Mia Designs are all one of a kind. Starting with a rolled out slab of translucent polymer clay, the magic begins when Sharon starts to add color. Using alcohol ink, mica powers and small pieces of colored clay, she swirls the colors into unique patterns. Then using small cutters she begins to form the shapes. “The possibilities and creativity are endless,” she says as she mixes and matches this batch of polymer clay into chandelier earrings, very on trend.
With a particular love of flowers, Sharon sees color and inspiration everywhere: floral designs, photos and paintings, fall colors, you name it, and, sometimes the color and design combinations just come to her. Though, she says, she’s often drawn to blues and greens. Luckily, so are Mia Mia’s customers.
The majority of Mia Mia Design’s sales come from shows, an online Etsy shop (MiaMiadesigns2022.etsy.com, and an actively expanding presence in local boutiques.
When asked which styles and colors are most popular, Sharon pauses to say each show and each day are different. “I can do the same show twice on two consecutive days and people’s choices can be completely different.”
One thing her customers appreciate is as Mia Mia Designs polymer combinations are one of a kind, as Sharon sells out of the jewelry created from each slab, she doesn’t repeat the design. “I am able to usually make 5-8 pairs of earrings from each slab,” she says. “But, once the slab is used, I will not replicate it.” Another thing to appreciate is because Mia Mia Designs are made from polymer clay, they are as light and comfortable as they are stylish.
With fall in the air, Mia Mia designs is already creating seasonal and holiday designs. But, if a winter getaway is on your horizon, not to worry. Mia Mia Designs always has a wide variety of styles and colors on hand.
These earrings make the perfect gift, to commemorate a girls weekend, a mother/daughter adventure or even just for yourself. Check out Mia Mia Designs on Etsy at MiaMiaDez2022.etsy.com or at an upcoming show like the Hilton Village Fall and Spring Art Festivals, Occoquan Fall Festival, Poquoson Seafood Festival, Gloucester Daffodil Festival, West Point Crab Carnival, Chesapeake Spring Art Festival, and – of course First Sunday at Indian Fields Tavern and Second Sundays in Williamsburg.
Retailers interested in selling Mia Mia Designs may reach out to Sharon on Instagram at miamiadez2022.