Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Jarvis.
Hi Sofia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi there – I’m Sofia Jarvis, founder and owner of Luminary Clays. I currently live in Chattanooga, Tennessee with my husband Tyler and our two pups, Kota (Australian Shepherd) and Murphy (Golden Retriever). I grew up in Warner Robins, Georgia and moved to Atlanta to earn my Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology at Oglethorpe University. I originally planned to pursue a career in neuroscience and behavioral analysis but discovered industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology and pivoted to that field, earning my Master of Science in I-O Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
By day, I’m an I-O psychology practitioner focused on making a difference in the way people experience work and helping employees and leaders build skills for the future. I love the I-O psychology field and love the work that I get to do. But when Covid hit, I found myself with more time on my hands and a desire to be creative, build community, and promote support for mental health awareness during a time that mental health was becoming even more obvious of a cultural concern. My friend Stephanie and I decided to pursue creating a small business and that’s when Luminary Clays was born, officially launching in August 2020. I now own and operate Luminary on my own but love that I was able to create something so meaningful with a close friend. We started learning about polymer clay and spent months researching and practicing different techniques to create jewelry. We were extremely intentional in defining who Luminary was, our mission and purpose, and finding ways to use Luminary to support important efforts larger than us.
We spent months coming up with a name and logo to represent all that we were hoping Luminary would become. We wanted to build a brand and community focused on spreading light, love, and an appreciation for where each of us are in this delicate life we are so lucky to live. The Luminary Clays logo includes a sun and moon connected by a leafy vine to symbolize the human experience. Whether you are currently in a time where you resonate with the sun and energy, or a time that resonates with the moon and rest, every part of the journey can bring beauty, hope, and a new perspective. There’s beauty in the day and night – in the light and dark – and the growth that happens along the journey should be celebrated. We aimed to create jewelry that really spoke to people, that would make people feel confident and seen, and spark even the tiniest amount of joy. And from the beginning, we committed to donating a portion of every sale to support mental health and currently donate 10% to Mental Health America.
Luminary Clays started as a creative outlet with a genuine people-focused mission, but I never could have anticipated the personal connections I would make because of Luminary and the incredible people and organizations I’d grow to love. I’ve gotten the opportunity to support local charitable organizations including the non-profit Be The Change Youth Initiative focused on building youth mental health awareness while educating, equipping, and empowering the next generation to become advocates for their communities through personal engagement and collaboration, 7th Well focused on supporting survivors of human trafficking in the Chattanooga area, and One Mission Mercantile focused on restoring girls and women in vulnerable situations in Central America by teaching them how to sew and create beautiful leather goods (among other handmade goods) while providing a sustainable and safe job. I now serve on the Board of Directors for Be The Change Youth Initiative and could not be more grateful for this opportunity that was sparked by a connection made through Luminary.
It’s been an incredible journey so far and I feel very lucky and appreciative of all that Luminary has become. Moving forward, my focus for Luminary includes deepening the connection to our mission and impact and broadening our product offering beyond mostly polymer clay earrings to include other jewelry, apparel, and home goods. Follow along on Instagram at @LuminaryClays to learn more and stay up-to-date on current product launches at luminaryclays.etsy.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say the road has been relatively smooth. Because Luminary Clays isn’t my primary job, I have a bit more flexibility to be intentional with Luminary, take breaks when I need to adjust, and pause to dream up new products without needing to have a consistent income from Luminary to support my living. The hardest part for me was really finding my style. Around the same time Luminary Clays launched, so many others were also discovering polymer clay. There are a LOT of talented polymer clay artists out there and it was tough initially to really feel like I was creating something unique and true to the brand and not be influenced by other polymer clay makers and the styles that seemed to be successful for them. My focus is small-batch intentional designs. Mass-production just isn’t feasible for me, and honestly, isn’t something that interests me at the moment. I really enjoy making unique designs so people feel like they are purchasing something special that others are unlikely to have. It’s hard not to compare your success to others in the same industry but I truly believe in staying true to yourself, what you feel called to do and seeking joy in the journey. Those are my priorities right now personally and for Luminary and am grateful for my Luminary community that supports my vision and art. I’ve received strong support from my community at local markets, pop-ups hosted by other small businesses, and wholesale relationships including Sophie’s Shoppe, a beautifully curated local home and gifts boutique. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my friend and personal hair stylist Latosha Thornton, owner of SOHO Salon, who nominated me for this opportunity to share my story with you all. It’s truly incredible the difference it makes when someone shares that they have faith in you and your work, and that’s made all the difference in Luminary’s journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Luminary Clays’ foundational products are polymer clay earrings. We also offer some all-metal earrings, always ensuring that our products are high quality and hypoallergenic for those with sensitive ears. I’m really excited to also now be offering polymer clay “stone” rings with high-quality metals and faux turquoise, opal, and dalmatian jasper stones made out of polymer clay, to name a few. The Luminary style ranges from fun colorblock floral designs to textured classy statements to minimalist everyday styles. A recent style I’m really proud of is our new watercolor style. I used a combination of polymer clay, alcohol inks, 18k liquid gold leaf, and resin to create styles that look like pieces of a watercolor painting. Beyond Luminary’s core products, I also love collaborating on special custom designs with my customers and have created several custom styles for bridesmaids, brides, and others just looking to create a special style for themselves or a loved one.
I have also recently started offering embroidered sweatshirts with the saying “be the light” to represent the mission of Luminary. And while this product is vastly different from the normal Luminary offerings, it’s probably the product I’m currently most proud of, largely because of the reactions I’ve gotten from others. I had a selection of these embroidered sweatshirts at the Holiday Market in Chattanooga right before Christmas and had several people approach my booth so excited to see the sweatshirts and a message that resonated with them personally. Several shared personal stories with me about how being a light to others is a goal of theirs for the new year or has been a personal mantra for several years, some shared stories of how they’ve influenced others to act with the same mindset, and others just felt called to the saying for the first time. These sweatshirts, with a simple statement – be the light – have become such a clear example of the meaning behind the Luminary brand and purpose I aim to achieve through community with others. It’s been incredibly humbling and powerful to have a simple product spur genuine and purpose-filled connections.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Such a great question and one that I think about regularly. It would be easy for me to say that success looks like X sales per month, or making a certain amount per year, or gaining a certain amount of recognition or followers. And while those are good goals to have, they would mean nothing to me without the ability to positively impact others. My passion for mental health and my Faith guide me both personally and professionally and now more than ever, I truly feel called to creating genuine connections, supporting and loving others, and creating a joy-filled space through Luminary. I’d be lying if I said I never second-guessed what I was trying to accomplish through Luminary. I struggle with anxiety and there’s been several times I question if I can even make that big of a difference through Luminary, if people even resonate with what I’m hoping to accomplish, if people will like the designs I’m most proud to share, and just struggling with imposter syndrome in general. But there’s been so many signs, so many conversations with strangers and those close to me, and so many crazy coincidences and doors opening that I feel reassured that I’m doing exactly what I should be doing right now.
I was working a market during Fall of 2022 and a sweet woman came up to me and asked more about our name, “Luminary” and what it meant. I explained the mission, the meaning behind the logo symbol, and what Luminary meant to me personally. She told me how much the thought of being a light meant to her and shared with me that her husband died a few months prior and she’s been looking to regain that joy and light again. She saw a pair of butterfly earrings we offered and broke down crying. She said that ever since her husband passed, she’s seen butterflies everywhere and they remind her of him and special moments they shared. We hugged and cried together.
I felt (and still do feel) so humbled that she felt comfortable enough to share such a personal story and moment with me, a stranger, and am so grateful to have been a place where she could feel seen and have a positive experience. I also had a young girl recently tell me after meeting me at a local pop-up that I inspired her to start her own jewelry business and I could not be more proud of that. It’s moments like those where I’m reminded just how much of an influence you can have on others through simple connections. You can choose connection and care or distance and indifference. I hope you’ll join me in choosing the former and being a light to others.
Pricing:
- Luminary products generally range from $15-40
Contact Info:
- Website: luminaryclays.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminaryclays/
Image Credits
Hayley Ownbey Photography
