Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Love
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Alexis Love and I started Lovely Little Uglies in 2021. I wanted to incorporate my last name into my business and thought it was a fun play on “imperfect art made with love”. Lovely Little Uglies is an Asian woman owned business where I create handmade, painted, and hypoallergenic polymer clay jewelry. Everything is made out of my apartment in Northeast Minneapolis where I live with my husband, Chris, and two Frenchies, Gus and Stewart. I love creating bright, funky and unique pieces that make people happy!
I never thought that I would become a small business owner or be lucky enough to have this opportunity of putting my art into the world. I studied at Purdue University and abroad at the London College of Fashion where I thought fashion was always what I wanted to do with my life. After college, I was a visual merchandiser at Nordstrom for 6 years where I got to do store openings, window displays, styling, etc. I learned so much and got to work with incredibly talented people. It was however, a very physically demanding job that started to take its toll and I was not sure where I wanted to go next. I wanted to keep being creative but do it on my own terms, so I started to purse this dream.
In the spring of 2021, I got Covid and had to take two weeks off work to quarantine. I decided to start playing around with clay and it sparked something inside me. I hadn’t felt this inspired by something in a long time and realized this was something that I could really do. I started an Instagram account, grew my following and opened an Etsy shop. For about 6 months, I’d work from 7am to 3:30pm and come home to work on earrings until the late hours of the night. It was exhausting but I was determined to make this business a success. I finally took the leap of making this my full-time job and am so happy I did!
Now I have my own website, the most amazing/supportive followers, and am able to be part of a wonderful Twin Cities art community. It’s definitely been a wild ride and words can’t express how grateful I am to see where Lovely Little Uglies is today!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This has definitely not been a smooth road. When I decided that I was going to fully commit to Lovely Little Uglies, it was extremely overwhelming. There’s so many things that go into creating a small business and it was a huge learning curve. I’m a one woman show, and while I have an amazing support system, it can be really hard juggling everything and maintaining a work/life balance.
Social media is a big thing I struggle with because I find it hard putting myself and work out there. Especially nowadays, trying to constantly come up with content is a lot and I hate how social media can have the power to dictate how I feel. Sometimes you think you have a great idea and work hard on it but it gets no traction once you post. I hate to admit how much that can sometimes influence me and it’s something I’m really trying to work on.
I think one of the hardest parts of my journey has been realizing the downside of sharing your art. In 2022, I was lucky enough to have my cowboy chicken earrings go viral and that was something that really helped grow my business. I was riding a high knowing so many people loved my earrings and that I created something unique but going viral isn’t always positive. Not only were other artists stealing my idea but Shein also created a knock-off using the exact same shapes and even some of my paint strokes. They’re everywhere now on fast fashion websites and also being drop shipped on many websites like Etsy. There’s nothing I can really do about it which is very disheartening and I know this also comes with the territory as an artist. I do try to look at the positives and tell myself that I suppose it is cool to have created a viral product and not many can say that. It has made it harder for me to be as open with sharing all my ideas and artwork. Especially with AI becoming more prevalent in our world today and I know this has many other artists feeling the same way.
As someone who is very open about mental health, I’m not ashamed to say that I have anxiety and depression. I know many other people are facing the same struggles and it’s ok to show vulnerability. My mental health is something I face every single day and with everything that comes with running a small business, it can get me feeling very overwhelmed at times. I take everything one step at a time and always remind myself how lucky I am to be able to be doing what I love!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I started Lovely Little Uglies, I wanted to make sure that my art is for everyone! Knowing people of all ages and gender can find something that makes them happy is something very important to me. I make earrings, necklaces, pins, magnets, hair clips and tote bags. I’m always trying to expand my work and love hearing people’s suggestions. My mind is constantly thinking of new ideas and finding inspiration from everything around me.
There’s a lot of steps that go into my pieces. I roll my polymer clay through a pasta maker and use cutters that I’ve either previously purchased or designed on my 3D printer, to cut out the shapes. The pieces are then baked, sanded, painted and finished with a UV resin. All the hardware I use is hypoallergenic and I provide other options if anyone would like something switched out including clip-ons!
I also do all my own branding from designing my logo, banner, business cards, etc. and it’s something that I’m very proud of and love being able to create a distinct brand for Lovely Little Uglies.
Polymer clay is a medium that a lot of artists work with and it’s really cool that there’s so many ways you can use it. I love seeing other artists’ creations and how we all excel in different ways working with it. People are often shocked to find out when I say that everything I make is with polymer clay! I definitely have a different approach than a lot of other people when making my pieces with hand painting and finishing with a UV resin.
My process started because there was a clay shortage during Covid. I could really only get my hands on white clay so I decided to use acrylic paint as a way to add all the details. I like having the ability to create whatever I like with my brush and utilize my painting skills. Then I discovered UV resin was a great way to ensure my paint wouldn’t come off and it gives a wonderful shiny finish. I will say that it’s my least favorite step because it can be a pain to work with but it really makes my pieces pop and stand out from other polymer clay jewelry. I’ve continued to use this process because I love the final look of everything!
Many people know me for my cowboy chicken earrings and bright/colorful style. Everyone that walks up to my booth at markets always comment on how happy and colorful everything is! I’m very proud of how unique all my pieces are and the variety I provide. From animals to fruits/veggies, flowers, etc. there’s something you can find that will bring a smile to your face. I always make sure to offer a lot of my pieces in different sizes and colors too so you can find an option that you love!
What makes you happy?
My family, friends and dogs make the happiest. I think it’s important to take the time with your loved ones and be able to step away from your work even though it can be hard. I am so lucky to have such an amazing support system in my life. When I first said I was starting this business, no one told me that I couldn’t do it and they’ve always believed in me. From supporting my business, helping at markets or giving me a pep talk when I’m feeling down, I couldn’t do this without them. A huge shout out to my dogs too for always making me smile and being the biggest cuddle bugs!
Being able to create art every single day also brings me happiness and knowing that my work brings other people happiness as well. I’ve been doing more markets lately and one of my favorite things is meeting everyone. It’s always great to build relationships within your local community. And being able to see someone come up to my table and immediately smile at my work, brings me so much joy! It’s always a beautiful reminder that something I made just made someone else’s day.
I especially love meeting and seeing my followers at markets. To know someone loves my art and wants to keep supporting my business will never cease to amaze me. Being told I am someone’s favorite artist is seriously the coolest thing ever. The first time someone told me that, I think I smiled for like a week! It’s something I always think about and especially helps me on my bad days to keep me going.
Living in Minneapolis brings me a lot of happiness as well. I’ve been able to meet many talented people, and work with awesome local businesses. I feel extremely lucky to be in a city that has such appreciation for art and small businesses. It always makes my day being out and about and seeing someone wearing my earrings. I am so grateful to have this opportunity of growing my business in such a wonderful city!
Pricing:
- $15-$110
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lovelylittleuglies.com
- Instagram: @lovely.little.uglies
