Beads and clay in The Pink Studio
Franziska’s creations are bold – both in colour and style. She shares how she ended up being her own boss, what inspires her designs, and finding motivation during the world’s ongoing pandemic.
Hello, who are you?
Hi, my name is Franziska, I’m the owner of the label The Pink Studio. I design and create polymer clay and beaded jewellery at my own studio in Stuttgart, Germany.
Tell us about your creative journey. When did start The Pink Studio Jewellery?
I originally studied textile design and always loved to work with bold colours and crazy materials.
So why jewellery? Well, my mum has been making jewellery since forever. I grew up with a huge supply of glass beads around me, so I just started embroidering my textiles and making brooches and earrings with beads and sequins. When I got my diploma in 2018, I decided not to work in fashion or the textile industry and be my own boss. In 2019 I discovered polymer clay and focused my work around this medium.
During the ongoing pandemic, I struggled a lot with motivation. I felt uninspired and for weeks I couldn’t get my groove back. That really weighed me down and made me feel guilty. What I had to learn during these times, is that it’s okay to take a break and do nothing. It doesn’t diminish my work when I lay on the couch for three days. I want other creators and business owners to know that and remind them of how awesome they are!
Do you plan your pieces, before you begin?
I have to admit, I’m a messy creative… So most of the time, when I get inspired by something I just start right away, mixing colours and shapes and assembling them afterwards.
What inspires your work?
Everything! People, colours, fashion, nature or even food, everything goes! But when I started with beaded accessories, I loved to look for inspiration in underwater worlds: coral reefs, slugs and fishes. They’re all so amazing!
What do you enjoy most about working with polymer clay?
It’s so versatile! You can shape and form unbaked clay into literally anything. There are no limits when it comes to colour or texture. You can imitate stones, metal or even fabric!
I love the abstract nature of your beaded jewellery. How long does a piece take to make?
They can really take forever! I love opulence, so I’ll always be adding more and more beads till several hours have passed.
What does a usual day look like for you?
I usually start my day with some yoga or meditation to clear my head. Then after breakfast, I have to force myself to do social media and do organising stuff. I try to clear all that in the morning, so I can start with my creative work. And then it’s making and baking clay earrings!
Stuttgart, Germany
