Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Dexter.
Hi Pam, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started when I went from working in a microbiology lab to being a stay-at-home mom; the transition left me feeling lost, overwhelmed, and struggling with postpartum depression. I found myself in desperate need of an outlet: Enter YouTube TM.
I took an interest in online tutorials showing fluid art techniques and how to make basic paint-pour jewelry (with preformed metal backing). Then I stumbled across wire wrapping videos and decided to combine the two techniques to wrap my art into truly unique pendants.
As much as I enjoyed creating, I was having a hard time getting “seen” online (wire-wrapped art jewelry seemed to be mostly unheard of), so I added crystals into the mix in hopes of finding a larger audience. That’s when I found my niche at SplinterCat Creations.
The majority of what I make today is wire-wrapped crystal pendants, which I love! But when extra inspiration strikes, I’ll get back to paint pouring and create a one-of-a-kind set: an abstract painting and wire-wrapped pendant made from the very same paint pour.
Now, I enjoy running an Etsy shop online and SplinterCat Jewelry can be found on display at a wonderful shop in Lillington called Zenciety.
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?
The smooth road that I started with turned out to be riddled with potholes and speed bumps (hahaha).
Prior to starting SplinterCat Creations, I had no experience running a business – so it’s been a big learning curve. I’m continuously learning about everything from product photography and listing descriptions, to bookkeeping and sales tax. I had no idea how much work really goes into the business side of things.
Besides the learning curve, the biggest struggle for me has been a mental one; trying to move from a place of depression to creativity and joy is not easy. I still work at it every day.
Another difficult task for me lately has been making sure that I get out of the house, as odd as that may sound. I’ve always been a homebody, and the isolation of being a stay-at-home mom combined with pandemic restrictions really reinforced my introverted side. In an attempt to counteract my deeply-rooted hermit tendencies, I try to set up a SplinterCat booth a few times a year at local events. (I think it’s helping.)
Luckily I have a very supportive husband who has stood by me through struggles and artistic ventures alike.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My professional background is a bit all over the place.
I started out working in restaurants to pay for community college. I took a long break from school and worked in the legal field drafting bankruptcies for an attorney. Around a thousand bankruptcies later, I decided to go back to school to focus on science.
My husband and I ended up relocating from California to North Carolina for multiple reasons, but ultimately the move allowed me to finish my degree (something I couldn’t afford to do in California). I eventually earned a B.S. in Biology with a focus on Molecular Biology from UNCP. With my degree in hand, I started working for a microbiology lab testing foods for bacteria. From there, I became a stay-at-home mom/artist/small business owner.
Something that really sets me apart now as an artist is that I wire-wrap my own paintings (most artists will either paint or wrap, but not both). My canvas and pendant sets are also very unique right now; it’s something I haven’t really seen offered elsewhere.
Ultimately, it hasn’t been a clearly marked straight road to get here – But I’m learning to enjoy the view from the curvy back roads and detours of life.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the leaves in Fall – but the traffic, not so much.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://splintercatcreations.etsy.com/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thesplintercatcreations
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/SplinterCatCreations/
