Rising Stars: Meet Laura Dreyer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Dreyer.

Hi Laura, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
At eight years old, I started making miniatures from polymer clay – tiny food, animals, people, fairies – if I could imagine it, I could make it! As I got older, my work in painting, illustration, and graphic design took my focus, but I never forgot my love of tiny things.

Clay and I were reunited in 2016 when I started to make little clay portraits as gifts for my friends who were getting married and having kids. As I began posting them online for fun, people wanted to buy them, and I was soon selling clay illustrations and custom clay portraits as Little Clay Land.

I think everyone has that same little eight-year-old kid living somewhere inside, and Little Clay Land is where I go to let her out!

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?
I’ve done many art ventures, but this one has been the most profitable business-wise. My biggest challenge with Little Clay Land has always been getting my work in front of my audience.

Algorithms change, platforms shift, costs for advertising go up, and the time it takes to adjust is time I always wish I was sculpting instead.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I hand-sculpt tiny, custom clay portraits for people of their family, friends, and pets. My style is inspired by mid-century illustrators like Mary Blair, and my medium is polymer clay.

People tell me all the time that they’ve never seen anything like what I make, which is the biggest compliment!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Ask what you would like from someone. Artists can be shy and sensitive, which is not a bad thing, but it can keep us from approaching people. It’s ok to be told no, just keep looking!

Pricing:

• My clay portraits currently start at $98 for a portrait of one. Each person or pet is $20 added.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@littleclayland.com
• Website: littleclayland.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleclayland/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleclayland/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/littleclayland/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChvWnPNl3V7rWa0wAswcRDQ

Image Credits
Lauren Venning and Laura Dreyer