From the Road to the Studio: Creating My Desert Scene Collection
Back in 2018, my husband and I packed up the car and set out on a 6,000-mile road trip across the U.S. for our honeymoon. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences—the kind that stays with you in unexpected ways.
SandBeach Lake - Colorado, 2018
One stop that etched itself into my memory was Sedona, Arizona. Even though we only spent a short time there, I was completely captivated by the vivid colors, the towering red rock formations, and the way the desert light made everything glow.
That inspiration stayed with me for years, quietly tucked in the back of my mind.
More recently, I started channeling those memories into a new collection—hand-sculpted desert scene earrings and necklaces—inspired by both Sedona and Tucson, two places that have become near and dear to my heart.
Tucson: More Than Just a City
While Sedona sparked my initial inspiration, Tucson holds a special place in my creative journey. For several years, I traveled there to attend (and work!) at the Tucson Gem Show, the largest gem show in the world. I sourced some of the beautiful stones that I still use in my wire-wrapping today.
There’s something magical about Tucson. The warm desert breeze, the endless skies, and of course, the saguaro cactuses—which only grow in a small part of the U.S., including the Tucson area. Those iconic shapes have always fascinated me, and they became a central feature in this collection.
Clay, Not Paint: Sculpting Every Detail
As with all my polymer clay work, I don’t use any paint in these pieces. Every bit of color you see—from the terracotta cliffs to the pastel desert skies—is made by mixing custom clay colors and sculpting each detail by hand.
For this collection, I wanted to recreate the feeling of standing in the desert at golden hour—surrounded by cacti, warm earth tones, and that dreamlike desert haze. It’s incredibly satisfying to bring those landscapes to life in such a tiny, wearable form.
Each piece is like a miniature painting, but made entirely from clay. From layering the sky and shaping the mountains to placing each saguaro cactus just right, it’s a labor of love rooted in real memories and deep admiration for these stunning desert landscapes.
A Little Bit of the Desert, Wherever You Are
Whether you’ve been to the desert or just dream of it, I hope this collection brings a little bit of that beauty to your day. Each earring and necklace is a reminder of adventure, wonder, and how even a brief moment in a place can leave a lasting impression.
👉 View the Desert Scene Collection
Thank you for following along with my journey, and for supporting handmade, heartfelt art.
With love,
Evie
Simply Affinity