Meet Atiya Sewell Moore | Jewelry Artist & Professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Atiya Sewell Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Atiya, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?

I’m inspired by fellow creatives and the trends in the fashion world. When I browse Instagram, I’m amazed by the cool work people are doing with this medium. The creativity out there is. endless. It fills me with a sense of purpose, pushing me to explore my own creativity further.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art embodies timelessness, whimsy, and sophistication. What distinguishes my creations from others in this realm is the unique artistic interpretation I bring to conventional styles. From the careful selection of colors to the choice of hardware, each piece exudes a sense of individuality and rarity.

My foray into bridal pieces has been particularly exhilarating. Upon my own recent marriage, I found the options for jewelry to be disappointingly limited. Seeking something more distinctive and unconventional, I embarked on creating a collection tailored for bridal wear. These small batches, comprising 10-12 pieces each, garnered an overwhelmingly positive response, often selling out swiftly and prompting me to craft new iterations of the collection. Thus, I eagerly anticipate continuing this journey into the bridal market.

My creative journey commenced amidst the tumult of 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, as I recuperated from cancer surgery and found myself unable to work. Amidst this sense of helplessness, I pondered my life’s purpose, seeking solace in creativity, my sanctuary during challenging times. Experimenting with various mediums, I eventually found my muse in polymer clay. Engaging in this art form revitalized me and imbued me with a newfound sense of purpose.

Having previously thrived as a District Visual Manager for a retail brand, where I constantly exercised my creative and merchandising prowess, transitioning to a professorial role left me yearning for a similar outlet. Crafting polymer clay earrings provided the creative space I craved, allowing me to express myself and escape the daily stresses. It became my therapy, a means of self-expression born out of love and dedication.

ADS Clay Art is more than just a brand; it’s a labor of love and self-discovery, meticulously built with care and attention to detail. It serves as an extension of myself, offering the world a glimpse into my innermost thoughts and emotions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is about the cool food spots with places to hang out. We would start on Friday and head to Two Urban Licks and enjoy the salmon chips, duck two ways, and their signature cocktails. To wrap up the night we would head to . Saturday we would start the day at stone mountain for a hike and find the bamboo forest to take pics. Lunch would be at Ponce city Market, were we would shop, eat. Hitting up Atrium for food and midday cocktails. For Dinner head to Amore Amore for the great food, drinks, and instagramable moment. Sunday we would have brunch at my favorite spot, Breakfast at Barney’s, then head to Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall to kick it and had a drink in those fun pouches. Other places to check out would be Little Five Points for the unique shopping, the Aquarium for the tank, and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights for the culture.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank and family and friends for supporting my artistry in its early stages. I had no idea what I was doing. What I knew was that to heal, I needed to create. That time of reflection really allowed me to be vulnerable which was scary. It let me unpack my feelings around being diagnosed and recovery from my surgery. Without my family and friends I would not have the confidence I have today in my creations. I would also like to thank my husband for his consistent support. He not only was a sales person for me in the beginning he also packed and unpacked me up at ever festival. Which were many. Without him this venture would not have latest this long.

Website: www.adsclayart.shop

Instagram: @adsclayart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adsclayart