Meet Paola Aube | Dental Assistant turned Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paola Aube and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paola, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I would say it all happened really organically. I had been working as a dental assistant for around 10 years and feeling really stagnant in that field. In my free time, I dedicated a lot of time to hobbies, mostly painting and film photography ( which I still very much enjoy), which served as creative outlets since my 9-5 felt very robotic at times. I like to say that polymer clay found me, when one day scrolling through instagram I laid my eyes on a pair of super unique earrings from a fellow maker in Utah. I thought to myself “I have to get my hands on some clay”, the rest just seemed to flow from there.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For sure! I’ve been running a small business called Sumaq out of my small apartment in Southeast CT for around two and half years now. Everything in my shop is handmade by me out of of polymer clay and occasionally I like to toss in other art mediums as well. My focus is to really embrace the “slow made” side of the process from beginning to end, I try to dedicate a lot of time to each piece and create from a place of intention and love for the craft. Most often my work is inspired by nature and art outside of my realm, I try to glean bits and pieces and incorporate colors or shapes into the whimsical adornments I make. I’ve learned so much through the journey of owning a small business and most times it still feels like a work in progress. But I’m so thankful to be part of such a lovely community of humans that identify with what I make, the outpouring of love and support has been my biggest motivation to keep going. It’s a real dream come true to get to share my creativity with others and watch them light up when they find true joy in my quirky designs. I still can’t believe I get to call this my job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a total Rhody at heart so I would absolutely have to start my day in Rhode Island. First we’d hit up Wickenden St. for some breakfast at Amy’s and then grab a coffee from Nitro Bar for some thrifting fuel. I always have to hit up my fave thrift spots: Nostalgia & the East Providence Savers. We’d loop back to where we started and pop into Lore to peruse through all the lovely handmade & artisan pieces. Then it’s time to grab some tacos from Tallulah’s for a picnic at Prospect Park overlooking the city. For some afternoon entertainment we’d stop by the RISD museum or Nature Lab. Then we’d end the day the best way I know how, by heading to New Haven, CT for some delicious ramen & bubble tea at Mecha and a little treat at Pistachio cafe afterwards.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people in my life has been such an inspiration to me. I’d have to say though, that the person who has had the biggest impact in my life has been my grandmother, Victoria. She’s an indigenous woman from the Andes who moved to the capital of Peru in search for better opportunities. When faced with larger than life obstacles she took them on one by one with unmatched determination and courage. Her story is extremely moving to me, she was able to care for her eight children on her own in an unfamiliar and at times unwelcoming environment. She showed me that through hard work and determination no dream is too big to be realized. As an immigrant myself, I often find myself attempting to emulate that same courage she displayed throughout her life. She has inspired so many aspects of my small business, including the name “Sumaq” which stands for beautiful, in her native tongue of Quechua, as an homage to the beauty behind the grit and power of such an amazing woman.

Website: shopsumaq.com

Instagram: @shopsumaq

Other: Tik Tok: @shopsumaq

Image Credits
Gabrielle Rose IG- @gabsrose.c (credit for photos from photoshoot with three models)