Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Puckett.
Hi Ali, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Ever since I was a little girl, I always loved making friendship bracelets for my friends, doodling, and submerging myself in music while making art or writing short stories. All of this got put on hold when I got pregnant at a pretty young age and had to focus on making money and taking care of my kiddo. I began applying my natural artistic abilities to other things in my life and found great joy in learning new skills, but still had very little time to experiment with mediums other than food and at-home DIY projects that helped reduce costs. When the pandemic hit, I saw our community flourishing with new small businesses and people following their dreams. This inspired me to start focusing on projects that were pretty and interesting. I started making healing crystal bracelets and shortly after found a great interest in resin art. I have been making resin jewelry for a couple of years now. I take flowers, bugs, and other natural found items and make them into beautiful, unique pendants and earrings. After some time, I realized that even though people loved my jewelry, there weren’t a lot of repeat buyers. The thing with jewelry is when you find that special piece that calls to you, you are satisfied and don’t need another one. I started making candles and soaps as more of a filler product at first, but after mastering the basics, I found my niche with them. I specialize in layered LGBTQ Pride candles, minimal ingredient Ritual Bath Bars with natural exfoliants, Pride jewelry, and crystal, and resin jewelry. I use organic soy wax, organic essential oils, biodegradable glitter, and natural and locally sourced ingredients in my products. I put a lot of love and attention to detail in everything I create. I often tell people who ask me how I know what people will like, that I just make things that I love and would buy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life in general has been full of struggles. Everything I have, I worked really hard for. I have relied on food banks and government benefits to fill the gaps between paychecks. I am very thankful for all the support I have from my family, friends, and the Denton community. I have a very supportive partner and together we are able to follow our dreams. I feel like I am in a better place financially and mentally than I ever have been. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and create for a living.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create unique gift items from natural ingredients and found items. I specialize in LGBTQ candles and jewelry, crystal and resin jewelry, and handcrafted soaps. I am most proud of my layered Pride candles and resin pendants. Both of these things take lots of patience, time, attention to detail, and developed skills. I pour each layer on my candles with great precision and match the flag colors. This has taken a lot of practice, trial, and error. I support the LGBTQ+ community and want to bring awareness to others. Denton is an excellent, accepting community that allows people to be their true self’s. My resin pendants have beautifully dried out flowers, bugs, mushrooms, and other natural items that I find on walks or friends give me. I think this sets me apart from others because each piece is unique and made with love and intention.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is spending my summers swimming at the local pool. I would swim all day, as long as my mom would let me! There was a playground next to the pool, where I would make flower crowns and lay in the sun.
Contact Info:
- Email: eliza.alene@gmail.com
- Instagram: @happy_handcrafts_by_ali
- Facebook: @happyhandcraftsbyali
