Today we’d like to introduce you to Arianne Thomas.
Hi Arianne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a native New Orleanian, so my Creole culture, storytelling, and making something beautiful from what nature gives us are all deeply personal to me. That connection is really at the heart of WhoFly Crafts & Culture.
I started by experimenting with oyster shells and quickly realized I wanted to take them beyond the traditional jewelry dish. I began turning them into magnolias, butterflies, crosses, ornaments, and framed art. Somewhere along the way, they stopped being “just shells.” Each piece began developing its own personality, name, and story.
Speaking of names, the name WhoFly actually came long before the business. I moved to Texas in 2014 and met my now-husband, Anthony, within my first month here. During one of our early dates in downtown McKinney, around 2015, we were walking through the boutiques and dreaming about what we would name a store of our own someday. Because I’ve always loved owls and butterflies, Anthony came up with “WhoFly.” Eleven years later, when I decided to begin this journey with oyster shells, the name was a no-brainer. It felt like we were finally bringing that old dream to life.
My sister, Raquel is the reason I took the leap and began selling my work. She kept pushing me to put it out there, and I finally told her that if I did, she would have to work vendor markets with me. She agreed, so here we are!
Since then, things have moved faster than I expected. I’ve participated in makers markets, art festivals, and gallery exhibitions, and I’ve had the opportunity to create some incredibly meaningful custom pieces. My work is often inspired by my Louisiana roots, nature, faith, music, and sometimes simply by the shell itself.
I’m still learning and figuring things out as I go, but that’s part of what keeps it exciting. WhoFly has grown into something much bigger than I initially imagined while still feeling incredibly personal. Every piece is made by hand, with intention and, as my tagline says, fait à la main avec amour.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not completely smooth, but I don’t think any worthwhile creative journey is.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to run a business while still protecting the joy I find in making the art. I’m learning about pricing, inventory, packaging, displays, markets, and all the behind-the-scenes things that customers and collectors don’t necessarily see. There’s a lot more to it than simply creating something beautiful.
Building inventory can also be challenging because I don’t batch-make identical pieces. Every oyster shell is different, and a design that works beautifully on one shell may not work at all on another. Sometimes the shell changes my original plan completely. I’ve had pieces that didn’t turn out the way I envisioned, materials become unavailable, and plenty of moments when I had to step away and come back with fresh eyes.
There has also been the personal challenge of trusting myself. Putting your art in front of people and attaching a price to something you created can feel incredibly vulnerable. I’m often my own toughest critic, so learning not to overthink every detail has been part of the process too.
Thankfully, I’ve had a strong support system and customers who genuinely connect with my work. Every challenge has taught me something, and some of my favorite pieces have come from an unexpected change of direction or an idea that didn’t go according to plan.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create art using reclaimed oyster shells, transforming them into sculptural magnolias, butterflies, crosses, ornaments, jewelry dishes, and framed pieces. I’m probably best known for my magnolias and butterfly collections. I don’t simply decorate the shells; I use them as the actual structure of the art.
My process combines painting, decoupage, resin, fabric, dried flowers, crystals, pearls, beading, and other details depending on what the piece calls for. Because every oyster shell has its own shape, texture, and imperfections, no two pieces can ever be exactly alike. I don’t try to force them to be identical. Part of the process is allowing the shells to help determine what the finished piece becomes.
What sets my work apart is the storytelling behind it. Every piece receives its own name and identity, with inspiration often coming from my Louisiana Creole roots, nature, faith, music, or a client’s personal story. For example, my mini butterfly collection, “Ma Petite Shas” or “My Little Darlings” feature cultural nods like “Bleu Bayou” and “Luciole (Firefly).” My style can move from soft and romantic to dark and dramatic, but I still want each piece to feel unmistakably WhoFly.
I’m especially proud of how quickly the work has grown beyond what I originally imagined. In a relatively short time, I’ve gone from taking a chance on selling my creations to participating in markets, art festivals, and gallery exhibitions. I’ve also been trusted to create deeply personal custom pieces, including memorials and family tributes. Having someone connect emotionally with something I made from an oyster shell is still one of the most meaningful parts of this journey for me.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Question – Who else deserves credit? Have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients, or teammates who have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so, who are they, and how did they help?
I’d start with my sister, Raquel. She saw something in my work before I was ready to fully see it myself. She kept encouraging me to sell my pieces, and when I finally agreed, I told her she would have to work the markets with me. She has kept her word! She’s been my cheerleader, sounding board, market partner, and sometimes the person who reminds me to stop overthinking and just trust the work.
My husband has been the largest part of this journey. He supports all of my creative ideas, including the ones that require him to help me build, cut, carry, hang, or figure out how to make something work. A handmade business has plenty of unexpected engineering problems, and he’s usually right there helping me solve them.
I’m also incredibly grateful for my family, friends, fellow artists, market organizers, gallery owners, and every customer who has purchased a piece, placed a custom order, shared my work, or simply stopped at my booth and offered an encouraging word. The local creative community has been very welcoming and generous with advice and opportunities.
Every time someone connects with a piece I’ve made, it reassures me that taking this leap was worth it. WhoFly may be my creative vision, but I certainly haven’t built it alone.
Pricing:
- Magnolias start at $60
- Butterflies start at $80
- Jewelry dishes start at $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/whoflycraftsandculture
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoflycraftsandculture
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoflycraftsandculture
- Other: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/2270715/184838905098405773/share
