Today we’d like to introduce you to Alanna Boss.
Hi Alanna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always loved creating and enjoying art. I like to draw, paint, write, make stained glass, knit, make jewelry, etc.: pretty much anything that is creative brings me joy. I started making jewelry in August 2024 after I made a semi-expensive purchase of a ring while on vacation that immediately reacted to my skin. I’m allergic to everything but gold and decided I’d try my hand at making my own jewelry that I like and can wear. I started my own company in September 2024 (now known as House of Ozymella). I currently work with primarily polymer clay and gold plated hardware, but I’ve been branching out into other materials and eventually want to get into goldsmithing.
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?
No, it has not. I have been taken for a ride by scammers posing as event coordinators and received a cease-and-desist from an international fashion designer which required me to change my company name and scrub every photo/video/reference that had my previous company name in it, as well as destroy tons of brand new marketing materials that I could no longer use (I’m making a new collage painting out them to channel my rage). I am pretty sure that took a few years off of my lifespan it was so stressful. I’ve paid for services that it turned out I didn’t need (you don’t know what you don’t know). There are the minor struggles like lighting an entire set of braided pride hearts on fire after working on them for days on the day of delivery, or dropping a tile with raw clay on it and watching hours of work just get smashed, or my personal favorite when one of our cats got into my office and absolutely obliterated an entire merch stand (a lot of merch included) two days before the biggest event that I worked of the year. I just have to try to laugh at the end of the day to avoid crying in my closet.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to make things that I want but can’t find: either it doesn’t exist yet, it exists but it’s out of my price range, or it might exist, but it’s not exactly my style. I mainly specialize in black and golds, but I thoroughly enjoy the macabre, the creepy, the modern, the bright, the bold, the weird, and the nerdy. I’m known for working with polymer clay because I don’t like enjoy heavy earrings and it’s a really lightweight product. I’m also known for working with gold plated jewelry hardware (especially earrings) as I’m allergic to all metals but gold. I am a huge nerd and a big fan of romantasy, so I also try to keep dragons and bookmarks around whenever possible. I’ve recently started branching out into resins to make more jewelry, accessories, and home decor items that I genuinely want in my home (e.g., sprinkles coasters have my heart right now). I’m most proud that I’ve had the courage to chase my dream of being a full-time artist (I currently work a 9-5) and encourage anyone else to do the same: chase that dream (provided whatever your dream is doesn’t hurt others).
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
You never know where a single interaction or day will take you, and the only way out is through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://houseofozymella.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofozymella/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseofOzymella
