For years, Jasmine Sherbahn dreamed of living off the income earned from her art. She’d always been an artist, but it wasn’t until she started experimenting with polymer clay earrings.
“The community support is the reason why I can do what I do — I’m so grateful,” Sherbahn said. “I feel lucky. I’m extremely humbled because I had tried so many different things to build an art career and clay really took off. I accepted it and I’ll ride this wave for as long as I can.”
Her intricate designs cover everything from bacon and eggs to darting foxes, with each set of earrings encapsulating pure whimsy.
She releases her work — Sleepyhouse Designs — in drops, like her most recent “Alaska Collection,” featuring sleepy sockeye salmon, forget-me-knot hearts, mountainscapes, fireweed and blueberries made from polymer clay.
With more than 47,000 followers on Instagram, Sherbahn is one of many Alaska Native artists selling their work through social media. It’s been a growing trend for years, with Indigenous creators making significant followings for themselves.
“So many of our orders go to Anchorage up to Fairbanks down to Wrangell, to Nome and so many more towns in Alaska,” Sherbahn added. “I’m always excited to see where our earrings are going. Especially within [Alaska.]”
Sherbahn began working with clay while on maternity leave with her youngest child in 2020. She started making figures just for fun, and saw some mutuals online making and selling earrings.
“I mashed colors together and cut out earrings,” Sherbahn said. “This was before I ever had any supplies. Just clay and a few hooks. When I posted a picture and some people took interest, I decided to make ‘@jclayandwire,’ now ‘@sleepyhousedesigns.’ Thanks to local friends and family, my page started to grow.”
From “Studio Ghibli,” the Japanese animation studio known for cult classics like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro” to “Over the Garden” and “The Hobbit,” Sherbahn uses her personal interests as inspiration for her work.
“Being an artist for me didn’t start with clay,” Sherbahn said. “I’ve always been an artist. I had to take this opportunity to live out my dream, and it has been the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
