Daria Miroshnychenko grew up in Kiev, Ukraine, in a uniformly artistic household. With a knitting mother, woodworker father, and ceramicist brother, the jeweler behind Dariami was born with creativity in her blood. As a child, Daria learned to sew from her grandmothers and dabbled in creative pursuits ranging from sculpture to beading. “I’ve created things for as long as I can remember,” she says. But despite her penchant (and genetic predisposition) for making, Daria ultimately pursued an academic career, earning her PhD in molecular biology and accepting a job in cancer research. “I was sure I would become a designer, but my path diverged.”
It wasn’t until years later, while searching for fresh ideas to make a necklace for her wedding, that Daria stumbled across the medium that would become the basis for her signature line of colorful jewelry. “Somebody mentioned polymer clay,” she recalls. “It wasn’t possible to buy it in Ukraine at that time, but I was lucky to find some abroad.” Thanks to the internet, Daria quickly learned the ins and outs of the material from a community of fellow makers. “From that moment on, polymer clay became my most-loved medium,” she says.
In 2010, on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, Daria officially listed her plant- and animal-inspired jewelry on Etsy, following in her family’s footsteps and launching a creative venture all her own. “I can’t deny that I was proud when my hobby became a business,” she says.
Read on to learn about Daria’s typical customer and to discover the charming story behind the early design that “went viral”—then shop the Dariami collection.
How has selling your work on Etsy affected your creative process?
I first started selling my works occasionally at handmade fairs. Then I registered as an Etsy seller and began reading the Seller Handbook, but it took me almost a year to add my first item.
Since then, I’ve started to think more about shop coherence, and about collections and seasons, so I’ve rearranged a lot of the items that I sell. Now, I don’t sell everything that I make. For example, I adore boho-style jewelry, but it doesn’t fit in with my shop’s aesthetic, so I only make it for myself and for friends. Until I decide to open a boho jewelry shop, that is!
What’s your workspace like?
We recently moved from Kiev to Tampa, Florida. I shipped a huge box of my tools and materials, but unfortunately I couldn’t pack everything—there’s not a ton of space. Right now I have only my most necessary tools: wirework tools, a pasta machine to roll out the polymer clay, and the most important tool of all, my oven. For a studio, I’ve been using the balcony in our apartment. I love the light, the fresh air, and the house plants—but summer in Florida gets too hot and humid, so soon I’ll have to move inside to the living room.
Can you walk me through the process of how you go from an idea to a finished product?
In the beginning I’ll just have the idea of what animal or plant I want to use as the basis for my design. Then I draw several sketches to achieve best look and a continuous line, since I like to create my wire frames from a single piece of wire. After that, I experiment with different colors of polymer clay and various finishings, like ink, foil, or Pearl Ex powder, to figure out what looks best. My favorite part of the process is the sketching and experimenting with materials. I like drawing and improving details—that’s my passion.
Do you have a typical customer that you keep in mind when you’re designing?
My customer is a young woman who loves unusual accessories, creates her own style, and isn’t afraid to mix colors. She might work in an office and my jewelry gives her a way to show off her personality. Or maybe she has kids and my jewelry is a part of her mother-daughter style. Maybe she’s a young professional and wears my personalized bracelet with the name of her hometown while she’s far away—or maybe it’s just the name of her cat that she adores. In that case, she also has my cat earrings.
Do any of your designs have a special personal meaning for you?
My crown hair clip is a very special item for me, because I made it for my daughter. She is my little princess and I wanted a crown for her, but I could only find glittery pink plastic ones for sale, and I wanted something more elegant. After I made it, I spent an hour persuading her to pose for the listing photo, and I added it to my shop the same day. Within 24 hours I got 15 orders—it went viral. It’s really where my success on Etsy began.
What’s next on the horizon for Dariami?
I would like to do more wholesale selling, because it helps me to have a steady workflow and to be able to plan ahead. I can’t dedicate all my time to my shop since I have a day job that I love, so I also want to look for help producing my jewelry designs. My husband helps me with packing and shipping, so it’s becoming our family business; I hope we’ll be able to continue building it together.
Follow Dariami on Facebook and Instagram.
Photographs by Dariami.
59 comments
Vadim Moroz from IconPainter said 2 years ago
Lovely shop! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 2 years ago
Such beautiful creations, love your design esthetic. Congratulations on the feature!
Niki from JandEdoodles said 2 years ago
That crown hair clip is the cutest. Congrats on your success and the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 2 years ago
What a beautiful line, Daria! Such creative polymer clay pieces!!! Congratulations on the feature and many blessings for your continued success! :D
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 2 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Olga from LinenAndTailor said 2 years ago
Very creative work! Congrats on the feature!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 2 years ago
You should be really proud to have your hobby become a business. Beautiful shop. Congratulations on the feature.
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 2 years ago
So pretty! I love your art!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 2 years ago
Charming shop, congrats on the well-deserved feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 2 years ago
Very cute! Love your designs and photography! Congrats on the feature and best wishes!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 2 years ago
Congratulations on your feature. Your jewelry is really amazing and I love that whimsical touch that all of your designs have. Much continued success!!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 2 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats on the feature!
Pavlo Prannyk from OleksynPrannyk said 2 years ago
Nice!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 2 years ago
Very nice work! Congrats!
Maria B. from TheNorthWayStudio said 2 years ago
All your creations are just so lovely--those snail necklaces are way too adorable! Congratulations on such a gorgeous feature!
Dawn Hawkins from DawnsINKSpirations said 2 years ago
congrats on your feature!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 2 years ago
Congratulations on your creative success! Love your nature theme! Best wishes to you and your family as your business grows.
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 2 years ago
I love the color to your pieces! And that crown is so cute! Congrats on getting your daughter to pose for the listing ; ) I know how that is... Best of luck with the move and getting wholesale orders.
Svetlana Pershina-Pryymachuk from TerrasChains said 2 years ago
This is really cool jewelry with soul :)
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Very nice shop. Congrats on the feature.
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 2 years ago
Love your snail necklaces! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams! :)
Daria from Dariami said 2 years ago
Thank you guys! It's a pleasure to read all your comments and wishes!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 2 years ago
very nice and creative!!!
cindy Q. from mrsakarn said 2 years ago
Congrats! I personally would love to see the Boho side of your creations. Best wishes to you! I will keep my eyes on your shop for the boho creations.
Liana from WildRoseAndSparrow said 2 years ago
I love the little crown! It's so dainty and elegant, just perfect for a little princess! It's always interesting to see other sellers that originally started out in science before they found their calling in more artistic pursuits like starting an Etsy shop. A great feature! :)
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
I love the princess crown! Congrats on the feature and wishing you much success in 2017!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 2 years ago
You have a great shop! Congrats!
Serenity Sister from SerenitySister said 2 years ago
LOVELY! Thank you for a wonderful write up..you are an inspiration!!! Welcome to Florida.. Enjoy the Sunshine Cat
Renee from RandMhandmade said 2 years ago
You have so many beautiful items!! Thank you for sharing your process with us. Congratulations!!!
Etrennes from Etrennes said 2 years ago
Beautiful creations, wonderful work! Wishing you all the best to continued success!!!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 2 years ago
charming pieces! congratulations on a lovely feature!!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success :)
Rosemary Lambert from cardhugs said 2 years ago
I admire so many of your cute pieces, beautifully crafted, and your shop area is well organized! Congrats on a wonderful shop!
M B from BeachStudio7 said 2 years ago
Beautiful art.
Jovita from alabatis said 2 years ago
Lovely shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Rosita from pillowlink said 2 years ago
Simply gorgeous story and cozy photos. Dreamy mood in every piece. Love your work, wish you the best here on Etsy and more!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 2 years ago
Beautiful designs, Daria! Love your photos. The owl is my favourite. All the best!
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 2 years ago
Amazing shop! Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Helen from Gem2theiVintage said 2 years ago
Wonderful talent and congratulations on your feature.
Dig Deep Vintage from digdeepvintage said 2 years ago
Congratulations on your success-I have enjoyed reading your story!
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 2 years ago
Love your work! So cute and unique!!!
Vladimir and Oksana from UkrHeart said 2 years ago
Congratulations Dasha! You have a wonderful store. We wish you an even more successful business! You a talented MASTER!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 2 years ago
I love that crown hair pin. It is so cute. Congratulations on the feature.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Very creative and unique work! Congratulations on the feature!
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 2 years ago
Pretty ♥ Congrats on the feature!
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 2 years ago
I adore this shop !
Eleni from PlexisArt said 2 years ago
Lovely items !!! Congratulations on the feature ♥
Alankar B from Spectrakraft said 2 years ago
Such a delightful and unique shop! Congratulations on the feature!
sim from PeacocksandPaperTree said 2 years ago
Very Cool shop I love your personalized wrap bracelets and crown clip. I'll have to order one for my daughters birthday. Congratulations on your feature.
Olivia Ewing Obercian from OliviaEwingJewelry said 2 years ago
Such sweet creations! Thank you for sharing!
Simone Slater from ClayGeo said 2 years ago
Beautiful work!
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 2 years ago
Beautiful and creative work! Congrats on the feature :)
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 2 years ago
lovey shop! It is really creative :)
Valentina . from Exclusive72 said 2 years ago
Lovely shop. Congratulations!
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 2 years ago
Very pretty pieces! Congrats on the feature.
J Sano from JEMYsCrafts said 2 years ago
Very nice! Love the Owl!!!!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 2 years ago
I love your sea-shells .
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 2 years ago
Good job, keep smiling and hope to see more cool ideas from your shop :)