Make Santa Studs with Zara Avila

Zara Avila is a polymer clay artist creating quirky earrings with one purpose in mind: to make others smile.

After years of only being able to draw stick figures and insisting vehemently that she wasn’t artistic, Zara realised this wasn’t the case and in fact, she just hadn’t found her medium yet. With little craft experience, Zara purchased a cheap polymer clay kit online and found almost immediately that not only did she love it, but she had a certain knack for it too.

Zara’s days are now spent rolling, pressing and moulding clay earrings, with the sole purpose of making colourful, silly creations to lift both hers and her customer’s spirits. What began as a simple way to de-stress is now Zara’s beloved business, Hooked On You.

Now too busy to return to work as a primary school teacher, Zara channels her love of teaching into empowering Aussies to tap into the mood-boosting benefits of polymer clay with lovingly packed DIY kits and casual online classes.

The first thing I ever made…

Was created out of the cheapest, nastiest clay but I was hooked from the offset. I can’t remember exactly what I made but I do remember how proud I felt (and then I soon realised that cheap, nasty clay doesn’t hold up to much wear and got thoroughly stuck into using professional brand clay).

Some of my earliest creations were clay ice creams and hot-cross buns, and when they started selling I was so surprised. I remember my dad saying to not get too excited - after all, who would buy miniature clay food earrings? Maybe one or two people, but surely this wasn’t going to be a ‘thing’. He often tells me how surprised and proud he is now, at how far I have come with this craft and my business.

I’m on a mission to…

Share the power of arts and crafts with others. Hooked On You began when I was in a dark place mentally where I relied on making things that would make me smile, either for their cuteness, silliness or strangeness.

As I began selling earrings and received feedback from customers that my designs were making them smile, I realised that my silly, sometimes strange work was actually helping others. I work hard to make things bright, colourful and cheeky, just for the joy of watching other people smile and laugh.

My classes are all about empowering beginners and avid crafters alike to also tap into the mental benefits of creating with polymer clay. Whether it’s a mini Santa or quirky chameleon, my students always walk away with something they’re proud of and an alternative way to practice mindfulness.

When I’m working with polymer clay I…

Relax! I actively take time every day to play with clay, even if I am not making something for my business. The feel of clay in your hands is extremely therapeutic. In fact, this is probably the most frequently remarked about thing in my classes; it seems to be a universal phenomenon that playing with clay reduces stress and anxiety.

Usually, when I sit down to work with polymer clay I have a list of things I am aiming to make, and once I’m underway I put on YouTube and watch something that involves more listening (my current go-to favourite is Bailey Sarian’s Murder Mystery Makeup Monday) and I just relax.

I’m lucky enough to have the space to have my own studio, so I have everything I need at my fingertips, and a big squishy armchair to relax in while I get to work. It’s brilliant!

Teaching others has taught me…

Reflection. I’m a qualified primary school teacher by trade but I don’t teach in a classroom anymore as my business has me way too busy for that. Teaching has been something I have long been drawn to. I love to share with people easier ways to accomplish a goal and watch their faces as they achieve it.

One of my favourite things about teaching on ClassBento has been being able to connect with people from all over Australia, no matter where they are or what’s going on in the world. When I get a message with a photo of my students’ creations, I just feel such pride - having been able to pass on a skill that I personally love so much is an honour.

At the end of each class, I reflect on stories that came up. Most of the time it’s students saying something like, “I never thought of myself as actually being artistic, but now…” and I feel blessed that I played a part in that liberating realisation.

Christmas smells like…

Happiness. There are barbecues and ice-cold drinks. There’s the smell of chlorine as my kids laugh and squeal the afternoon away in the pool. There is the dry smell of summer, and of course, the most mouth-watering Christmas lunch (my favourite is the Christmas ham!)

This year I’m grateful for…

My family (spoiler alert: it’s the same thing every year). I have such a beautiful family, from my husband David who fully supports me in my creative business to my two kids, Heath (four) and Maisie (two) who are just an endless supply of laughter and fun (and the occasional mummy meltdown). My parents are always there for us too, and with everything the world has endured over the last 24 months, I just feel so blessed to have a tight-knit and happy family life.