Check Out Elena Valente’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Valente

Hi Elena, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Let’s rewind to August 2019. I had recently resigned from my job as a Special Education teacher working with middle school students on the Autism spectrum in Boston. I packed up my life in Massachusetts and was planning on moving to Paris to reunite with my fiance.

Why was my fiance in France? Two weeks after we got engaged, the company he had his visa with sent him back to Paris. We had been apart for over 7 months and we couldn’t wait to be together again. Then enter… Covid, lockdown AND travel bans.

I was now living at my parents house in New York, nannying and tutoring local students. Emotionally and mentally exhausted, I had no idea when my fiance and I would be able to reunite. My anxiety was at an all time high and the uncertainty was overwhelming. Our future was entirely out of our control.

Normally, when I experience stress, I combat it by doing something creative. Like many at this time, I turned towards drawing, baking, or whatever I could get my hands on. Then one day, I came across polymer clay. I had never heard of it before, but after learning that it’s a lightweight yet durable material, I remembered that I had some jewelry making tools in the basement that I used to play around with when I was younger.

I began by making earrings just for myself, experimenting with different shapes and colors, and getting to know polymer clay through plenty of trial and error. Each piece taught me what worked and what didn’t, as I refined every detail—bake time, polishing methods, backings, hardware, thickness—through several batches and iterations. It was a slow, organic process, but the more I worked with the clay, the more I discovered its possibilities. As my confidence in my skills grew, I started making pieces for friends and family, who encouraged me to keep going. I connected with fellow creators online, learning new clay techniques and gaining valuable insights into the business side of things, which made me realize this creative outlet could evolve into something more.

Heartache, polymer clay, an X-Acto knife, a pasta machine (to roll out the clay evenly) and some late night inspiration soon turned a little jewelry making hobby into a one woman business.

After two years of living on separate continents, my husband and I were finally able to reunite for good. He has always called me his sunshine. So when I began creating jewelry full time, this sweet sentiment became part of the brand’s name… and I’ve Got Sunshine Designs (IGSD) was born!

Since then, I have expanded beyond polymer clay. My business has traveled with me from New York to Paris, to Waterloo, Canada, and recently to Manhasset, Long Island. I’m proud to now have my own website and online shop (www.shopIGSD.com). It’s truly a dream come true to see my jewelry being worn around the world, with packages shipped globally. Through it all, I’ve kept the same mission: to create handmade jewelry that brings a little brightness into people’s lives. “Lightweight jewelry designed for the effortlessly chic.” Everything in my shop is created by me on my big orange desk, which my customers have lovingly named “Velma.”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has definitely not been easy. There have been plenty of bumps along the way, and I’ve had to face many challenges that tested both my patience and my resolve. One of my first struggles was simply working with limited supplies. When I started out, I didn’t have access to a full workshop or even the materials I needed. Every move — from New York to Paris to Canada — meant I had to pack up my business with me and start over in new spaces. That was a logistical nightmare at times, especially when I didn’t know where I’d find new supplies or how I’d adapt to the different environments.

Starting in New York during lockdown was its own challenge. Everything was shut down. No in-person events, no direct sales. Just me and my small collection of handmade jewelry up on Etsy, working out of my parents’ house, trying to figure out how to reach customers online. When I moved to Paris, the lockdowns hit even harder there. I thought, “Okay, this will be temporary,” but it dragged on longer than anyone expected.

And then there was our time in Canada. When we moved to Waterloo, we didn’t know anyone. I was starting from scratch again, and it was incredibly isolating. I spent my weekends at a local farmers market, freezing in the cold as I tried to sell my pieces, even though the majority of shoppers were members of the local Amish community, who do not even wear jewelry.

My husband (thank you hunny!) jumped in and helped, but it was still hard. It’s tough putting yourself and your work out there when you don’t have an established community to rely on. Building trust and finding your audience is a slow and difficult process anywhere, let alone in a new country, far from home.

Not to mention social media… yikes. It’s such a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it’s an incredible way to connect with people, share knowledge, and showcase my work, but keeping up with the algorithm? Forget about it! It feels like you’re constantly chasing after something that’s always just out of reach. Some days, it can be overwhelming, but I’ve learned to just keep showing up and doing my best, even when it feels like you’re invisible on those quiet days.

Through it all, I’ve learned how resilient I am. These challenges haven’t been easy, but they’ve shaped me and my business in ways I never expected. I’ve learned to adapt, stay focused, and push through the tough times.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first started IGSD, I focused primarily on polymer clay earrings. Polymer clay is so versatile and I absolutely love working with it. The material allows me to create lightweight, bold designs that are both fun and easy to wear. Over time, I’ve expanded my craft to include wire work and new materials like pearls, glass, gold and sterling silver, bringing a new layer of sophistication and variety to my designs.

While earrings remain the main focus of IGSD, my shop now offers a wider range of jewelry, including rings, hair clips, clip-ons, necklaces, and bracelets, with a recent focus on custom bridal jewelry. I’ve been working more with brides and bridal parties to help them create the perfect pieces for their special day. It’s such an honor to be part of these moments, and I love the creative challenge of designing something that feels unique to each individual.

Quality is everything to me. I make sure to use the highest quality materials for every piece I create, whether it’s the clay, the metals, or the beads. I want my customers to feel confident in the jewelry they wear, knowing that it’s both beautiful and durable. At the same time, I’m committed to affordability. I believe that beautiful, high-quality jewelry should be accessible, and I want my customers to feel that they’re getting something special at a price that makes sense for them. Everyone deserves to enjoy the beauty of handmade jewelry without breaking the bank.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in refining my craft. Now that I’m a mom to a little 1.5 year old girl, I’ve learned how to balance my time between being a mother and running my business. When my daughter is sleeping, I am creating jewelry, experimenting with new designs, and completing orders. It’s a beautiful process, and I truly love how every piece that leaves my shop carries a bit of my heart and energy. My hope is that customers feel that same excitement when they open their packages, knowing they’ve received something truly special and unique.

What sets me apart from others is the connection I have to the jewelry I make. Jewelry can be more than just an accessory; it’s a way to express yourself daily and becomes a part of who you are. I wear my own pieces all the time, and I never take off the rings and bracelets I’ve created. To me, that speaks volumes about the love and care that goes into every design. I want my customers to experience the same joy and confidence in their jewelry, knowing it’s something that will be with them through all the little moments of their day.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was definitely someone who had a strong creative side. It was very clear early on that athleticism was not and will never be my strength!

One of the biggest influences in my life is my mom. My mom was an art docent during my elementary years, and I have really fond memories of her coming into our classroom to teach us about different artists and their work. She led us in interactive projects based on each artistic movement, and whenever possible, we would go as a family to visit museums to see the art we learned about in person. That was such a special experience for me. My great-great-grandfather was an iconographer in Greece and my great grandfather was an artist as well, so I grew up surrounded by a rich artistic heritage. That connection to creativity, both through my mom’s lessons and my family’s history, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the arts from a young age.

The classroom wasn’t my favorite place as a child, which makes it all the more ironic that I pursued a career in education. What drew me to the field was the chance to work with children and inspire them to explore their curiosity. I especially loved working with children on the autism spectrum, whose creativity and unique perspectives are often misunderstood. Watching them embrace and share their ideas—and seeing the joy and confidence that comes from feeling seen and celebrated—reminds me of the moments I felt the same spark as a kid.

As a mom now, I hope to provide my daughter with the same kind of nurturing environment that fosters creativity and curiosity. I want her to grow up feeling empowered to pursue what she loves, just as I did, and I hope that the childhood I give her helps lead her on to a path where she can discover her own passions and create something beautiful in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopIGSD.com
• Instagram: @ivegotsunshine_designs
• Facebook: I’ve Got Sunshine Designs