Teacher and businesswoman Amanda Persaud thrives on creativity
From 5A
school and come home very tired,” Persaud said. She mostly creates jewellery when she arrives home from school early.
Promotion of her business also has proven to be a challenge because she is a full time teacher and cannot afford to be online all day to engage with clients. However, some of these issues are mitigated by friends and family.
Her sisters are some of her biggest cheerleaders. They post her jewellery on social media and wear the pieces to work and at events.
This has helped Persaud gauge people’s reception of her jewellery. She explained that many people are fascinated and intrigued when they see polymer clay jewellery and this has served as an encouragement for her to continue creating and maintaining her business. Friends at work have also been supportive and would usually purchase her creations because they are unique.
Persaud’s need to differentiate herself from other jewellery makers has led her to create paper jewellery as well. She said people are always surprised when they realise some of her earrings and necklaces are made of paper and would enquire if the jewellery is sustainable. She uses a process that allows the paper to be durable (and water resistant) so the jewellery can be worn just like a regular accessory.
Asked to explain this, she said she would rather not give out her secrets. She explained she spent months doing research on the technique and to reveal it would be to her disadvantage. Persaud also started recycling old papers and plastics because she wanted her business to be environmentally friendly. For Persaud, her creativity to teach, raise awareness about social ills and diseases while thinking of the environment has allowed her to “be creatively beautiful,” she said. This is the slogan of her business and a phrase she hopes will inspire others. You can find Abstract Beauty at https://www.instagram.co m/abstract.beauty.gy/.