Artist Statement

About the Artist

Hello there, I'm Ryan/Pie! Welcome to Pieces by Pie, run by me and only me :)

THEY/she pronouns user~ 

I’m just your local clay baking faerie who loves cats, pastries, and cozy vibes. I strive to run a shop and online space that is warm and welcoming to all, and to serve up some happiness in the form of faux baked goods and other little bits and bobs.

I picked up polymer clay my final year of college (2020-2021) as a new pastime while navigating the pandemic and online school. I had a lot of extra time on my hands as I had just parted ways from my on-campus job in the international affairs office. I would have never expected this to become my new job, but at the same time I was falling in love with creating --- people were falling for my art. I’m grateful every day to have a job that allows me to work from home, that helped me pay for my senior year of college, and that lets me bring other people some joy in the form of silly little accessories. 

Clay has shaped me as much as I’ve shaped it, and I hope this passion and my shop are a part of my life for a long time to come :)

Why “Pieces by Pie”

I originally launched my shop in June 2020 under the name Creme Cloud, and operated that way for over a year. In November of 2021, I decided I needed a change. Creme Cloud was a beautiful name, but it didn’t really indicate anything about me or my business to the casual passerby. After a bit of deliberation, I rebranded as Pieces by Pie.

I’m sure you’re wondering “If your name is Ryan, why Pieces by Pie?”

My personal favorite of my nicknames has always been Ry-Pie, coined by my unlce when I was a teeny tiny thing. It might be “childish”, but even as I felt myself maturing and my brand growing and developing, I found myself drawn towards that name. It is sweet, warm and comfortable. These are feelings I strive to embody, both in the life I live and in the art I create. I thought Pie would be the perfect name for me, for my shop, and for my brand going forward~

It is also quite fitting considering my love of baked goods and my tendency to turn to them for artistic inspiration :)