CREATURE TEACHER

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background.

My desire has always been directed toward animals and wildlife education, teaching the public about the wonders of the natural world, working with and caring for native and exotic animals in an educational setting. I have a degree in Wildlife Biology and Veterinary Technology.Early in my career, I was in a position responsible for a variety of 45 species of animals and was the beginning of my need to educate as many people as I could to introduce animals including their histories. I was fortunate to have contacts that hired me as an animal handler on several national television shows such as The Morning Show, Good Morning America, Maury Povich Show and the Steve Harvey Show. I also was invited to appear on local TV programs including Channel 13 and a radio program in the Finger Lakes area. I love sharing my knowledge and stories about the animals I have worked with. So I started my wildlife education company, Creature Teacher.

My own animal ambassadors (including a North American porcupine, African-crested porcupine, legless lizard, Marine toad, Soft-side toad,Russian tortoise to mention a few) and I were invited to schools, libraries, nursing homes, private parties, and even a County Fair or two. As for many, when Covid hit, my trajectory changed. The pandemic closed all the teaching/scheduling opportunities for Creature Teacher.

What made you decide to open your own business?

I wanted to invest my time and energy into something I love. I love all my animals and I need to be creative. I was able to build my vision instead of someone else’s and I was able to smart enough to know where to best spend time to achieve results. Not to live in “status quo.”To strive to be unique and to go the extra mile to deliver quality. see my creation grow.

What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?

When I sell a piece of my jewelry or artwork and I see the joy it brings people. This is my reward. I also get to see my creativity flourish.

How did you come up with the name Creature Teacher Jewelry?

Creature Teacher Jewelry is actually an off-shot from my wildlife education show. I wanted people from Rochester and surrounding areas who were clients to know I was expanding and evolving. I still have a porcupine, who naturally sheds many of his quills naturally daily.

What have you found to be the best way to promote your business and gain new customers?

What makes you hustle? What does the word “hustle” mean to you? What makes me hustle is the excitement of creating a product that is different and the ability to make people smile. Hustling gives me the freedom to dream bigger.

What hustle means to me is to be

I have been fortunate to have a great base of customers who support my new venture of jewelry which incorporates porcupine quills and semi-precious stones. I enjoy craft shows where I get to share my stories of life with porcupines. It isn’t just children who like to learn about these adventures and facts about porcupines.

In addition, I am currently have my jewelry displayed at LaLa’s of Webster and with Holly-Wood at BayTowne Plaza. My artwork, is primarily of wildlife, done in ink and pencil, replicated as pictures and note cardsI am in the process of investigating various websites and am anxious to begin offering my products online soon.

What has been the best piece of advice you have ever been given? Keep your word and do what you say you’ll do. It shows your integrity.

What made you choose porcupine quills for your jewelry designs material?

I own a porcupine. I could never bring myself to throw away the quills he sheds. I have always thought the the quills were to beautiful to just toss, so I collected them. It got to a point where I knew I had to use them for something. He sheds just about everyday. I always fascinated by jewelry design, so I started learning how to incorporate quills into jewelry fashion.

When did you start your business, and who inspired you?

I officially started my jewelry business during the covid pandemic. I had the time to learn what works and what didn’t work as far as creating the jewelry.

My grandfather is who inspired me the most. He was a very creative and artistic man. I grew up watching and sometimes helping him do simple tasks while he created his art projects. He taught me to think outside the box to expand my creativity.

What is one thing you have learned being an entrepreneur?

Failure is not the end of everything, but the chance at a new beginning.

What is your favorite piece you have ever created and why?

Honestly, all the jewelry I make is my favorite. I maybe attracted to a certain stone I use but the jewelry I make is apart of who I am. My jewelry reflects my personality or mood as I create a design.

How do you come up with new design ideas?

All of my jewelry is unique. They maybe slightly similar in design but there are no two alike. I usually start with a stone or bead that I want to use. Once I have the right focal piece, I build a vision of how the rest will look. From there I just put it together. It is similar to a puzzle.

Do you actually have porcupines that live with you? What is that like?

I do own an African-crested porcupine. His name is Mr. Bean. He is the largest of the porcupine species. Bean is 45 pounds and about 30 inches long. I have raised him since he was two weeks old and he is now eleven. They live to be about 20 years old.

I have a porcupine because he was my star ambassador in my wildlife education show. I would never suggest that a person own a porcupine as a pet unless they are trained in exotic animal husbandry. That said, Mr Bean is a joy but keeps me on my toes. He can be mischievous. I am lucky with Bean since he has a great personality and mild temperament. Not all African-crested porcupines are as friendly as Bean. He is affectionate, with a personality similar to a dog. Very smart, potty trained, understands a large vocabulary and enjoys a good game of tag where we chase each other. He is a gentle giant to his family and a ham when doing shows.

What is one thing people may not know about the porcupine, especially quills?

NO porcupines throws or shoot quills. This is a myth that comes from the North American porcupine whose quills are designed to easily dislodge from their bodies due to thin follicles and barbed quills. Porcupines will back into you or swat you with the strong tail when defending themselves. It is then that the quills get stuck into the skin. I also owned a North American porcupine. The Africancrested porcupine quills are not barbed. They are strong and very sharp like an ice pick, and are designed to impale a predator such as a lion.

This is such a unique idea. How long will the pieces last?

I wear the jewelry as well as selling it. I have pieces of jewelry that are four years old and are still looking great. The quills are very durable and easy to clean if needed.

What are you plans for your business over the next year?

My plans are to get a website up and running to sell jewelry online. I also am looking into new design techniques