Meet Tiny Galaxies owner Sara Broski

Being a mom to 1-year-old Jake and four cats, growing her business and brainstorming new creative ideas are the things Sara Broski can most likely be found doing. The Nanticoke native had a roller coaster of a path in a graphic design career and decided she needed a new creative outlet, so she began Tiny Galaxies, her handmade jewelry business. A graduate of Nanticoke High School, she studied fine arts at Syracuse University and is a King’s College alumna with a bachelor’s degree in communication. She and her husband, Ryan, live in Kingston with their son and four cats.

Meet Sara Broski…

Describe your creative process for this jewelry and why the name “Tiny Galaxies” is fitting.

I start off by making a shape out of clay and I’ll sand it. From there I have a two-part silicone to make the mold. Once the mold is complete, I usually have to make a bunch of them. That takes a while. The resin part is another two-part process. I pour the resin and glitter, stones, or whatever I’m using into the mold. It takes about a day to cure completely and harden. Then I have to sand it and do another layer then sand it more. I have to make it into a piece of jewelry, so I make the hooks and other pieces.

What got you interested in working with resin?

I’ve always painted, drawn and sculpted. I was looking for something new. I’ve always loved jewelry and little things and have been attracted to the miniature stuff. I saw other people doing super kitschy resin stuff, and that wasn’t my style. I wanted to make stuff that was pretty but less kitschy. I realized I could make molds and make things out of complete scratch, and that really attracted me to it. I knew the more I could make something from scratch, the less likely someone would be to copy it.

How does this style represent you as an artist and/or person?

I’ve always worked very small, even when I used to paint. Everyone would tell me to do things bigger scale, but I never could. That’s just not what I intuitively do. The “tiny” part and the “glitter” part definitely represent me. It’s not super in-your-face; it’s subtle glitter. If you look at me, I think the work represents my aesthetic.

Describe the patience this art requires, and what kept you interested in perfecting it.

When I have an idea, I just really need to figure it out. I’m one of those people who that will drive me crazy until I can make what I want to make. I’m self-motivated when it comes to the creative type. I like to figure things out, too. That’s probably why I did web design and coding. If I want to make something, I’ll figure it out, and I’ve always been like that. I’ve learned if I just throw in the towel the minute it doesn’t work, I won’t get anywhere.

What about your creative art style makes you most proud?

The fact that I’ve taught myself to do it. I’ve never had anyone show me how to do it. I’ve learned through Google and YouTube and trial and error. It takes a lot more to run a creative business than you would think.

How has your business evolved since recently becoming a mom?

It’s been a huge change working around Jake. Before, I’d wake up and come work. Now, I wake up and take care of him and do my work when he is napping or more on weekends. I also find myself less easily distracted by other things. I focus more to get my work done during his nap because I know I’m not going to get it done when he’s awake. I guess I’ve learned to be much more efficient.

What have you learned about yourself in the nearly 10 years of running and owning a business?

I’ve gotten a lot more patient. I used to get so upset if I ever got a negative review or if people said my work didn’t look good. Five years ago, that would have upset me so much, and now, being a mom, I have so many more important things to worry about. I’ve learned you can get through anything. I had crazy postpartum insomnia, and I was sleeping maybe three hours a night for months. Between that, having a new baby and trying to run the business, I don’t know how I survived it, but I did. My husband has been a huge help, too. We make a such a great team. I couldn’t do this without him. Now I know I’m much tougher than I was.

What other hobbies or interests do you have?  

My hobby is probably my work right now. If I’m not making my normal stuff, I’m looking for new ideas for my jewelry. I do like hanging out and eating cheese and drinking some wine at the end of the night. When I’m not working, my husband and I love watching “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or other shows on Netflix or Amazon.

Have you ever received advice or a gesture that helped motivate you to get through a difficult time?

My parents have always taught me to not back down from anyone or anything and not to quit easily. I think that’s where I get my perseverance. I’ve had some difficult times, but it is just such a passion, and the motivation from my husband never made me think it wasn’t worth it. I let the bad things that happen make me angry instead of upset, and the anger usually fuels me to improve myself in some way. I put the anger toward self-improvement.