Today we’d like to introduce you to Avery Arthelia.
Hi Avery, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been an artist at heart – From painting in my kindergarten class, to falling in love with writing at an early age, to aspiring to be “like Steven Spielberg”, and direct movies when I grew up. This core need to create followed me into adulthood, when I came up with the name “Funeral Slut Creations”. I was 18 at the time, had just moved from the small town of Mariposa to Sacramento, and was beginning to find my footing as an artist and adult. My creative vision mixed together death, sexuality, nature, and vibrancy. Towards the beginning, I mostly made abstract paintings with striking and contrasting colors. Although I do still make this kind of visual art, my primary focus changed during the COVID 19 lockdown. I had moved to the Seattle area in late 2019, with no idea how bad things would soon become. I was in a creative drought and struggling with the fact that I had no close friends in Seattle, and no way to forge new connections with the lockdown. I began experimenting with jewelry because it felt novel – just a little hobby to try out. I quickly discovered how much I loved it, incorporating bones, a bit of wire, and a small selection of beads at first.
I had always dreamed of being a professional artist, but, like many of us, internalized opinions like “that isn’t a real job”, “art is just something you do on the side – you can’t make a living that way!” And, for a long time, I truly believed that. I tried to find a traditional career that I could love, dabbling in veterinary medicine and funeral service, but even at the end of the best days I would think “this isn’t my dream”. I moved back to Sacramento, a city I was longing to return to anyway, and began applying to sell my jewelry at low-cost or free markets. My booth started out simple and small, as did my product selection, but I was inspired to continue creating by the people who saw value in my art, and the Sacramento art community as a whole. Over the span of a couple of years, with plenty of trial and error, and a fervent (almost delusional) belief in myself, I found the markets where my niche, unusual art was celebrated. Not only that, but cherished by enough people that I was able to cover the majority of my bills. I remember being in shock, shedding happy tears on my way home from a market in Oakland, where I had just made the entirety of my rent in one day. My original dream was just to make a meager living from my art, and I had believed in myself enough to finally achieve it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey thus far has not been an easy one. Although I would have to write an entire book to include all of my hardships, the first major one that played into my art career was coming out as transgender in high school. Small towns tend to not be so kind towards minorities; for better and for worse, the transphobia I experienced catapulted me away from Mariposa and into the safe arms of the Sacramento queer community. By this time, I had already been struggling deeply with mental illness (primarily Bipolar 2 and Borderline Personality Disorder), and part of the inspiration for the business name “Funeral Slut Creations” was my deeply rooted suicidality, and art being my primary outlet.
Further into my adult life, I was also diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. Discovering more about my neurodivergence, in addition to Bipolar 2 and BPD, was partially a freeing experience. It also made me seriously consider what kind of life would be sustainable for me, as a disabled person. The last full time job I had before taking on art full time was in the funeral service industry. Shortly after my Autism diagnosis, I hit what I can now identify as autistic burnout. I quit my job on the spot, unable to keep pushing forward, and ended up going to a psychiatric hospital for the third time in my life.
I knew I would have to find another way to make money, since even applying for disability is an extremely difficult process, and it can take years to be approved. I’m so grateful that this path ended up working out for me, and my flexible schedule gives me the time I desperately need to continue recovering from long-term autistic burnout.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The crown jewel of my work tends to be my bone jewelry. I collect ethically sourced bones (which, to me, means that the animal was not killed for the purpose of making art or taking a “trophy”), use colorful wire to wrap them, add charms, and make them into necklaces, earrings, and pant chains. I also love making other types of jewelry including chain chokers, gothic or pastel pant chains, stretch bracelets, and beanies with removable decorations like beaded strands, chain, and forehead charms. On the side I still love to sell prints and make paintings. When it comes to painting, “the bigger the better!” I say. One of my favorite creations is a 48×36 inch painting that depicts a cat skull, flowers, fruit, bones, and plenty of fun patterns and colors.
The biggest thing that I think sets me apart from others is my combination of gothic and “cutesy” aesthetic. Think bone jewelry with strawberry charms, pink and black jewelry, and gothic floral.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably not surprised to hear that creating is one of my biggest joys. But a few other things that bring me happiness are being around animals (I have several pets at home including tarantulas and cockatiels), my own spirituality and mindfulness practice, attending emo concerts, exploring the local queer kink scene, and simple pleasures like reading and herbal tea.
Pricing:
- Beaded pant chains: $45
- Layered chain chokers: $35
- Simple chain chokers: $25
- Simple bone necklaces: $30
- Complex bone necklaces: $45
Contact Info:
