Beneath the LilyPad

Motherhood, grief, and a global pandemic inspired Megan Minton to take her passion for creating and turn it into something much more. 

Today she is the founder of Beneath the LilyPad, an Etsy shop, which features a variety of handcrafted items from unique polymer clay jewelry to watercolor paintings and crocheted scarves and hats.

Minton says that about five years ago when she was pregnant with her daughter, Lily, she lost her mother. 

“Mom was a phenomenal artist who alway wanted to have her own shop but never really got the chance,” says Minton. “When the pandemic hit and life turned upside down for a few months, I decided it was time to put my passion into action and get serious about my little labor of love.”

The wife and mother to two girls is both an educator and a crafter, and aims to create products for her shop that everyone will love. 

When you shoop Beneath the LilyPad, you’ll find that the majority of items in the shop are polymer clay creations. 

“Many of these are earrings with unique, intricate designs that are made in small batches,” she explains. “Beyond this, customers will find hand-crocheted items in the cooler months, and these are almost always made from my own imagination, rather than a pattern. Lastly, there are always a variety of small watercolor paintings available – perfect for a desk frame or as part of that gallery wall in your living room!”

When Minton creates her items, she says that she remains focused on making art with a purpose and things that have purpose. 

“Customers, who often become friends, will always find something new here – there’s truly a little something for everyone,” she says. “I also accept custom orders and love helping customers bring special ideas to life.”

As you’re shopping for the holiday season, Minton says that Beneath the LilyPad is great for those on your list.

She says that new items are being added to the shop almost daily. “I always offer free shipping on any size order, and ship out quickly,” she says. “Most jewelry in the shop is $20 or less, and I’m always happy to package things up with a little extra pizzazz when customers mark their order as a gift at checkout!”

Minton says that she’s working on new items for her shop, and loves to incorporate real-life events int her work, testing our new techniques, and letting the change in season guide her through her designs. 

“I make pieces I love,” she says. “Specifically, I’m working on a polymer clay collection now called ‘Shattered Glass Ceiling,’ which will include hair clips, pendants, and earrings – an homage to the huge, glass ceiling shattered recently by Kamala Harris.”

To learn more about Beneath the LilyPad, click here. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram.