D.I.F.F. curation stands for "Do It For Fun," and that phrase really sums up this whole creative journey. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and now based in Orlando, Florida, over 20 years were spent working in corporate as an executive assistant, planning everything from fundraisers to in‑person team‑building events and curated gifting moments. Through that experience, it became clear that people light up when they receive something thoughtful, tactile, and a little bit unexpected—and handmade gifts always had the biggest impact. That realization sparked D.I.F.F. curation: a way to create universal, feel-good pieces that still feel tailored and elevated. Today, each collection is about translating that event-planning eye for detail into objects that make everyday spaces feel special, luxurious, and fun—without the intimidating price tag.

When did you start creating? Was there a specific moment or inspiration that led you to it?

D.I.F.F. curation started as a quiet post‑pandemic hobby—just playing with hydrostone, color, and shape to unwind after long days in corporate life. Over time, after years of planning office events, team-building experiences, and curated gifts, it became clear that people felt genuinely seen when they received something handmade, tactile, and thoughtfully chosen. That realization turned casual experimentation into a true practice: exploring how pigment behaves, how forms interact with light, and how a small object can change the feeling of a room. The specific turning point was recognizing that this “just for fun” creative outlet could become a way to offer boutique-level décor that feels personal, luxurious, and still comfortably accessible—pieces that carry the warmth of a gift and the polish of high-end design.

What emotions, messages, or themes do you hope to convey through your work?

The work is meant to feel like a deep exhale and a spark of joy at the same time. It blends influences from brutalism, wabi-sabi, and modern organic design—clean lines and bold forms, softened by gentle curves, subtle texture, and the beauty of small imperfections. The message is that your home can feel curated and luxurious without being rigid or "perfect." Each piece is an invitation to slow down, notice materials and form, and enjoy objects that look like they belong in a gallery but feel right at home on your shelf or coffee table. At its core, the theme is simple: do it for fun, embrace character over perfection, and let your space reflect a lived-in, elevated, and deeply personal kind of beauty.

What materials, tools, or techniques do you use, and why did you choose them? (This can include digital tools, traditional techniques, or unique processes.)

The core of the work is hydrostone, a gypsum cement that cures into a smooth, stone-like finish and holds shape, texture, and color beautifully—perfect for pieces that feel substantial and sculptural but still refined.

Hydrostone is measured on a digital scale with carefully weighed pigments and pigment powders, then poured into silicone molds to achieve consistent forms while still allowing for small, wabi-sabi variations in marbling and texture.

For candles and scented pieces, only clean, no VOC fragrance oils and natural waxes like coconut, soy, and beeswax are used, avoiding harsh chemicals so the pieces feel as good as they look.

Surfaces are sealed with eco-friendly, water-based sealers, food-grade sealants where needed, and acrylic gloss finishes when a sleek, elevated sheen is desired. Tools like mixing sticks, spatulas, and other small apparatuses support a careful, small-batch process that prioritizes control, safety, and quality.

Altogether, these materials and methods are chosen to balance durability, beauty, and a lighter environmental footprint, creating objects that feel luxurious, tactile, and consciously made.

What was the biggest challenge you faced in your creative journey, and how did you overcome it?

Working with hydrostone has been a humbling and rewarding teacher. One early challenge was simply getting pigment to behave—there were many rounds of trial and error trying to achieve a very specific color, only to learn that the material had its own personality and limits. That process involved a lot of research, testing, and yes, some costly "learning experiments," but it deepened understanding of how hydrostone moves, cures, and reacts. A memorable shift came when the focus moved from forcing a perfect mental image to staying open to what the material wanted to do. Sometimes the outcome is even better than the original vision, and that flexibility now shapes how custom ideas and special requests are approached. Instead of rigidly chasing perfection, the priority is creating something beautiful, durable, and aligned with what is actually possible—while still delighting the person who will live with the piece.

Do you remember your first sale? How did it feel?

The first sale came through a friend who had received one of the pieces as a gift and styled it in her home. Someone visiting saw it, asked about it, and asked for contact information to commission a custom tray with specific colors as a gift for their daughter who lived overseas. It felt incredibly special to know that something made by hand in a home studio in the U.S. would travel not only to another state, but all the way to another country to be part of someone's everyday life. That moment made the work feel real—like this wasn't just a hobby, but something that could connect strangers, carry love across distance, and maybe even grow into "a real thing."

Has a customer ever shared a special story or reason for purchasing your work?
If yes, we'd love to hear more! What was their story?

Yes—one of the most meaningful stories came from a customer who wanted a piece to leave at a loved one's cemetery. They had a very specific vision: something functional and beautiful, but also deeply symbolic, that could hold space for their feelings and memories. Being trusted to translate that idea into a tangible object felt incredibly humbling. It was more than décor; it became part of how they honored and stayed connected to someone they had lost. Knowing that the work could support someone in a moment like that—helping them express love, grief, and remembrance—reinforced why creating intentional, handmade pieces matters so much.

Is there a particular piece or product that customers seem to love the most? What makes it special?

Customers are especially drawn to the Arch Drip Tray—a sculptural, multi-use piece that works as a jewelry tray, catchall, display object, and plant drip tray all in one. It has a substantial, weighty feel and a signature arch shape with deep geometric grooves that give it a bold, brutalist-inspired presence while still feeling soft and organic. The curved surface is where marbling really shines; pigments swirl and settle in ways that turn each tray into a one-of-a-kind artwork, so no two ever look exactly the same. Functionally, people love that it elevates everyday use: the grooves channel and disperse water when used under planters, and the porous hydrostone slowly absorbs moisture so the bottom of the pot stays drier. Because it can sit flat or stand upright at a 90-degree angle, customers style it on bookshelves, bedside tables, and entryways—as a backdrop, a catchall, or a resting place for jewelry—making it a favorite for both its beauty and clever versatility.

What are your future plans? What do you hope to achieve through your creative business?

Looking ahead, D.I.F.F. curation is about exploring new ways to help people find pieces they truly love—without relying on loud or overly salesy approaches. There is a desire to build a business that feels aligned with real life: thoughtful, sustainable, and rooted in genuine connection rather than constant pressure to perform online. That means developing personal systems and processes that support creativity first, from testing new molds and color stories to expanding into fresh formats of décor and candle design. Entrepreneurship, in this vision, is less about chasing trends and more about building a slow, meaningful practice that can grow over time.

The future of D.I.F.F. curation is filled with experimentation, intentional collaborations, and collections that continue to make luxury-inspired, handmade pieces feel accessible, fun, and refreshingly human.

Are you working on any exciting new projects or collections?

I'm extra excited about my seasonal pieces right now—think sweet heart trays and heart-shaped diffusers for Valentine's Day, plus sculptural egg candles that are perfect for Easter baskets and spring décor. Each one is made to feel like a little love note or tiny art piece you can gift or keep. I've also been playing with my new Cricut, adding fun touches to packaging and designs so the unboxing feels just as special as the piece inside.

Why did you choose to join ZART? How has our platform helped your creative business?

Seeing a business willing to help me get pieces in front of people all over the world who genuinely value craft. Knowing there's a team that understands the creative journey—and actively works to highlight it—takes some of the pressure off and allows more energy to go back into creating.