MAMA CHICKPEA ON ETSY
POLYMER CLAY
Shelly Arroyo
Collage of past Etsy listings, © Shelly Arroyo
You can find my Etsy shop HERE. Mama Chickpea on Etsy is where this all started in 2016.
As an adult, I’ve dabbled in various projects such as soft sculpture (sewing), knitting/felting fibers, and various forms of clay. I traveled the northeast United States, selling my creations, known to many as “Chickpea.” It was with this traditional background, that I fell in love with the arts. You can read more about my early show years, HERE.
“Softies Collection,” circa 2002, © Shelly Arroyo
One of the skills I acquired during these early years was the manipulation of polymer clay. It started with accessory buttons on my line of Softies, followed by my line of felted purses (Miss Chickpea). Upon moving to Texas, I desired another evolution and played with clay further.
Custom requests over the years have aided my creative juices. They can be a challenge like no other!
Miss Chickpea purse entitled “Not Sari,” made from recycled silk, 2005, © Shelly Arroyo
In 2016, I established my online store on Etsy, entitled “Mama Chickpea.” Here, I have created a line of personalized, keepsake ornaments. It has gained quite a following over the years. Every season I get rave reviews, which help fuel this creative Mama.
“Etsy Reviews 1,” 2025, © Shelly Arroyo
“Etsy Reviews 2,” 2025, © Shelly Arroyo
“Etsy Reviews 3,” 2025, © Shelly Arroyo
“Etsy Reviews 4,” 2025, © Shelly Arroyo
“Etsy Special Order Item,” polymer clay sculptures, 2025, © Shelly Arroyo
Alongside regular orders, I have grown a following of faithful collectors. Every season I receive custom requests that help fuel my creative Mama juices. Sometimes, they pose quite the challenge!
Disclaimer: Etsy prices vary a lot from this site, as the fees collected for each sale (not what I earn from the sale but the fees collected) vary between Etsy and the available small business options. One very specific example is how Etsy requires a shop to add shipping to their items. It isn’t transparent, and one of my many complaints about Etsy, as they force you to incorporate part of the shipping into the base price for the item (to compete with cheap shipping options like Amazon or Walmart.) They also collect fees from shipping, so the full shipping price collected does not actually go to ship the item. Whenever possible, please always buy direct from small artisans, as the fees collected for sales can sometimes be as high as 1/3 the total price collected for the sale on Etsy.
MEET THE AUTHOR
All content and artwork © Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea.
Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea!
I have been a graphic designer excelling in desktop publishing programs, dabbling in web design, and making brand content for twenty years. I have owned my own brick-and-mortar studios, and developed my own brands. Designing user-centric UX, beautiful graphics and meeting deadlines are some of my strongest skills…but don’t forget my killer macaroni and cheese!
PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my bamBEANos, in the best way this Mama Chickpea can. Art is my “balance” to life and I enjoy all the DIY therapy I can handle! To learn more about Mama Chickpea, click HERE.
XOXO-
YES, ADD ME TO YOUR EMAILS!
When I’m not learning something new, I love creating anything arts and crafts, watching comedy, and cuddling with my crew — all alongside being immersed in my love of all things design.
Join me! A journey is always better with friends. 🩷
MY MISSION
© Copyright Mama Chickpea 2026.