Colorful, enthusiastic, and deeply rooted in community, Nara Bopp’s products feel instantly joyful and unmistakably Rumpus Room. Through her jewelry and accessories, she brings iridescence, humor, and intention into everyday moments. We reached out to Nara to hear about her creative beginnings, the evolution of the iconic Rumpus Room, and how crafting, community, and self-expression beautifully intertwine in her work today.

Nara, let’s introduce yourself and tell everyone how your path led you to Moab?

 

My name is Nara! I make bright & colorful jewelry and accessories. I moved to Moab with a single suitcase  in 2013 having just turned 22 without having ever been to Utah. Through working as a VISTA at WabiSabi, I connected with incredible people, causes, and networks that are still central to my life today. 12 years later, I have a basement studio and a sturdy little jewelry business! While I appreciate the breathtaking landscape and endless recreational opportunities, it is the people and the lifestyle that stole my heart: Moab has a sense of community like nowhere else I’ve ever been, and I have met so many incredible friends.

 

Can you take us back to little Nara and her creative spirit? 

 

Since I can remember, I was a highly-tactile and very artistically inclined child. My mom kept a bin full of recyclables and craft supplies high up on top of a cabinet in the kitchen, and she used to bring it down for me and let me occupy myself for hours. I loved the sensory experience of making things come to life with my hands. As I grew into a weird adolescent, I forever collected wild clothing from thrift stores with the intention of “altering,” which almost never happened. I loved (and still love!) to cycle obsessively through different art projects, getting overly excited about a new medium and stocking up on supplies and staying up all night bookbinding and print making and doing paper mache and generally making a huge mess in my room. It wasn't until I discovered a passion for earring making that I realized I could actually build a lasting business that I would never get tired of! I think it's because earrings are so versatile, and as I always say, you can own at least 365 pairs!

 

If you could freeze one moment in your creative process and live inside it forever, which would it be?

 

For earrings, it’s the second I put together a prototype that is even better than I was envisioning. I occasionally find myself in this dreamy state where everything goes perfectly and comes together in a way that feels guided by a higher power, like I’m floating outside of myself and just watching the pieces be assembled.

 

Have your creative adventures always felt easy and intuitive? What’s been the biggest lesson for you? 

 

At times, it’s the easiest thing in the world. Often, though, I find myself going in a thousand directions at once, unable to sustain interest in a product for long enough to properly promote it or build a following. The main lesson I’ve learned over and over again is to remember to love what I make: I want to make things that I would be proud to wear or happy to hang in my house. It keeps me rooted and able to return to my core value of not just producing things I think will sell. Of course, I will always make things for friends by request!

 

I can tell creating comes from a deep sense of enjoyment for you. Are there ways that you manage your creative time? Is it a top priority or more of a side hobby for you?

 

It is always a top-priority, and in many ways, a basic need. But the more “business” I tell myself I have to do, the less motivated I am to work. For instance, I’ll often find myself spending hours shopping online for packaging or supplies which always ends up being less productive than actually just sitting down and making something. Sometimes, to reset, I’ll focus on just making something for fun, or with no clear objective.

 

That sounds like some good creative flow! What is your process from idea to finished piece?

 

It usually goes one of two different ways: I envision something, spend hours slightly tweaking the design in illustrator, cutting  out little pieces from a variety of materials with my laser, and finding repeatedly that they either don’t fit or don’t look quite right. I then either give up completely or come back to it another day. Other times, it’s an extremely intuitive and simple process: I think of something, mock it up, and an hour later it’s in my hands. I also like to make big piles of different pieces and then work in batches while I consume hours and hours of mediocre television. No two days look the same in the Rumpus Room!

 

It’s a good reminder that as artists, we aren’t creative machines and riding that wave of energy always gives the best results. Is there a particular part in creating a pair of earrings that feels the most challenging?

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to take something from ideation all the way to the “sales” stage without losing confidence or motivation. Creating is by far the best part, but the steps required to get a piece out into the world can be challenging, especially when I prefer to make so many different varieties and styles rather than mass-producing specific styles.

 

If your creative style had a soundtrack, what song would it be?

 

Maybe “Woo!” by Remi Wolf? More the feeling less the lyrics! Also Rasberry Beret by Prince.

 

How do you source your materials?

 

Much of my acrylic is from “off-cuts” from a company in Salt Lake City. I buy mixed lots of the leftover bits and pieces from signs and other big projects, which feels like a great way to use excess material. I also save every single scrap I make and am currently experimenting with ways to press them into recycled sheets.

 

How do you navigate self-expression and promoting your art during complex cultural and political challenges? Do you believe art plays a part in moments like these?

 

I think that being able to accessorize and make a statement with the way you present yourself is a beautiful and essential piece of showing up, whether that’s to a protest or virtually or just as a caring community member. Again, it can feel very difficult to move forward as an artist when things are so dire. Often, I feel that promoting my work seems trivial and in poor taste. It’s been helpful for me to go back to the idea that art is resistance, and that all movements need visual power behind them. I think self-expression is also increasingly important, however, that looks. I also recognize that this is a difficult time financially for many, and will always do what I can to make my art more accessible and affordable to those experiencing hardship.

 

Do you have a particular pair that holds special meaning to you?

 

Last year, I finally perfected a snail earring design. This is meaningful because of my logo, the snail, which is actually inspired by a lamp I purchased from WabiSabi my first year in town: a garish bright-green glittery snail-shaped lamp with a dingy little lampshade. I’ve had it in every bedroom I’ve had in Moab, and will never let it go, even though both of it’s little eyeballs have broken off repeatedly. Anyway! Making the “perfect” snail felt intimidating, so I was happy when I finally made snail earrings that I love looking at and love to wear!

 

What is your relationship with social media as a form of marketing?

 

I have a very hard time having a consistent presence on social media, but it’s also been invaluable for my business. I’ve stopped pressuring myself to post when I don’t feel like it, and have relied more on physical selling in the last year or so: mainly one or two markets a year and then of course Moab Made! I think it’s most important to me to be authentic, and to not give into the pressures of the algorithm.

 

What would your dream studio look like?

 

A huge space with several laser cutters, endless floor to ceiling shelving and pegboards, and a big open space for photo shoots and events! It would be very colorful and inviting and somehow perfectly organized. And also full of colorful chandeliers. And dogs.

 

Yes! I can totally envision that for you and hope that happens one day! We absolutely love how fun,colorful, and unique your products are! What are you the most proud of or value most in the products you create? 

 

I think that something I really value about my work is that it looks a little different than a lot of things you see in the southwest. I wanted to prioritize big bold colorful eye-catching styles and not limit myself to the more traditional muted desert palette. I grew up in a city and like to bring a little bit of a more colorful chaotic style into my work, but have also created something that, thanks to my loyal supporters and beautiful friends, has become uniquely Moab as well. I also use materials that allow me to price my work more affordably, because I want people to be able to accessorize freely and wildly and have as many different earrings as humanly possible.

 

What are your thoughts on how your creativity is woven within your community?

 

Oh my god, I LOVE my Moab audience. I feel that Rumpus Room is very much “of a place” and that place is Moab. Specifically, I think my work really shines for events and parties that require dressing up, which has long been a passion of Moab. I get so much out of showing up at events like Pride and seeing my earrings on so many different people!

 

Any ideas for the next chapter of your artistic journey?

 

I am excited to keep on making art that delights me, which will likely always include earrings! I will also be expanding more into making custom charms and charm jewelry and accessories, with a physical charm bar at Arteesian, which I’m so excited about. I will also likely be leading some workshops and pop-ups in that space and in other spaces in Moab in the future.

 

Are there any artists or people in your life that you feel influenced your creative journey?

 

My family is very artistic, all in very different ways, and encouraged me to make art from an early age and into the present day, which I greatly appreciate. My husband also continually believes in all of my impulsive art initiatives and of course supports me at markets. My friends are my biggest influence and audience, always. And Rebecca has done wonders for both my confidence as an artist and for the greater artistic presence of Moab!

Nara’s work is a reminder that creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum and can be playful, powerful, and deeply rooted in community all at once. As Rumpus Room continues to grow and evolve it’s clear that her work invites us all to accessorize freely, dress wildly, and find joy in making, and wearing, art. Thank you so much Nara for sharing more of your creative spirit with us. What’s the best way for folks to contact you or find your products?

 

As mentioned, I’m not great at social media, but I’m still fairly active on Instagram (@rumpus__room) and will always try to respond. I also have a website: rumpusroommoab.com. And you can find me at Moab Made and Arteesian!