Meet Shun Johnson | Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shun Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shun, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My journey into the bling world began in 2012 where I started out making t-shirts once; I’ve done it for a while I wanted to know and learn more. I went on with life and forgot all about the t-shirt business until the summer of 2014 when life hit and hit hard. I found out I had stage 4 Ovarian Cancer while I was undergoing Chemotherapy. A fellow friend that was also going through chemo one day was there making some shoes. I didn’t know what she was doing at first, so I just watched for a while. I made sure I sat next to her the next time we had treatment because I wanted to be nosey and see what she was doing. We were there for a few hours so I asked as many questions that I could possibly think of and believe it or not she didn’t mind me asking because she answered them all. When I got home that evening, I couldn’t get those shoes and her off my mind, that same evening I made up my mind that I would figure out a way to make some. My friend gave me some different things to do to get started, but unfortunately, she couldn’t teach me all that she wanted before losing her battle to Cancer.
After years of research and many trial and errors and lots of practice. I now have a thriving business blinging for clients all over the word, also teaching new blingers the business. In the beginning of my journey, I was always wanting to pick the brains of those who were already in the business. But as many of you know, getting information from them was pretty much a waste of time, and no one would respond with help. I can’t say I blame them for not sharing, this is a competitive business at the end of the day. But I dared to be different, I made it a mission of mine that if anyone asked for help, I would give them the knowledge I have and what has helped me.

The Bling Bar,LLC was established in 2012 with one mission: to bring high-quality bling to the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. My passion for excellence inspired me in the beginning and continues to drive me today. I pride myself on offering a superior shopping experience and in the long-term relationships we’ve built with our customers.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I bling out custom items from tumblers to sneakers to portraits, well basically anything I can stick a stone on I will bling it. I also teach classes on how to bling from beginners to advanced. Also, I have a YouTube page with tutorials on how to bling.  I am most proud of being a grandmother aka “Hunni” to my beautiful granddaughter Mykah Michelle. This is why I’m still here, for her. She is my WHY…. What sets me apart from others is my willingness to step out of the box and to not be afraid to do things differently.  I’m very much a risk-taker. I go so far out of the box, it scares me sometimes, my imagination is very wild. The biggest risk I’ve taken in my career was when I was asked to bling out a canvas portrait of Young Dolph, something I never done before nor seen. But I did it and now I have mastered it and have done over 20 portraits now.  The biggest risk I’ve taken in my personal life was to stop taking all the medicine the Dr. was giving and putting ALL my FAITH in God; I did it all the natural way. And I know if I trust him, he will pull me through. I know he has not let me go through all this to just fail; I know he has me covered.  Nothing in life comes without risk, you just have to take a deep breath and jump, believe me your parachute will open. Just keep trusting and believing.  I know now, I wasn’t ready even though I thought I was, I was trying to rush things when I should have just waited.  He will place me on the right path when he knows the time is right…. Please know that there are stumbling blocks along the way, but all things work together for the good of them that love God.

I don’t just Bling I Blang

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I don’t hang out or even go out that much….. I know it sounds ironic but I have social anxiety, but it is something I’m working on….. I’m always working and trying to grow my business and brand…..

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This journey has not been an easy road…. I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my kids, Royce and Alexis. They have been by my side through it all, they have seen the best and worst of me, dealing with my illness and business and sometimes both at the same time. I was diagnosed with Cancer a few more times during this process, some days were better than others. There were times where I was unable to work due to being in so much pain, it would be times where I couldn’t move from the leg pains. On this journey I have severe nerve damage and currently undergoing treatments for that as of today. I still have my good days and bad days, but God is taking great care of me. My grandmother always told me “Tough times don’t always last BUT tough people do”. I figured God thought I was one of his toughest soldiers because geezzz them times were hard.  I was battling with depression and anxiety  through it all. I have lost everything I owned and even been homeless and life really had me at a point where I questioned everything, I didn’t understand why I was going through so much so young. I had thoughts of just giving up, and I was even at a point in life where I had an exit plan, and was going to put it in place. But my faith was so much bigger than the fears I had. I have an awesome praying family and support system and looking at my kids every day at how strong they were, while fighting with me going through what I was going through, they were my reason for not giving up and quitting on life. There were times where I was going to execute my plan and say forget it. I can remember times where I didn’t want to wake up or even had thoughts about what it would be like to not be here anymore, and what would life be better if I wasn’t going through all this and I’m so glad I didn’t because God’s plans were so much bigger for me. I look back now and I’m so thankful just to wake up every day and hear my kids’ voices, and now being able to see my granddaughter every day, this is life. They are why I do it, they are why I live, they don’t know it, but they really saved my life, and I’m ever so grateful for my Royce and Alexis.

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