Let’s start from the beginning! Tell us a little about the journey that led you to where you are now.

Whenever anyone asks me how long I’ve been doing ceramics, I typically say about five years. But, the whole truth is that I took my first class when I was a little girl. My parents signed me up for a week-long class one summer when I was in elementary school and they still have every piece I made sprinkled around their house — for better or for worse! My interest in ceramics continued until high school when I opted not to take art classes in favor of courses that would look more impressive on my college applications. It wasn’t until I was close to 30 years old that I finally decided to revisit the craft. I took a 4-week beginners throwing class in December 2018 and instantly knew it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What inspires you? How have your passions and interests changed over the course of your career?

I find myself most inspired by poetry, love, and nature… and often poems about love or nature. I wouldn’t necessarily say that my passions or interests have changed over the course of my career, but rather that I have strayed from them and then found my way back. I’ve had many different income streams in my lifetime — working in retail, as a receptionist, as a hairstylist, as a social media manager, and the list goes on. But ceramics is one of the few things I’ve done that feels like a true expression of my inner world.

What does your day-to-day entail?

My daily routine depends a lot on the day. I currently work as a copywriter for an advertising agency during the week, so that occupies a lot of my Monday-Friday. That being said, you’ll often find me at my wheel after work and some mornings. I often wake up really early to sneak in some ceramics before my work day. I’m lucky to have my studio in my home! Rolling out of bed to get my hands dirty is such a soothing way to start the day. I regularly commit my weekends to ceramics, giving myself dedicated hours to immerse myself in my creative process, which doesn’t always mean I’m actively making. Sometimes it can feel like dilly-dallying and some nights I’ll think back on the day and wonder where all the time went. I used to feel guilty about this, but lately I’ve been trying to embrace it. Time spent doing “nothing” is necessary and actually makes me more productive in the long run, as counterintuitive as it may seem.

What advice would you offer to other female leaders in the business world?

She Made is a project that I deeply care about and have stuffed bits of myself into; Simply put, it matters a lot to me. I can’t claim to be a particularly savvy business person, but my best advice is to make decisions that will ensure your business is something you’ll continue wanting to pour your energy into. For me, that means keeping She Made small — at least for now. I prefer to work with a handful of like-minded businesses so I can handle all my affairs on my own. Trying to expand beyond this stage would feel like I was losing something in a way. Growth and expansion is glorified in the business world (and for good reason!) but sometimes it may not be worth it, especially for artists and makers.

One of She Made Ceramics’ leading philosophies is, “Connection is the wellspring of joy.” Could you elaborate a bit more on how this idea shapes the company and product?

I’ve found that feeling connected to people, your surroundings, art, and the things you use can be a major source of happiness. I try to live in a way that reflects this and make items that support it. My pieces are all made by hand, which creates a connection between myself and the people who have my pieces in their homes. I also try to infuse some humanness into my work by allowing imperfections to make their way into the final pieces. My favorite items are always the ones with little breaks in the glaze or slightly uneven rims because it makes them extra special. Using items that are one-of-a-kind can encourage people to be more present and turn ordinary moments into something more meaningful — and that’s what I hope to do with my products.

You make most of your glazes from scratch. Could you elaborate on this process and how it affects the nature of your products?

Ceramic glazes are made of up raw materials that melt to create glass. Glaze formulation is essentially chemistry. It’s all about mixing compounds and understanding how they will react to temperature. When I first got started I took a glazing course so I could learn the basics. Once I found some recipes I liked, it became almost more like baking. For my white glaze, I follow a specific formula and adapt the amount of colorant depending on the desired result. Sometimes I’m looking for a more opaque glaze, and other times a more transparent one. I like having the ability to tweak my formulas and control the result, and this isn’t possible with commercial glazes. Making my own glazes also adds to the one-of-a-kind nature of my work. Glazes may vary slightly between batches. Even when the formula is exactly the same, sometimes the thickness and viscosity of the glaze can create different results and it makes my work very organic and somewhat magical!

Why should people choose handmade?

Along with the sense of connection that comes from using products that were made by hand, choosing handmade items can mean you’re directly supporting an individual and their craft. In a world where more and more is being created by computers and machines, it’s increasingly important to support artisans. It means the buyer gets a product with more soul and the maker gets to keep doing what they love.

What’s next for She Made? How do you hope to see the impact of your work take form?

This year is going to be a really exciting year for She Made! I have a collaboration in the works and a couple of new collections that will be released in the coming months.

Both collections are made up of one-of-a-kind items — The first, The Reclamation Collection, is something I’ve been working on for the past two years. Every item is made from recycled clay, a mixture of clay scraps and clay water that I’ve turned back into usable material called reclaim. In the making process, I’ve refrained from attempting to make the items perfect. I’ve left rims uneven, saved items that cracked while drying, and didn’t attempt to keep glaze from dripping. The pieces are rustic and lived-in while being usable and eye-catching. This collection is very true to the way I see the world and I’m so excited to share it.

The other collection is a collaborative project I’m working on with an artist I’ve admired for years, Annie Comperchio. I’ll feature ceramics made by me with artwork painted by her. It’s going to be really, really special and I can’t wait to put it out into the world.

In addition, early this summer, I’m teaming up with candle company Wilkin & May to create a limited edition candle that will come in a She Made bowl for people to keep long after they’ve finished the candle. Their scents are incredible and I’m so honored to offer our products as a pairing.

Favorite place to visit to spark inspiration?

Country roads.

Color or neutrals?

Neutrals.

Favorite clay to work with?

My custom Ravine Clay.

Favorite space in your home?

The bathroom.

Best She Made product to give as a gift?

 

The Soap Dish & Drain Tray paired with a lovely soap or scrubbing brush.