Little Wren Pottery by Victoria

Come and meet Victoria, owner of Little Wren Pottery

- How did you get started? - My Dad was originally a potter years and years ago. I myself was keen to learn and he recommended that I attend a night class since he wasn't keen on teaching me himself. I did learn a lot at the class but I got to a point where I was wanting to do my own thing, it was then we started working at home.
- Where are you from? - I currently live in Sunderland in the North East of England. Which isn't currently renowned for its crafts but at one time was home to over 20 potteries.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique? - Each piece I make is unique in one way or another. Its unlikely you'd get two hand thrown pieces the same. I've recently started work on a couple of pottery ranges which will hopefully be introduced for Christmas.

- When did you start your practice? - I started just over a year ago, which in the grand scheme of things isn't very long at all.

- Any favourite suppliers for your materials? - In our area there's only one place to buy supplies from and thats from Bill Todd in County Durham. I usually buy potclays or potterycrafts supplies, the quality of their products are quite high even though it can be a little expensive.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby? - A little bit of both, even though its something I do part time I try to be professional about it. I'd hope one day that I might be able to earn at least enough money to pay the bills.

- what is your brand about? - I tend to focus on the rustic nature of pottery, I prefer to use natural colours and imagery to bring the outdoors inside. I also like to focus on the balance between quality and affordability, I don't think people should pay over the odds for a handmade product.

- What inspires you? - I really like going to museums and looking at old ancient pottery, I often think these older forms are in some ways more attractive than our modern ones. I also get inspiration from nature, I spend a lot of time out in the garden when I'm not potting and sometimes animals make it onto mu pots.

- What is your favourite piece ? - Its tough to choose since its always changing but at the moment I really love this large ornate red bowl.

- How do you promote your work? - I spend time promoting myself on my blog, other peoples blogs, you can find me on Facebook and Twitter. Even though its questionable the impact Twitter has I do love it and people get to know me through it.

- Where are you showing your work? - This has been the first summer I've actually attended craft fairs. It was a huge learning curve for me, selling in person is a whole different challenge to selling online. In the run up to Christmas I'll be attending Guisborough craft fair on December 11th.

- If you look back in ten years time, what do you hope to have achieved? - I just hope to get better at throwing. Part of being in ceramics is looking at continual improvement in all areas of what you do, from shaping a lump of clay on the wheel to packing it up and shipping out the orders. My aim for the previous year was to make double the sales I had in the previous year and things seem to be going well on that front at the moment!

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started? - That I'd actually spend proportionately more time doing administration tasks than actual making. Marketing and stocktaking take up a huge amount of time but these things just have to get done to keep the wheels turning.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists and designers? - Its important just to keep going but look for improvement everywhere it can be made. Improvement of your skills, your materials, photos, packing orders, keeping stock of whats going on.

- Did you ever think when you were young that you would be where you are now? - No I didn't! When I was young I had other aspirations in life but I've always been a creative person and thats something which has featured continuously through my life.

- any special promos? - I quite often host giveaways on my blog usually roughly quarterly, my next one will be in January. I also occasionally have discount sales and sell pottery seconds.

- what would you like to be when you grow up? - I'd like to be a potter!

- favorite jeweller? - Lazy Giraffe http://www.lazygiraffe.etsy.com/

- favorite websites? - Mostly foodie ones! http://www.smittenkitchen.com, http://www.lottieanddoof.com, http://www.sprinklebakes.com

- Anything else you'd like to add? I'd love to get to know you on twitter you can add me at http://www.twitter.com/MoominMidge

To discover more about Victoria Baker, visit her site - http://www.littlewrenpottery.co.uk
It also features some wonderful recipes worth a try, and wonderful pictures.

Breakfast in Style with Deb Babcock

While browsing etsy sellers, my eyes were attracted by the wonderful colors of Deb Babcock's pottery.
Her ceramics are not only full of life, they also have an amazing style.
If you like something, just get it as the creations are absolutely Unique. 

A little interview with the designer, just for you:

- How did you get started ?
I got started in pottery after I sold my marketing research business in Michigan and moved to Colorado to change directions. I started volunteering for the local arts council and they put me through a series of art classes in all media. I fell in love with pottery and started taking classes at the local college, then continuing my pottery education with summer workshops at such places as Anderson Ranch in Aspen.

- Where are you from?
I am originally from Saginaw, Michigan.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?

My creations are one-of-a-kind pieces, all handmade. However, I often produce things in a series, so while each piece is unique, I may have several that are complementary to each other in the same style.

- How long have you been doing it?
I have been doing pottery since 2001.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
I guess I'm a professional artist since I have a gallery/storefront as part of my studio and do sell my work. It's more of a nonprofit business at the moment *smiles*

- What inspires you?
I am inspired by lots of things, such as the beautiful mountains where I now live, books I read, everyday things, my garden.

My favorite piece is often the last one that I made. However, I do have a very soft spot for this piece because of the way the crystals formed on it in the kiln. Also, there are only two above ground lithia springs in the world, and one is in Steamboat Springs where I live. You need lithium in order to grow these crystals, so I use some of the water from that spring in my glaze.

- How do you promote your work?
I promote my work via postcard mailings, signage outside my shop, a little bit of activity in the forums, helping out on a few etsy teams making treasuries, etc., entering art shows and participating in an annual holiday sale with other potters in my community.

- What is your favorite material?
My favorite material is porcelain. I love the way it feels when I throw it on the wheel, the smoothness, the way it can be manipulated, and the way glazes are so bright on it.

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started?
Advice when I started. Hmmmmm. I'm often not very good a listening and usually need to find my own way. BUT, I do have to say that the forums on Etsy have been invaluable in learning how to run your online shop in terms of getting noticed, saving time on shipping and listing, and general support.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?
My only advice for other artists is to treat people how you would want to be treated. I guess that boils down to communication. Acknowledge an order or an inquiry. Do what you say you're going to do, and if something comes up to prevent that, be sure to let your customer know there's a hangup. Thank them. And make your work as high-quality as you possibly can.

- any special promos?
Special promos? Right now, I'm running a special on all the jewelry and holiday items in my store...50% off the regular price.

- what would you like to be when you grow up ?
When I grow up? I don't plan on doing that.

- favorite jeweller ?
My favorite jeweler? I bought these earrings  a while back and just love them.  I also have a wonderful bracelet that I bought from beadgrrrl that I wear often. There are so many great jewelry artists in Etsy, it's hard to choose just one.

And, one of these days, I might have to get these ones from you!

- favorite websites ?
One website that I go to often is www.majaba.org for the etsy stats they offer. I also have been checking out twitter and a couple other selling websites such as HandmadeFuzion and 1000markets.

Visit Her site to see more...

Truly Unique Pottery and Jewels

An interview with Joanna Jorgensen, creative mind of Jorgensenstudio

I started throwing pottery in high school. My high school had everything a Tv station, radio airtime, an early learning center for little kids that high schoolers got to teach in, and the most incredible pottery studio. I took two semesters, but then went on with life.
After I had my youngest daughter, I was a stay at home mom with three kids a desperately needed to get out for some "grown-up" time. I started taking weekly pottery classes through the local continuing education programs. I fell in love with clay again. I kept at it this time getting better and taking more classes, and meeting some really fantastic people.
I heard about silver clay through the clay world and was immediately intrigued. I started working with it, but I just wasn't able to do all that I wanted with it. I found metalsmithing and fabrication classes at a local art museum and then I was really hooked. I have recently started integrating pieces of my pottery into my jewelry and love exploring the two mediums.

I was born in Wisconsin, raised just north of Chicago (go Bears!) and have kept moving south until I landed here in Florida.

I have both limited editions and unique items. I enjoy both. It tests my skills more to be able to remake a piece once its finished. It makes me a better silversmith. The unique pieces become like children and I am always sad to see them go.

I have been working with clay for 10 years and metalsmithing for 3 years.

I consider myself a professional artist now, it was hard to make that transition in my own mind and call myself an artist. I wish that I didn't need to supplement the artist's income, but I still need too!

I am inspired by the forms in nature, but mostly I am inspired by the materials and the fun I have when I get to play with them.

The little Iris earrings in my shop I love, and wear a pair all the time. They are simple, classic, and elegant. I think that represents my personality the best.

I promote my work as many places as I can, on indiepublic, trunkt.com, myspace, and by purchasing advertising on the web and in print when I am able. I try to be an active member of the Etsy community. I join artist groups that network. I submit my work for exhibitions and send press releases to my local papers. I also hand out moo cards to anyone I can, and get my friends to do them same!

I can't say I have a favorite technique. I do like to play with fire, so for the pottery side Raku is a definite favorite and soldering for the jewelry side.

I wish someone had told me to believe in myself. That is the most important thing. I value myself, my time, and my art. It took a while to get to that point.
Oh, and also to keep learning, taking classes and workshops and learning new skills. It is very important to keep growing. My last class was a gem cutting class and I found that it was like meditating it was so mind clearing.

I find it very important to me to promote not only my work but the handcrafted work of others. Not only does it help your local economy, but it keeps the trade deficit down!
I feel it is very important to support art and craft in a society, it makes us all better. I rally my representatives locally to keep art in the schools. Art teaches math, history, critical thinking, and problem solving. It brings us together in a personal way as a buyer and seller that a mass produced item cannot.

To know more about Joanna, visit her blog