Collaboration Feature #3: Potter Stacy Snyder

Hello, Friends! 

I am so excited for you to “meet” my friend and potter Stacy Snyder via today’s post, the latest in my Collaboration series featuring fellow moms, entrepreneurs and creative business owners.

I met Stacy years ago; our kids went to the same preschool. We share a love of natural textures, printing techniques and color. The past two springs, we collaborated on a Spring Studio Sale. It has been such a treat to watch her craft evolve over the years.

Earlier this year, Stacy and I chatted more about her work over coffee. (Who wouldn't want to drink coffee out of this mug?!). I hope you enjoy learning more about Stacy's work as much as I did. 

xo, 

Kate

p.s. Attention, Holiday Shoppers! If you are looking for hand crafted, functional and beautiful holiday gift ideas, check out Stacy's Holiday Pottery Sale happening this weekend at her home studio. Located at 508 N. Kenmore Street in Arlington, VA, hours are 10a-5pm this Saturday, 12/3 and 12-5p on Sunday, 12/4. 

Pictured above: one of Stacy's beautiful mugs on my desk. My favorite way to start any morning!

When did you start your career as a potter?

In 1999, I built my cabin and studio and officially started as a professional potter.

Where do you draw inspiration?

One of my main sources of inspiration are photographs of the collaborative duo, Bernd & Hilla Becher, German photographers of industrial architecture ... and bike races! I love the energy and complexity of the races … the little villages that they go through … the roof lines in the architecture.

Pictured above: bike mugs and vases from Stacy's new white clay series

I also love the work of the historic Japanese potter, Rosanjin.  He would create these sets of plates - but instead of all being the same, they were part of a family. Similar … yet each one unique. They would look like brothers and sisters; quintuplets! He also had a way of layering surfaces, contrasting colors, foreground and background.

How do you approach your craft today?

One of my major goals in the work I do is to develop a contrast - for example, contrast in delicacy and strength, shiny and matte textures; bold and delicate lines, colors and black & white.

 

Photos above courtesy of Stacy Snyder Pottery

What advice would you offer to others pursuing a creative business:

The advice I received from my professors: “Nobody will invest in you, unless you invest in yourself.” So set up your studio, give yourself the time and have confidence in yourself.

Also, it takes balance - and that balance is always changing. Especially as a parent and a mother. You have to always adjust that balance, because it never stays the same. Just when you think you have your kids on a nap schedule, it all changes. This is the same with work. This is also part of the challenge and joy of problem solving.”

Share a moment of surprise in your work:

I remember a story from one of my teachers, a potter. As she was working, she was talking to herself saying, “Oh, I’m in trouble, I’m in trouble!”. I think about that sometimes when I’m in my studio. Sometimes getting yourself in trouble can help you find the best solutions. It’s a great place to be. 

As an artist, if you want to grow, sometimes you have to get yourself into trouble. You have to put yourself out there. And you have to make mistakes. That’s one of the best things about being an artist. 💛

Lights, Color, Action

I am so excited to share this next feature in my Collaboration series on the work of fellow creative entrepreneur Linda Daniel of Elle Daniel. If you like color, inspiring stories and ways to brighten up a room - literally! - then you are in for a treat.

I first met Linda earlier this year and we immediately struck up a friendship. She has such positive energy and we quickly discovered we have a lot in common: we both took a leap of faith and changed career paths mid-life to pursue more creative work. Linda's craft? Designer lampshades. Check her out ... love this pic from Linda's website!

Linda began creating designer lamp shades in the fall of 2011 when she left the DC political world cold turkey. "I knew I wanted to do something creative as I come from a family of designers, artists and winemakers. I always had in my homes beautiful, colorful lampshades — NEVER white! I walked into Anthropologie one day, subconsciously headed straight to the lampshades and thought, “I can do that, and I can do that better!”  Shortly thereafter, Linda found a mentor and perfected her  craft. The rest, as they say, is history.

Linda's work reminds me of other great design icons' work, too. For example, check out these pops of color featuring iconic designer Marimekko's fabrics: 

Picture from here

There's also Galbraith and Paul, an artisan brand I've admired for years. Their first lampshades were actually made out of paper. Today, they work with their stunning hand block printed textiles to create shades and pendants like these: 

Photo found here

In addition to second careers as creative entrepreneurs, Linda and I share a love of nature. Her home state of sunny Florida inspires her work - shares Linda, everything from its "bright yellow sun, blue skies, green grass, turquoise waters and colorful fresh flowers."

Linda's advice to other women entrepreneurs? Dream big, stay focused on your goal and do something big every day to get there. I couldn't agree more. 

Fun fact: Linda and I recently teamed up to create a limited edition series of mini-shades or night lights. How sweet are these, for a little kid's room? p.s. local (Arlington, VA area) friends: you can find a few of these at one of my favorite local boutiques, covet. 

Enjoy! xo, Kate

Collaboration Feature #2: She Believed She Could, So She Did

I am still pinching myself about this past week's events. It truly is an honor to highlight the work of my new friend and fellow artist, Kristin Try  - the second post in this Collaboration series. (Spoiler alert: get ready for a healthy dose of color and great words of inspiration!).

I first met Kristin earlier this year through Amy Rutherford, owner of Red Barn Mercantile (Thank you, Amy, for connecting us and your ongoing support!). When Kristin's not raising her two girls, working on interior design projects or at Red Barn (I know ... how many hours does she have in a day?!) she paints.

Kristin's paintings are like eye candy. If you like color and texture, you won't be disappointed:

Painting photos courtesy of Gingham and Grosgrain

Kristin's story is an inspiring one: she's been professionally painting for only a little more than a year ... yet look at how many canvases she has already transformed! Too many to count. She used to work in government relations and as an association executive. After the birth of her second daughter she began pursuing a more creative path. Read more on her story here.

This spring, Amy, Kristin and I were talking about our business goals and discovered we had a big one in common: building relationships with interior designers. How could we help one another? Collaborate on a private event for interior designers. We would showcase Kristin's abstract paintings, Red Barn's new Trade Program, sustainably made furniture by Cisco Brothers and new textile designs from yours truly.

Fast forward to this past week, and I'm thrilled to share the event was a success. Here are a few pics:

On the left: textiles from our new spring collection. On the right: Kristin's new painting, Reflection

I'm honored a few of Kristin's new paintings were inspired by Mira Jean textile designs (... how fun would it be to have a room with colorful pillows and roman shades in Palatial Peach, beside this oil painting on the wall?!)

Our Palatial Peach watercolor textile design on Cotton Linen Canvas

Here's a sample room for inspiration:

(Source: here)

My personal favorites are these two ... LOVE the aqua greens and blues!:

From left to right: Summer Grass (Retail price: $650); Stillness; bottom: Lime Leaves, Kiss me Jade, and Aquafern textile memos)

I asked Kristin what suggestions she might offer fellow creative entrepreneurs, just starting out. Talk about great advice:"Do one thing towards your goal every day. It can be a few minutes or a few hours - it will add up."

She also credits a recent article by artist consultant Laura C. George on how, "No one should ever feel bad about not doing something their whole life. If you want to do something new, just do it! Stay true to you and don't let others define who you should be or make you feel less for not having th path they think you should have." 

Kristin has a print in her studio that says, "She Believed She Could, So She Did." Follow her work on Instagram and you'll see, this is one artist and creative business owner that walks the talk.

Photo courtesy of Gingham and Grosgrain