Blog
Fire Up!
09 . 30 . 2024
Welcome to the wonderful world of ceramics! These four one-of-a-kind makers that will be exhibiting at the holiday show December 5-8, are shaping clay into functional art forms that blend creativity, innovation and beauty.
From a very young age, Niki Croom knew she wanted to be an artist. Along her journey to becoming one, she fell in love with ceramics, painting, and sculpting but was told she had to pick one. However, Niki soon had the realization that her work could combine all three and Croomer Art was born.
Tell us about your work.
Niki: I create pottery that turns everyday moments into celebrations by intertwining each unique piece with equal parts whimsy and intricacy. Using porcelain for its color, texture, and translucency, I throw and hand-build forms that are simultaneously delicate and robust. For contrast against the white porcelain, I use black underglaze to decorate each piece with pattern, relatable imagery, and subtle humor, ultimately creating pots that bring a tablescape to life.
What makes your work one-of-a-kind?
Niki: My work is unique because of its combination of ceramics, painting, and sculpture. I use these three art forms to celebrate the everyday moments. My work is often relatable and celebrates what it means to be human.
What do you enjoy most about creating?
Niki: My favorite part about what I do is that it is ever evolving and expanding itself. Creating has always been a part of me. It's natural to me. It's how I process the events and emotions around me.
Emily Christopherson finds that working with her hands brings her a sense of satisfaction and peace and this is something she hopes is carried into your home with her everyday tableware and home goods.
What do you enjoy most about working with clay?
Emily: I enjoy working with the restrictions that clay puts on me. It's a reactive material, so learning how to collaborate with it over the years has been very satisfying and humbling.
What encouraged you to pursue a career in ceramics?
Emily: It was kind of a slow burn but I always had interest in clay. When I was young, my mom and I would make things with polymer clay at the kitchen table. Later in life I took a ceramics class and just never stopped. I had plenty of encouraging teachers along the way that I credit for giving me the push needed to pursue it as a career.
Can you name a personal experience that has sparked creativity?
Emily: This summer I took a trip to Portland, Maine and spent a day at the beach during low tide. My friend and I walked through rock formations covered in tide pools, exploring the miniature ecosystems within them. I snapped a few photos of the smooth, worn down edges of the rocks and it reminded me of my own work. A few weeks later that I came up with a design inspired by that day, a serving dish with a wavy, voluminous rim that will be debuted at the Holiday Show.
Deena Schroeder-Sears's pottery is made with passion and love and is meant to be used daily in your home. Creating multi-functional, high-quality, and cute pieces, she hopes you enjoy her pottery as much as she enjoys making it.
What inspires you?
Deena: My design inspiration comes from my love of nature and animals, and the desire to have cute, versatile things in my home. I like to only make and use food-safe glazes so all of my pieces can be both functional and decorative.
Why did you become an artist?
Deena: I have been involved with art for as long as I can remember. My mother was a stained-glass artist and as a toddler she brought me to her art shows. I focused on art in school and began a career in film and video design. After 9/11 I was laid off twice and decided to earn my teaching degree and taught high school art for 14 years. Eventually, I started a ceramics program at the school and fell in love with pottery all over again which led to me starting my business.
What makes your work unique?
Deena: I was trained as a 2D artist. So sketching is a big part of my design process, and I think my fine art training helps me create good designs that appeal to a lot of people.
Mine Anil slowly and thoughtfully crafts all her work in small batches in her home studio. She believes that the little things we use daily hold the power to bring meaning and harmony into our lives and her purpose is to create those "little things".
Tell us about your creative process.
Mine: My creative process as a ceramicist is deeply intuitive and hands-on. It begins with a vision, sometimes from nature, personal experiences, or even the texture of the clay itself. I love to experiment with different shapes and techniques, allowing the clay to guide me as I work.
Why did you pursue a career as an artist?
Mine: I wanted to express myself through my work. Pursuing a career as an artist gives me the freedom to constantly explore, evolve, and share my perspective with others.
Is there an instance from your own life that has sparked creativity?
Mine: I was born and raised in Turkey. Visiting the local markets there and watching the artisans make pottery was an amazing experience and one of my best childhood memories. I remember being mesmerized by the way they worked with the clay, molding it with such precision and care.
Connect with these exceptional makers and over 600 more, December 5-8!