Where are you from and does that affect your work?

I grew up in the Bay Area, and I was living in the Lake Merritt area of Oakland as a young adult. This is where I was introduced to ceramics.  I started at Laney Community College, learning how to throw on the wheel, and then I continued on to receive a degree in The Practice of Art at UC Berkeley.  Richard Shaw was my professor at the time, and he was highly influential for me.  He showed me how wonderful handbuilding was, and he helped me to find my own creative voice. So yes, I think my experiences in the Bay Area, especially throughout college, have definitely shaped my interests and direction into what they have become today.

Very cool. How do you define success as an artist?

For me, success as an artist is simply feeling content with what I am creating, as well as providing joy for others.

What would you say is the hardest part of the creation process?

Hm, that is hard because it can change depending on what I am doing and what is going on in my personal life. If I had to think of one consistent difficulty, it would probably be the physical strain on my body.  I want to build at least 5 hrs a day, 5 days a week, but I have to be careful and take time off in order to avoid injury.  This can be incredibly difficult, especially during times of feeling inspired.

How has your style changed over time?

After learning how to throw on the wheel, then being introduced to handbuilding, I began making more sculptural pieces, not necessarily functional anymore. This work was more detailed, thematic, and had a darker tone. Then, after moving to Los Angeles in my early 30’s, having children, and taking a break from ceramics, I eventually began working for someone doing production pottery.  In this job I was making planters for plants. I have always loved owning lots of houseplants, so having the opportunity to work in a space where I could make ceramic pieces for plants, while being surrounded by plants, was a dream for me. I was highly influenced by this experience, so after a few years I decided to continue to work with planters and plants, but create my own designs and eventually create my own business.

Her favorite piece!

Love that! What is your favorite item that you have created and why?

My favorite piece might be from my early years, at UC Berkeley.  It’s not a style or form that I have wanted to continue making, but I think it was a piece that represented my ability to create and execute something visually interesting, as well as technically difficult. I think this piece represents a starting point for gaining a level of confidence and excitement needed in order to commit my life to being a ceramicist.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Honestly, it’s mainly a nostalgic place for me because it reminds me of my grandfather. He lived in Pasadena my whole life, so my dad would take my siblings and I to visit a few times a year. Though I have lived in LA for 13 years now, I live on the west side, so I don’t get to explore Pasadena a lot.  However, every time I go, it brings back a lot of memories. It also just has a nice feeling to it all around. It’s a very peaceful city, and I always enjoy visiting, especially when I can be a part of Jackalope.  It’s a great way to meet new people and learn more about the small businesses in the area.

Find Stone Garden Ceramics at Jackalope Pasadena on November 9th & 10th, 2024

Instagram: @stonegarden_ceramics

Betsey Carter

Do you have a story behind your company name?

When I began selling my work I decided to keep things simple, using my name and what I do, i.e., Betsey Carter Ceramics.  I also decided to sign my work with my name handwritten either into the clay or in black slip. So all my pots have “Betsey” written on the bottom

A nice personal touch! Tell us more about how you got started?

I majored in art in college, focusing on ceramics and sculpture, but after graduation I soon decided that the struggling artist life wasn’t for me.  I then went to graduate school for a master’s degree in something completely different. I always knew I’d come back to pottery someday, and about 25 years ago I did.

That is so cool, full circle! What inspires you to create?

Providing functional, useful, and beautiful objects we need and use every day in our homes .

And who are your biggest influences?

I have been influenced by teachers, by my environment, by history, by practice and research, and many other inputs.  But the thread running through it all is the philosophy of William Morris, a leader of the British Arts and Crafts movement who said that we should have nothing in our homes that we do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.  Creating objects that are both useful and beautiful is the heart of what I try to do.

How as your style changed over time? 

I believe artists’ work is strongly influenced by their surroundings. My early years as a studio potter were in my hometown of Charleston, SC, and my work was influenced by the historical and formal setting of that city that was settled in the 17th century. I worked mainly in high fired porcelain with slip decorations, mishima, and lusters, resulting in work that reflected the formality of my surroundings. Since moving to Southern California my work has gradually taken on a more informal design, mirroring the surrounding colors, shapes, and forms.  I have also changed to rich, toasty stoneware clays.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Definitely throwing pots on the wheel!

I tried doing it once at a class, and it was so challenging! What is the hardest part of the creation process?

As a one-person business, time management has to be the most challenging part of the process. Coordinating the designing and making processes, publicity, marketing, and shipping, plus online, wholesale and in person selling is an ongoing process.

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

It depends on the day of the week. I typically start each week with 2-3 days of throwing pots on the wheel, followed by another 2-3 days of trimming and finishing (handles, carving, etc.).  When the pots are dry they are then ready to bisque fire and finally glaze fire.

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

I especially love throwing large serving bowls.

Does your art help you in other aspects of your life?

It makes me a better person to be around.  When I can work at some aspect of making on most days, I am calmer, happier, and feel more accomplished.

How do you define your success as an artist?
I would define success as finding a way to incorporate your art into your life in a way that suits your life.  For some that will be working at it full time and making and a living with your art.  For others, it means squeezing in a bit of your art around all the other parts of your life.  For most it’s probably somewhere between those two poles. Figuring how to do your art in whatever way suits your life at that moment is success.

Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

I’ll be bringing a variety of work: lots of mugs, bowls of various sizes, vases, teapots, planters, candlesticks, touchstones, bells, wall hangings, all the things I love to make.

What did you miss most about in-person events now that events are picking back up again? 

I missed seeing all the people. I love meeting new customers and catching up with long-time friends. I get such inspiration from the people visiting my booth and buying my work. They tell me how they’re using a piece, what they’d like for me to make, or, if it was a gift, how it was received. The interaction is a joy. 

What do you love most about Pasadena?

It reminds me of my home, Charleston, SC, in that it’s big enough to have good restaurants, shopping, and other niceties of life, but it’s still compact enough that you can get around and take advantage of those things.

Catch Betsey Carter Ceramics at Jackalope Pasadena on November 9th & 10th, 2024

Website: www.betseycarter.com

Instagram: @betseycarterceramics

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

 I started ceramics when I was 8 years old in Chicago.  Then after many years away from the craft... about 10 years ago I started teaching and creating functional art and have been in love with handmade since!

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

I make my work with my own two hands, so nothing is slip cast... my hands form every single piece, I infuse my energy, heart and soul into every piece and I believe the love and care is felt from this intimate process.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Being present... clay calms my mind. So do subtleties and peace promoting colors and forms in nature.  

4. What is your creative process like?

It's very organic.  I'll get inspiration at times, but often I just create and it evolves.  I don't sketch much.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Every day, no matter how busy you are with client deadlines... make something just for you.  my commercial photography teacher said that, and it translates to every artistic medium I've done.

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

Everything, it's my first time and I'm thrilled to join... 

I'm excited to share many pieces from my new line I've just started to show that is hand built and extra organic, which is a sweet compliment to my cleaner wheelthrown designs.

7. Where can we learn more about you?  My Etsy page has some lovely details ... 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/aveshamichael

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 
I think the work I make reflects the edgy forward thinking of the west coast combined with a quirky sensibility that I attribute to my Dutch roots. I am a huge fan of Dutch Design, which often imbues the practical with humor and a frankness that is refreshing.

I came to ceramics after a life of making and a crafts background but not having ever studied it.  My dad was and is a ceramicist and until just recently, all I knew I learned from just being around him.  Previously (and still!), I made mostly larger scale sculptural and wall pieces and still the things I make are very much inspired by sculpture. I think of them as sculptures to wear or sculptures to live with.   Brancusi brings me to tears. Cy Twombly, Calder, the Bauhaus and particularly the textiles, Eva Hesse, and as of late, I have been really into Sonia Delauney.  Everyone is suddenly into the Memphis Group and I cannot deny an affection for them, Ettore Sottsass is genius. 

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
I don’t take myself too seriously!  There are way too many things happening in our world that bring me down and I want to make pieces that bring some brevity to the world. 

I strive to make pieces that provide a little lightness, make you smile, there's always a little humor or a wink involved.  The pieces I make are unique & clearly handmade to combat our world of mass-produced sameness.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Being in LA for 11 years now I draw a lot of my inspiration by these sprawling urban mongrel; from the street signs, to graffiti on the stairs and walls in my hood, to the architecture and our dessert foliage. I particularly love the patterns that emerge after the graffiti has been painted over as the colors never match exactly.  If I am in a rut, I return to my books, I have an extensive collection of “art books” that range from Andy Goldsworthy to Vik Muniz, to of course, Ken Price.

I also listen to a lot of podcasts such as 99% Invisible, RadioLab, Ted Talks, and Marc Maron.  I dream of becoming interesting enough to be on Marc Maron’s podcast!  Words become very physical to me, I seem to see and think in shapes and forms.

What is your creative process like? 
I learn through making and may make a quick sketch; I often dive right in to build.  I actually see this as a shortcoming and wish I focused on process more but as I work full time, studio time is nights and weekends.  I always reserve time to make new ideas and to play.  My happiest discoveries is when something goes wrong but then you realize it is actually better than you intended and it pushes you into new territory

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
“Don’t get married until you are a famous artist!” followed by, “If you are a famous artist, why get married?”.  He also included in this list of do’s and don’ts “Don’t make political art”.  This came from an early and very dear to me instructor that I adored whom also never followed his own advice.

Where can we learn more about you?
www.nicolavruwink.com
www.bevruwink.com
​IG @nicolavruwink

SHOP Bevruwink at our upcoming Jackalope Art & Craft Fair at Central Park in Pasadena CA on April 25th & 26th from 11:00am to 6:00pm.