Reflections on the New Year

  I can't believe another year has passed. 2011 was huge for me personally, as well as for the business. The year started with getting engaged in St. Croix, followed quickly by my dear friend Alison coming to use her super powers to help me at the studio,  moving the studio to the Wedge, and flying to NY to appear on the Nate Berkus Show. And that was just the first 3 months!  I spent the summer planning the wedding, and then there's Coastal Living, which came just weeks before I got married.  The Holiday season broke records for me this year, I could use a few weeks away, honestly, but I have already been back at work gearing up for a lot of changes..

     Mike & I have been working for months on new branding for the company, which I feel is absolutely necessary considering the growth we saw in 2011. My old logo was something I drew with a sharpie on a piece of paper for the studio I started almost 5 years ago. Element Clay Studio was a group studio and I ended up just kind of adopting it as my own business identity as things progressed. Now that I am out on my own and so visible, I felt like it was important to clarify and polish that  identity....I have been working hard on implementing the change on the websites, and soon will come new signs and print materials.

    We are also inches away from launching the Etsy Page for Element Vintage .... so watch out! We have a nice little rotation going on in the showroom now, its been a lot of fun to incorporate my love of vintage & interior design into my work life. I am kind of nervous about launching another shop, but it is so fun!

     My goal  in the studio this year is to branch out a little more. I have been reminded over these past few very busy months that the more time I spend in the studio, the more I generate new ideas. I have also had to face that sometimes production is BORING! and the only way to keep sane is to follow my urges to create new and different things. I am totally in love with making bowls right now, have plans to start regular production of candles soon, as well as some larger and  more one of a kind work.  I love what I do, but honestly, it is always a struggle to keep things fresh.