Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Griffin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
pottery found me in 2021 and i’ve been making ceramics ever since. i started by taking a class with a friend at crealde in winter park and falling in love with making pieces that i could use in my everyday life. the learning curve on the pottery wheel was steep for me, but i knew once i started i didn’t want to stop.
i found a kiln on marketplace and used a tax refund to get a new wheel and starting making ceramics in my living room. that’s when its wonky was born.
its wonky is handmade ceramics fit for your everyday routines; adding a little bit of magic to the mundane.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
i feel like no good road is smooth all the way and this creative endeavor has definitely come with its challenges. pottery is a slow process which leaves a lot of room for things to break along the way – and they have. juggling making and selling and creating, and bookkeeping all in addition to a personal life is not for the faint of heart, but that’s what small business life is. even with all the struggles, weeks of frustration and stress, i’m somehow still here making. the lifestyle of a potter is what attracts me the most, making pieces i care about at a pace that suits my creativity and evolves with me. the struggles help me see the full story and how much this creative practice is molding me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
i create functional home goods from mugs to cups to bowls with the hope that they’ll add a lil’ whismy and magic to the mundane routines we all experience every day. with a mixture of bright and muted colors that i’ve found my style by making pieces that i personally love to use – mugs without handles and carved thin lines with dimples on the side that make for a cozy holding experience, small plates perfect for lil’ snack and breakfast treats, and a notepad that never ends that doubles as a coaster too. i think my work is different because there’s a story behind each piece, even though they are simple in form, they are made from moments that led me to this point. i’m incredibly proud of the throughline in my work that feels like my inner child and my adult self meeting for a big hug.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
my husband, family, along with my nearest and dearest friends have helped shape it’s wonky into what it is today. my husband has especially championed me to accept the orders that i was scared to, sign up for the markets that intimidated me, and has listened to my ideas and has been my shoulder to cry on, on the days that it’s all too much. i’m incredibly grateful to my parents for their endless support and for giving me the confidence to believe that i can trust my guy and see what happens – in addition to housing my kiln. i’m lucky to have so many quality humans in my corner, cheering me on, on the dail,y and it’s wonky would truly not be a thing without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://itswonkyceramics.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/itswonky
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@itswonky?si=1EedfQQdFuUtTwaE
Image Credits
All photographs were taken by me – Jamie Griffin
