We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Courtney Hunter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Courtney below.

Courtney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I think back on it, I think I knew I wanted a creative career when I realized that time just evaporates (in a good way) when I’m immersed in a creative task. I distinctly remember the first time I lost track of time while creating art. It was Yom Kippur when I was 13, and it was the first time I was trying to fast. It was challenging—I was hungry and cranky. My mom suggested I go to my room to relax or distract myself. I sat at my desk, I started drawing with a pencil, and suddenly, I realized it was dinner time; the hours had simply evaporated.

The next time I experienced that same sensation was in the sewing studio while studying fashion at Cornell. I would become completely immersed in my projects, often losing track of time until it was 2 AM or 3 AM when I finally forced myself to stop for the night. This feeling compelled me to pursue a career in fashion design, which I dedicated myself to for 17 years.

However, as time passed, I noticed that the joy of losing myself in my work was fading. I felt a genuine urge to explore other creative avenues. To satisfy this need, I enrolled in a ceramic wheel class, thinking it would allow me to express my creativity outside of fashion. What began as a simple exploration turned out to be a whole new passion waiting to be nurtured.

Despite the challenges, I eventually found the courage to leave my safe and comfortable career in fashion to pursue a life dedicated to clay full-time. I’m now about two years into this journey, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the leap I took to pursue a second art form professionally.

Courtney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a mom to my wonderful 2-year-old son, Luca, and I recently made the exciting move from NYC to Seattle, embracing a significant life change that also included transitioning from a 17-year career in fashion design to ceramics. At 40, this shift has felt transformative; having a child later in life and starting anew has rejuvenated my perspective, keeping me open to growth and exploration.

My journey into ceramics began from a hobby that evolved into a passion. Initially, I felt the pressure to launch a polished and cohesive brand right away due to my retail background. However, I quickly learned that ceramics is a field where endless possibilities abound, and even the slightest changes in design can dramatically alter a piece. This realization has led my brand to continuously evolve, allowing me to create unique products like my deviled egg trays and baguette plates, alongside collaborative pieces tailored to specific spots in my clients’ homes, such as entryways or kitchen islands. My goal is to create pieces that fit seamlessly into everyday life—beautiful yet easy on the eyes and easy to live with.

I am particularly proud of my newest line, a collection of charm necklaces. These pieces are playful yet sophisticated, embodying creativity, passion, and curiosity—values that resonate deeply with me. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to see them embraced by the community.

In addition to my product line, I’ve developed workshops that allow me to share my passion for ceramics with others. I teach in small groups or at private events around Seattle, helping participants discover the joy of getting lost in clay.

Ultimately, I want potential clients and followers to know that my work is centered around authenticity and creativity. As my brand continues to grow, I cherish the opportunity to invite others into this journey and inspire them to find their own creative voices through ceramics.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

While my social media audience is modest at just over 3,000 followers, I’ve found them to be engaged, and I consistently receive commission work through Instagram. My biggest piece of advice is to avoid overthinking your posts and focus on consistency.

Initially, I struggled to create content because I was afraid it wasn’t good enough or was overthinking it, which made posting regularly challenging. To combat this, I committed to posting daily starting in January 2024. I managed this for four months before some personal distractions caused me to slow down. However, this commitment transformed my relationship with social media. I realized that most people aren’t overly concerned with what I post; those who do care respond positively and appreciate my authenticity.

As a result, I grew my audience by around 700 followers, and it continues to grow steadily as I maintain consistency. I also joined a small business coaching group that offers strategies for diversifying my content and effectively using social media to create and grow an email subscriber list (something all of us as artist need to do).

In hindsight, I recognized that I was holding myself back with overthinking and perfectionism. By simply sharing my journey and artistic process, I’ve fostered a more authentic connection with my audience—something they genuinely want.

For fellow artists just starting on social media, remember that sharing your unique perspective is what resonates. Embrace the process and don’t be afraid to show up consistently!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

As a ceramic artist I work alone and I am not formally trained in ceramics so books, podcasts, and youtube have been my best friend through out this transition and continue to be:

Books:
The Creative Act:A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
The Lean Start Up by Eric Reis
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Podcasts:
The Potter’s Cast:Picking Up Where The Art Degree Ends with Paul Blais
Second Life with Hillary Kerr

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewaight.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewaight/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWaight
• Other: Pinterest:
  https://www.pinterest.com/TheWaightCeramics/

Image Credits

Ashley Garrels