Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicki Degeneffe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nicki , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Rock Hill, South Carolina based Artist, Nicki Degeneffe, has been creating art for most of her life. Since 2012, she has mainly focused on pottery. In 2020, a friend dropped a kiln off in her carport and she bought a new pottery wheel for her “She Shed.” She then decided to leave corporate life in 2021 and get back to her art roots.
When the pottery started to overflow from the shed into the house, it was time to get a bigger space. My 1st studio was in an old cotton warehouse in Sharon. Now Spinning Out Pottery Studio is in the back of the Sharon Community Center. But I am planning to move downtown York soon to 26 North Congress Street. You may see me throwing pots in the window.
Nicki , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was a corporate payroll manager over US and Canada payroll. To reduce stress I started creating hand built pottery at the Northside in Rock Hill with Diana. Then I started on the wheel. I love the process. So I signed up for another class. Then I started taking classes with Jonathan Williams. He is a wonderful mentor. He told me I should teach. I volunteered at his studio and learned so much. I started selling my pottery in 2021 and people liked my style. I decided to open a studio. I taught my first classes May 2022. I still have some of my first students.The best part of my work is that it brings people together. I have over 20 local artisans in my gift shop. I am collecting amazing artists and People. We are creating an amazing art community.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My goal is to keep creating and build other people up. I am going to create a positive welcoming place where people love to be. I want people to feel happy when they walk in my studio.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
It is hard work running a studio. Finding the right place. I teach during the week, repair, and keep up the studio, and sell every weekend. This work in not for the faint of hearts. I move 50 to 500 pounds of clay around weekly. I depend on volunteers. I have learned to ask for help but need to do more of that. I schedule in breaks. I try to improve thing and simplify things all the time. I love it when students come in and say ” you changed somethings around and it looks great”. I love process improvements. I like to keep things as simple as possible. If I feel frustrated I take a stepback and try to solve the problems the best I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spinningoutpotterystudio.com
- Instagram: @Spinningoutpotterystudio
- Facebook: @Spinningoutpotterystudio
