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

Heidi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

This may be an unexpected response, but I’d say my best investment has been in my health and well-being. After years of pouring myself into work, it had become all-consuming and was seriously affecting my happiness. I had some success, but the stress was a lot, and my health took a hit.
Eventually, I took a step back and decided to leave my job. Honestly, I’m really grateful I was able to do that. My husband and I ended up moving to a remote coastal area, which has been amazing for connecting with nature. It really helped me focus on self-care, like taking long walks with my dog and just slowing down to appreciate my surroundings and life.

This is where it all began- being immersed in all that natural beauty reignited my love for art. I discovered a newfound passion for working with clay. It’s turned into an essential part of my life, helping me heal and rediscover my creativity.

Heidi, 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 started working with clay a little over two years ago. Before that, I had a long career in merchandising and product creation. Art has always been a passion of mine, though, going back to childhood. I explored it more in college, but honestly, I didn’t have a clear career path at the time. Ultimately, I chose the home furnishings industry because I loved being surrounded by design. During those years, I focused a lot on product development and picked up some invaluable skills, like really appreciating the subtleties of detail, color, and overall good design.

When I decided I wanted to learn ceramics, I joined a local art center and was lucky to learn from some amazing and experienced mentors. Their guidance really helped me find my footing. Now, I have a small studio set up at home, which gives me the flexibility to work on my pieces whenever inspiration strikes.

These days, I create ceramic works that explore texture and form, often playing with contrasts in natural color and surface. My pieces reflect my connection to nature, its beauty as well as its imperfections. I find myself constantly studying various textures and objects found in nature, drawing inspiration for what I might try to express through clay. Each of my pieces is handmade in porcelain or stoneware, and is also uniquely imperfect. So far, I’ve been selling locally, and I plan to offer some of my work online soon.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist for me is definitely that meditative flow I get when I’m creating. When I’m really focused on my work, everything else just fades away.

I love the feel of clay, and the direct connection between my hands and the material. It’s so satisfying to shape it or wear it away, and it reminds me of the natural forces that erode and weather surfaces over time. I’m completely captivated by the material and appreciate each stage of the process, from the soft, malleable beginning to the delicate, powdery state as it dries, and on through the firings where a piece finally transforms. Opening the kiln feels like pure magic. I can’t help but still be amazed when I pull out a finished piece that I shaped with my own hands.

And ultimately, it’s really fulfilling to think that these pieces will be enjoyed in someone’s home, each one carrying a little piece of my artistic journey with it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’ve thought about this a lot, and honestly, I don’t think there’s a specific goal driving my creative journey. For me, it’s more about the journey itself. I just want to keep learning, improving, and evolving my skills. Things still go wrong all the time, and while that can be frustrating, I try to see each mistake as a chance to learn.

I also want to hold on to that beginner’s mindset, the kind of “I’m just trying stuff” attitude. Sometimes, I dive into things without knowing exactly where it’ll lead, and I’m okay with that. I want to see where the inspiration takes me.

I recently read something that really stuck with me: that the act of creating helps us figure out who we are. A lot of people say ceramics, in particular, teaches you not to get too attached and to practice letting go. Some pieces don’t even make it all the way through each step in the process, and that’s where the challenge is: learning not to get attached. It’s not always easy.
I also love this quote by Kurt Vonnegut: “The arts…. are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.” That really resonates with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heidihyora.com
• Instagram: @heidi.hyora