Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Ritchie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Taylor, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?
Everyday, I am still amazed that ceramics continues to support, hold, and sustain me as a medium and lifestyle. Seven years ago I said yes to myself for the first time and chose the path of a ceramicist. At the time I only had an Instagram page and I had no idea what that journey would look like. What followed was seven years of learning, growing, and figuring out how to survive off of pots. Clay became more than just a craft; it was the catalyst that deepened my connection to self-trust. When I started earning a consistent income from something that felt so grounding and restorative, I knew I had found my path.
In 2020, I quit my day job — just as the pandemic shut the world down. I had no savings, no backup plan, and no intention of seeking work outside of creating with my hands. Like so many others at that time, I turned to the internet to find community, and that space became vital in helping me share my work with a global audience.
I wanted to prove to myself that I could sustain my monthly cost of living solely through my art—again and again—before fully committing to dreams of selling ceramics online. I initially set a goal of six months, but in reality, I spent an extra year-and-a-half balancing my creative work with other responsibilities before taking the leap. Looking back, I’m grateful for that time. It allowed my hatred for my job to fester deep enough to walk away; but it also allowed me time to gradually invest in the equipment I needed — like a pottery wheel, slab roller, and quality materials — while also improving my skills through constant practice. That growth led to a natural increase in the quality of my work, which in turn allowed me to gradually raise my prices and build a stronger social media presence. If not for the generosity of the internet sharing my work with their friends and loved ones and supporters, Pottery Witch would have had a much slower start.
Ceramics really dislikes when you rush it. I believe everything happens as and when it is suppose to, and I am grateful that I get to experience this part of my life when I do. It is definitely a life-long craft I never intend to retire from. In a busy world, I am choosing to slow down and work with patience. This is where I found that some of my best pieces emerge. That appreciation for slowness has shaped not just my art but also my daily habits. It’s even more rewarding when I get to share that with others through teaching! Clay is so versatile and I am constantly seeing many different ways that ceramicists build their careers both online and offline.
Taylor, 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?
My art is devoted to creating ritual tools. I specialize in ceramic Altars, Offering Bowls, Incense Holders, Temple Vases, Mugs, and Urns. I like to create work that memorializes loved ones, honors ritual practices, or invites a lot of human interaction. What fulfills me most is seeing how people make these pieces their own – choosing what flowers to arrange in the piece, what tea blends to drink, or incense aromas that hold personal significance. It’s a beautiful reminder of how art can serve as a vessel for connection, memory, and devotion.
My journey into ceramics began as a quieting of inner noise through the meditative process of working with clay. As an undiagnosed neurodivergent teen, I struggled with the overwhelming pace of the world around me. At 14, I experienced clay for the first time, and I remember vividly thinking, “If I could do this for the rest of my life, I would.” My ceramics teacher, without realizing it, changed my life simply by nurturing my interest and giving me space to create without rigid rules. That early experience planted a seed that would later grow into my full-time creative practice.
For a long time, I was content creating in solitude, but the pandemic reshaped my understanding of community. It became clear how important representation and connection are in creative spaces, especially online. Seeing the work of ceramicists like La Vive Verde, @lajean.art, and @silverliningceramics showed me that selling pots online was not only possible but thriving. Their vibrant, otherworldly work flowed beautifully in digital spaces, and that realization inspired me to carve my own path in the online landscape. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been invaluable tools for both my personal growth and the sustainability of my business.
More recently I started teaching at a local Calgary pottery studio called Fired Clay Pottery Studio! Teaching has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey. I find myself learning alongside my students as well. I hope to help guide those who want to use ceramics not just as a creative outlet, but as a path to freedom, self-expression, and even a sustainable career.
At its core, my work is about transformation —taking raw earth and shaping it into something intentional, functional, and deeply personal. It’s about creating pieces that become part of people’s lives in meaningful ways. Whether it’s a flower altar, a tea ritual, or a simple moment of pause, my goal is to make work that invites people to slow down, connect, and honor what is sacred to them.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
When I started on social media in 2017, I had a clear vision of who I wanted to connect with: the witches, the esoteric enthusiasts, and the ethereally brave—those who embrace their lives unapologetically and honor their intuition and connection to the earth. Knowing my audience from the start helped shape my branding in a way that felt natural and authentic. Slow, organic growth became the foundation of my journey, contributing to the longevity of my artistic path. Some seasons there is a lot of growth, and other seasons there is none. If you’re just starting out, I recommend identifying who you genuinely resonate with and where your work is most likely to be understood and appreciated.
Once I had that clarity, I focused on posting in the right spaces and using relevant tags on Instagram and TikTok. Instagram allowed me to find and engage with my community, but TikTok was what truly accelerated my growth, introducing me to new supporters and clients I wouldn’t have reached otherwise. I highly recommend being active on at least two platforms and repurposing content across them—it’s an efficient way to expand your reach without doubling your workload. Don’t be afraid to explore new digital landscapes!
A common misconception about social media is that you have to post every day to stay relevant. While consistency helps, forcing yourself to churn out content can quickly lead to burnout. I’ve found that prioritizing quality over quantity has allowed me to maintain a healthier relationship with both my art and my online presence. I post when I feel genuinely inspired AND regulated, which helps me set boundaries between my work as a business and my work as a passion. Social media can easily drain the creative spark if you let it, so it’s important to protect your process.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn the stigma that art was unable to be a career that provides — that it couldn’t feed me, sustain me, or be taken seriously as a legitimate path forward. Growing up there was a widespread dismissal of the arts when trying to find your way in life, and I internalized that message for years. I suppressed my desire to pursue ceramics so I could finish college and follow the expected path toward a “stable” career. Every couple of years, however, I found myself hitting the same wall: a deep, gnawing sense of misalignment, like my soul was being eroded by the choices I had made to conform.
Eventually that disconnect became unbearable. In a moment of sheer desperation, I chose myself. I quit my job without a savings (I would not recommend this if you can help it, give yourself as much of a financial cushion as you can), without a backup plan, and devoted myself to ceramics. It was my first time taking real agency over my future, and my first time liberating myself from a toxic cycle. Clay saved my life, and continues to show me how beautiful life can really be. This is the hardest I have every worked, and the happiest I have ever been.
Don’t let others speak fear into your dreams and when you feel something special calling you, it will keep calling you until you decide to answer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.potterywitch.ca
- Instagram: @potterywitch
- Other: TikTok: @potterywitch
