We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Danielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I took a pottery class in college, but it was only until COVID happened that I found it. I heard about a studio that opened near me, and eventually I sign up for a class. It was just a really good time, It felt really approachable to me and a welcome break from everything happening.

I believe that learning happens at everyones pace. I picked throwing up quickly, but I’m glad I took my time getting to know the craft. Clay is very different from my day job. As someone who spends a lot of time at my computer, pottery has been an amazing way to unplug. I get to take a step back from life and be one with the mud.

In pottery, patience is the most essential skill. You need to know when to wait, and to wait patiently. You cannot rush the process. Clay will dry when clay dries.

In terms of obstacles to learning more, time is always my top obstacle. I can only be at the wheel so many hours of the day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Dani Rodriguez, I am a potter from New Jersey. I specialize in ghost figurines, lighting and decorative home goods.

Pottery came to me at a time when I needed something to throw myself into, and it caught me. I started taking classes almost a year into COVID, it saved my brain. My days were spent on a computer and clay became a welcome reprieve. I took a weekly class for 3 years.

Eventually I amassed a collection of works I’d made and needed a way of offloading some – which spawned my small business Booramics by Dani. Once I became complacent with mugs and bowls, I turned to making small table lamps and vessels for the sake of vessels. I participated in a residency in the winter of 2024 where I gave myself licence to make art for the sake of art. I was able to really focus and hone my skills. I since feel I’ve really grown as a potter and an artist.

Pottery is a wonderful medium, and every potter is different. Clay is different in everyone’s hands, like handwriting, I like to play in angular shapes as of but also love a big squiggly vase. I strive to push shape, I want to see how much I can defy gravity. Some say my pieces are reminiscent of mid-century modern shapes but I just like to think of them as fun. I don’t find much joy in repeating pieces, each one of the ghosts are unique and each vase or lamp unlike the next.

I try to both push the limits of what I can do, but also try to present ceramics as an approachable medium. Everyone has to start somewhere, everyone is new at something in the beginning – pottery is for everyone.

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

I find the connections that pottery brings me the most rewarding aspect of what I do. Connections with myself and others. Pottery teaches you some very introspective lessons around patience and letting go. i’ve had to stew in my frustration and learn to let it go or start over. I’ve had to sit and watch clay dry, if you rush drying your piece could go wrong in so many ways. I am more connected with myself through clay.

But also while I spend much of my time in the studio by myself, pottery has brought so many different people into my life. People I’ve met for moments and people I will treasure for my whole life. Each connection clay brings me gives me such joy.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t have a big mission or a goal. I don’t have any big meaning behind my work. I truly just want to create for the joy of creation. Maybe that’s just it – my goal is joy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @booramicsbydani