We recently connected with Crystal Shade and have shared our conversation below.
Crystal , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I took a 5 class pottery course run through the local community college. That was when I knew Clay was the medium for me. Other than that class I am self taught. Being self taught gives me the freedom to break the rules because, I don’t know the rules. Im in the process of doing research to understand the chemistry of glazes. i could take a class but i want to figure it out on my own and hopefully create some that are unique to me
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
After a childhood of physical and mental abuse and decades of battling depression, I’m now in a good place and my art reflects that. The majority of my work focuses on a whimsical innocence.
Animals have always been a huge part of my life and that is reflected in the many critters that i love to create, looking around my studio you will see Dog wall Pockets, cat vases, penguin families, octopus mugs and more.
I love creating custom creations of my customers beloved pets. It truly humbles me to know that I’m trusted with the honor of creating a lasting representation of a beloved family member.
I also believe in fairytales and that love conquers all ( I’ve been married for 40 years). These beliefs have led me to create a wedding line featuring porcelain vases adorned with flowers, the couples names and dates and dripping in 22kt gold overglaze.
Flowers are another passion of mine, you will find them adorning many of my creations. I have a series that I call Nashville Wildflowers. I gather wildflowers from along the highway, abandoned lots anywhere I see them and then press them into porcelain. Once they are fired I use under glaze to add colors to the piece. I make these exclusively for The Golden Slipper here in Germantown .
One of the best things of being self employed is that in addition to my custom work I have the freedom to create what i want when the idea hits me! You never know what you will find when you visit my studio.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Ive been lucky enough to be able to give back to the artist community and help other artists by being On the Board of Directors for the 100 Taylor Arts Market, Co founder of Gallery 100 and the Co Founder of Fleajects Holiday Market, all of which focus on supplying local nashville artists and makers with cost effective (and free to emerging makers) community and events.
I love being able to help and mentor other artists
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Art gives me the ability to spread happiness. Nothing makes me happier than seeing someone spot one of my creations and break into a smile. I also donate a portion of my earnings to various animal charities and take care of a feral cat colony. This is something that gives me great satisfaction. It is my goal to help as many animals as I can and hopefully bring awareness to animal rights through my art
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CrystalShadePottery.com
- Instagram: @crystalshadepottery
- Facebook: @crystalshadepottery