Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Figueras. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Being a full-time artist has given me the greatest happiness! I certainly know what it’s like to have a “regular” job. I worked a few different jobs from director positions to customer service before pursuing art. I was very creative throughout my childhood and adolescence. After I finished school and entered the working world I had a really difficult time finding my place. Something always felt like it was missing. Any creative person knows that internal urge and need to create. I was unhappy when I didn’t have the time and freedom to pursue my creative interests. I didn’t go to school for art, so in a way a career in art felt out of reach. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit and I got laid off of my “regular” job that I finally had the time and headspace to just do things that made me happy. I started listing a few of my pottery and jewelry pieces online for sale. In just a few short months I was making the same amount of money I was at my job, so I took the leap and haven’t looked back since. I’m entering the 3rd year of running my own creative business. I have certainly had those moments where I wonder if I should go back to a regular job because of certain benefits or stability, but I quickly realize that this is the most wonderful decision I’ve made. Even when times are uncertain, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Emily Figueras. I’m an artist residing in Eastern North Carolina. I specialize primarily in pottery, but I also create jewelry, printmaking, stained glass, and more! I started a small creative business called Fragments and Fig. “Fragments” is in the name because of my love for many mediums. A bit of this, a bit of that. And the ‘Fig’ comes from my last name, Figueras, meaning “keeper of figs”, or “fig tree”. I travel to do local pop-ups and festivals, teach classes, wholesale, and sell online through Etsy.

My work is mostly inspired by nature and nostalgia. I like to offer pieces that are classic and pay homage to NC pottery roots. I tell people that I grew up in the rural southeast making mudpies and playing in the dirt as a kid, so it’s a natural progression that I would become a potter. I was homeschooled and had a lot of time to spend outdoors. I feel a deep connection to the woods, bugs, and animals, so I draw a lot of inspiration from that.

I am currently working on a series of mugs based off of my own printmaking. The designs are inspired by my love of insects and nature. I’m also a beekeeper, so my inspiration for the “Bee Dance” design is raising awareness for the importance of our honeybees and local bee species. Other designs include mushrooms, Monarchs, and Luna Moths. I feel proud of this series and I’m excited to share it with others.

My “Morning Muggin’ Mugs” are face mugs inspired by classic NC face jugs, and are made with plenty of humor. I have been making them since I started, and they are a crowd favorite! I give them all a name and story. They have things they like, things they don’t like, and how they take their coffee. Some have best friends or other mugs they are feuding with. They are a lot of fun to interact with, and are one of my best sellers.

My goal is to create beautiful, fun, and functional pieces that people enjoy using every day. Hopefully my work brings a smile and a little bit of the joy I feel when creating it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love the idea that my art will outlast me. It’s a humbling feeling to know that we’re still discovering pottery from thousands of years ago. A piece that I created from mud with my own two hands could be passed down through family, bought secondhand in a thrift stores, or thrown in the landfill. But, some part of that love and desire to create something out of nothing will be there a really long time and I think that’s really special. Maybe some day in the far-off future, someone will dig and discover an old piece of mine. Hopefully it will still make them smile.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think one of the best ways to support artists is to buy from them and recommend them to your friends! There are so many cheaply made things sold in stores that could easily be purchased from a person who put their heart into it. My husband stopped me from buying a candle in the store today and said, “Don’t you have a friend who makes candles?” And I do! I was so thankful that he reminded me. It really just takes a little intentionality to shop local and support those artists in your community. It may seem like a small thing, but it makes a huge difference in the lives of the artists and it all adds up to support more creativity in general.

Contact Info:

• Website: etsy.com/shop/fragmentsandfig
• Instagram: @fragmentsandfig
• Facebook: Fragments and Fig