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

Alright, Erika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first learned pottery at a community studio, where I immediately fell in love with the process. The feel of the clay, the challenge of shaping something from an idea in my mind, and the joy of sharing those pieces with others. Teaching has added another layer to that joy. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch others embrace the process and find their own sense of creativity. So much of pottery is about repetition and allowing time to build muscle memory. Rushing the process rarely works, but showing up consistently does.

The most essential skills were learning how to center clay on the wheel and understanding the importance of timing. Knowing when the clay is ready for the next step is integral to a successful piece. Both skills require practice and a willingness to embrace mistakes as part of the process.

One of the biggest obstacles was balancing the desire to improve quickly with the reality that pottery demands patience. I am constantly learning to let go of the need for perfection and instead focus on enjoying the process. Every piece brings its own lessons and growth with it.

Erika , 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?

I’m Erika Young, a ceramic artist and pottery instructor based in Pensacola, Florida. My journey into ceramics started at a community studio where I instantly fell in love with the process, not just making itself, but the shared knowledge and passion among fellow creators. There’s something humbling and grounding about working with clay. It’s taught me to let go of control and appreciate the beauty of the process, which has become the heart of Erika Ceramics.

I create small-batch, functional pottery. I make pieces from everyday mugs and travel tumblers to serving dishes and flower vases. My focus is on simple, effortlessly elegant designs that bring joy to daily rituals and fit seamlessly into daily life. Whether it’s the cup you reach for every morning or a handmade dish you pull out for hosting, I want my pieces to make those moments feel a little more special.

Erika Ceramics evolved as a way to embrace letting go of control and find joy in noticing the right now. Handmade pieces have a way of grounding us in the present and reminding us that even the simplest routines can hold meaning. I’m proud of how my work reflects that philosophy. There’s something beautiful about knowing that a handmade piece exists because someone took the time to create it, just for you.

Beyond making pottery, I also teach pottery classes at the same community studio where I first learned my love of clay. Teaching has been such a rewarding way to give back to the creative community that shaped me.

For anyone just discovering Erika Ceramics, I hope they see that it’s more than just pottery. It’s about bringing intention to everyday moments. Whether you’re adding a piece to your collection or simply following along with my journey, I am grateful to share this process with you.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me the most rewarding part of being a ceramic artist is the connection. Connection to the process, materials, and to the people who bring my pieces into their lives. There is something deeply fulfilling about taking a lump of clay and shaping it with my hands, knowing that it will go on to hold someone’s morning coffee or sit quietly on a table as a taper candle flickers throughout an evening with friends. These small moments, the quiet everyday interactions, are what make the work so fulfilling.

Working with clay has a way of keeping me present. It’s humbling, messy, and unpredictable, but that’s part of what makes it special. It is always teaching me to let go of control and embrace the journey. That lesson has shaped not only my pieces but how I move through life.

Teaching pottery has been an incredibly rewarding extension of my creative journey. Seeing students experience that same joy and sense of accomplishment when they see their finished pieces come out of the kiln is such a reminder of why I love this medium. Being able to share my passion and contribute to a creative community that once shaped me is something I am truly grateful for.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the need for perfection. Coming from a background in accounting, where the goal is to be exactly right, I carried that mindset into other areas of my life. In ceramics, and really any art form, perfection isn’t the goal. In fact, it is often the imperfections that make a piece interesting and meaningful. Letting go of that pressure to always get it “right” has been a journey, but it’s one that has shaped not only my work but how I approach life.

I think part of that struggle comes from the world we live in today. Social media often shows a polished, curated version of life, and it’s easy to feel like things need to look or be a certain way to be valuable. Clay has taught me the opposite, that there can be beauty in the messy, unpredictable process. Some of my favorite pieces are the product of a creative process that didn’t go as planned.

It feels poetic, in a way. I started in art school, but the pressures of life and making a stable income led me to switch to accounting. I spent years in a career that valued precision and certainty, but here I am a decade later, back to where I started, making art and teaching pottery. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t have to follow a straight line, there’s so much joy to be found in embracing the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Erikaceramics.co
• Instagram: @ErikaCeramics
• Facebook: erikaceramics.co