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

Alright, Jamie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I have to say that I truly put my heart into everything I make, but there is one piece that is incredibly powerful to me. I had a client reach out to me, asking if I could make a vase out of the ashes of her dog that passed away. I had never done that, but as a fur mom myself, I knew I couldn’t say no to something so special.

Shift to a week later and my father passed away suddenly from COVID. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. I couldn’t get out of bed for weeks, let alone bring myself to make anything in the studio. After about two and a half weeks, my husband coached me out of bed and led me back into the studio. I went back and looked at my orders (that I was very behind on) and remembered the vase. I knew that was the project that would get me back into the world of the living.

Being able to create something so special for someone, at a time where I was feeling so raw, was incredibly healing for me. I don’t think I will ever forget that piece and what it did for my grieving processes.

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

Ill start by saying that I spent the last 17 years of my life as a public school teacher. About 4 years ago my husband and I moved to Chattanooga, TN and we didn’t know anyone and was feeling a real lack of community. I decided that with my down time (as if teachers ever actually have down time), I wanted to get into pottery. When I sat down at the wheel in my first pottery class, something inside my exploded. It was like those stories you hear about a child sitting at a piano and the keys just instantly made sense to them. That was me with clay. Every movement made sense and filled me with so much peace and contentment.

I had no intensions of become a potter but before I knew it, people were reaching out to me to buy my work that I posted on my personal social media. It sort of just took off from there. 90% of the pottery I make is functional which is what lead to me being able to sell my mugs, tumblers, planters, etc.. in so many different shops locally. Nothing brings me joy more then getting tagged in photos of my work being enjoyed by people out in the world. Because of this, I really try and keep my prices in a range that anyone can enjoy them. I make pottery for the people.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When my father passed away, there was a big shift in me. I started to really think of my life and how I was going to in pact the world while also being able to provide for my family. And by provide for my family, I don’t just mean financially. My father was the heart of all of us and losing him, left a big gap that I knew I was going to have to pick up. I decided to leave teaching to focus on just that, being more present for my family as well as more present for building my pottery career. Leaving teaching is not like leaving other jobs. There is a horrible guilt that comes with the thought of leaving these children that you know need you so badly. At the end of the day, you have to learn to be selfish in the ways that wont hurt those around you. I needed to make big, selfish decisions in order to get to this incredible place with both my pottery business, as well as my internal happiness.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is something that I am really passionate about. The power of social media in growing a business can not be over looked, no matter how much we may personally hate it. Even if people can not monetarily support the artist they love, there are so many other ways to support them for free. The algorithms that are now part of social media are sucking the joy and creativity from artist. This is why we need people to support by liking, sharing, and spreading the word about the artists they love.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jamieraepottery.com
• Instagram: jamierae_pottery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamieraepottery