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

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

A recent passion project that is dear to me is a limited edition collection I have collaboratively crafted with Chicago violin maker Garrett Becker. Garrett and I have been working together since 2019 after we met through a combination of serendipity and artistry when Garrett purchased one of my vases in a Chicago store.

Over the years we have made a series of different projects together, determining what would be the best blend of our skills and mediums. Our first series of jars and vases are not only a perfect example of our interests, but an experiment in communication as we live in separate cities.

I make each ceramic vessel by hand, using no molds for the process, so each wooden element must be crafted off of every individual piece’s unique shape. The glazes I use in all of my work are ones I specially formulate in my studio, primarily focusing on soft, satin, finishes in a monochromatic color palette. Once a ceramic piece is complete it is taken to Chicago where a handcrafted component is made from carefully selected, unique, wood. Garrett chooses wood that will be most complimentary to the shape and glaze of the piece, with an eye towards unique figure and grain patterns. Using techniques similar to those in crafting violins the wood element is shaped, then sanded and polished to emulate the feel of the satin glazed ceramic, creating the illusion that the two mediums are truly one.

Each piece takes weeks to craft and is a true labor of love between two artists in two different cities. The first series of ten was realized in April 2023 and we anticipate offering another ten piece collection in late fall 2023.

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

Little Fire Ceramics is a single-artist operated business, which began in Chicago, Illinois and is currently located in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through my work I strive to encourage joy and connection in everyday experiences by creating handmade ceramics which marry form and function in a timeless aesthetic. I design, prototype, and craft each piece by hand, working primarily with wheel thrown pieces.

A passion for collaboration has led to partnerships with chefs to create custom tableware collections, providing a carefully curated dining experience for their guests. I am also honored to work with couples to craft custom wedding registries. These heirloom tableware collections are co-designed with the couple to include their style and be a lifelong part of their home. In addition to tableware, Little Fire Ceramics planters, vases, and drinkware are available through my website and in brick and mortar shops across the U.S.

Little Fire Ceramics has been a lifelong dream made reality. When I was in high school our art room had pottery wheels, but the teacher was more familiar with handbuilding. Being a teenager I, of course, gravitated much more towards what was not being taught in class – wheel thrown ceramics. I found a local art gallery and studio that held pottery classes and quickly fell in love with the art form. I became an apprentice to the owner, working with him for around three years, during which I grew to appreciate functional ceramics as well as the intricacies of running an arts-based small business.

I earned my BFA at Columbia College Chicago where I explored installation and conceptual sculptural art, but always felt a tug towards functional work. I took classes locally outside of college and also traveled to the Smokey Mountains to do a work-study program at a traditional craft school where I worked alongside woodworkers, jewelers, painters, and printmakers. These communities of makers were incredibly warm and open to sharing their ideas, techniques, and inspiration.

All of these experiences and the adoration for working with clay culminated in the distinct pull towards owning my own business and continuing my lifelong pursuit of being a professional artist. It combines all of my favorite things; making ceramics, cross-disciplinary connection, community, and endless opportunities to learn and grow. After eight years of Little Fire Ceramics officially being in business I still feel passionate about the work I create and grateful that I am able to continue to do it.

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

Getting to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds – whether that’s chefs, shop owners, other creatives, or engaged couples meeting to talk about custom wedding registries. The opportunity to have amazing conversations and develop ongoing relationships with people is very important to me. It is always exciting to see how my work is influenced by them and how their lives are in turn influenced by the finished products.

I believe that functional ceramics are a wonderful analogy for community. While it is gratifying to create pieces that can be appreciated on their own, the items reach their full potential when used by others. Vases look the most beautiful when a florist creates an arrangement for them. Plates bring the most joy when a delicious meal is eaten off of them. I’m grateful to be a small part of the journey these pieces will take.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Recently I have been returning to in-person events and it has been a huge source of joy for me. I happened to move to a new city, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just before the COVID ’19 pandemic began in the United States and had not done any markets or pop ups outside my studio since then. Even before COVID began I had slowed down these events as they can be a massive undertaking as the sole employee of my business, especially considering the weight and fragility of ceramics. The effort of making work that had to be packed up, carted to an event, unloaded, set up, and that may or may not sell because of bad weather, poor event turn out, or any other reason had taken a toll on me. I had started focusing my energy on selling primarily through my website and wholesale with stores, which was then reinforced by COVID causing all in person events to be cancelled for some time.

While I enjoy selling through my website and making long lasting relationships with brick and mortar shop partners, I felt like I was missing something. I tried a harder focus on social media, which led to lovely online conversations with a wider audience outside the Midwest, but it wasn’t until I started saying yes to invitations for in-person events again that the missing element became glaringly obvious. Prior to running Little Fire Ceramics full time I have always had jobs in retail and education spaces. Whether I was teaching art classes, managing a gallery, or selling plants, I have always loved the spontaneous interactions that happen in these spaces which can lead to new creative ideas and broader community.

Social media will continue to be a great way to reach new audiences that I otherwise may not interact with in-person, but the excitement I feel about pop-ups, markets, and the people I meet at them is something that I look forward to putting time and energy towards once again. Relearning that the hard work put into a successful event is well worth the reward has been a wonderful lesson to realize.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littlefireceramics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlefireceramics/
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Trestle Media