We recently connected with Jessie Rienerth and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jessie 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 learned mostly on the job. I will say my ceramics program in college introduced me to the craft and my professors were great mold makers in their own right. They also got me my first gig making molds in a production setting. That first job was a crash course, and taught me a lot in just 4 years. I’m not sure I would want to speed up that learning process. I do wish I would have been more interested in the digital side of the craft. Learning some kind of Autodesk program for modeling is something I still want to tackle.
The skills that I think are most essential in mold making are being thorough and being able to look ahead in the project. The mold is the first step in the production process and if something is off in the mold, the problem will just multiply and get worse on the production floor. You kind of just need to be super paranoid about everything that could possibly go wrong so you can prevent it.
The obstacles that stood in the way of learning more were money and just me really. I was so concerned with having solid income and being financially stable, I think I limited myself in looking for outside opportunities, like traveling or doing residencies. I was afraid to try for an opportunity that wouldn’t help pay my loans or my rent and I think I could have done a bette job of just trying something and figuring it out.

Jessie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a mold maker for ceramic production. I cast the plaster pieces that go on to create a form of my employer or client’s choosing. Most of the molds I make are for dinnerware and functional wares, but I have also made a few molds for figurines and decorative objects.
In the beginning of my career, after getting the job at the factory in Cincinnati, I learned how to make different types of molds for a hydraulic press system. This process was new to me and I enjoyed the immediacy of the production and the possibilities it offered to a smaller production line. I focused most of my attention on learning this type of mold making and became more educated on how to start making bowls, plates, and cups using this hydraulic press.
Because of my knowledge in this type of production, in 2017 I was recommended to a start-up pottery company in North Carolina to build out their mold shop. East Fork pottery was just beginning their transition from all hand-thrown pots on a farm in rural North Carolina to a full on production facility. This was the most influential time in learning my craft because they wanted ALL of their forms converted to molds and they were on a tight timeline. While at East Fork we were constantly working towards making more, faster and more efficiently. I made production molds using the hydraulic press, the jigger/jolly system, and hot head roller tools. I am really proud of the work I did for East Fork, but they grew to a point where I no longer was feeling like I was growing in my craft. The handwork was becoming less necessary for what they were trying to achieve and I learned that I would rather be putting my knowledge towards helping smaller companies and potters.
Now I am back in Cincinnati and making molds for a small production studio that uses the same hydraulic press system for some of their dinnerware, as well as slip cast molds for the more complex forms. I have also done some side jobs for local companies and clay studios as well as some potter friends.
My main goal for the future of my career is to keep catering to the smaller production studios and solo artists. I have a strong belief that mold making can be an affordable investment in growing production at any size. I want employers and clients to spend the least amount of money possible and gain enough knowledge in mold making to become autonomous in the process they require. I also would love to start teaching workshops and classes in plaster casting and mold design.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I will say that my skills are pretty niche, so if someone in the market is looking for my skill set, there is a good chance they might come across my work or someone I have worked with. What helped me build my reputation in my market was networking early and saying yes to any opportunity that was presented to me when I first left school. Because did this, I was able to build a solid network of local ceramic artists when I was pretty young. After getting the job at the Cincinnati factory, I obtained a position in leadership that helped to boost my credentials and resume. Once some of my connections I had made earlier in my career started making recommendations for me, I had more confidence in my experience. Taking on leadership positions in my field also gave me more influence and allowed me to broaden my connections.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being in a creative field is the satisfaction of making something by hand or just having a hand in producing something that is bigger than yourself. Working with other creatives and helping them to realize a goal they have or make their process more efficient is very fulfilling. The community I work in is also super supportive and willing to share their knowledge and skills.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rheinoceramic
• Linkedin: Jessie Rienerth

Image Credits
Donnie Rex