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

Hi Liz, thanks for joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under the leadership of Sarah Steininger LeRoux during my time at Saltstone Ceramics. Sarah was not only an exceptional boss but also a mentor in the field of ceramics. I initially met her as a student, and her willingness to share her extensive knowledge of ceramics was truly remarkable.

As a boss, Sarah demonstrated a kindness and compassion I had never seen in a leader. I remember attending a staff meeting where work assignments were being delegated to myself and my two colleagues. Initially, all the tasks were assigned to one co-worker, solely for tracking purposes, and we later divided them amongst ourselves during the meeting. It was a tiny thing. However, during our subsequent one-on-one meeting, Sarah sincerely apologized for inadvertently creating the impression that one co-worker was being trusted with all the responsibility, while I was left without any assignments. Her thoughtfulness and willingness to proactively address potentially hurt feelings truly touched me.

Sarah’s humility and ability to take responsibility for her actions were evident throughout my time working with her. She would readily say, ‘whoops, my bad, I’m sorry. Here’s how to fix that.’ It was the first time in my professional life that I had a manager who was willing to admit mistakes and apologize, setting a remarkable example for me and fostering a culture of accountability and understanding within the company.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Sam, Jude, and I all arrived at Saltstone Ceramics through different paths, but around the same time. Jude brought extensive experience in ceramics and had relocated from Southern California, while Sam was completing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and I was taking a break from a career in software engineering.

What connected us was the joy we found in working with clay and having a creative space in our lives. Ceramics provided us with a space where we could immerse ourselves, focusing solely on the clay. Having a dedicated creative practice has positively impacted our mental well-being throughout our lives, and it motivates us to provide others with a similar opportunity to tap into their own creative projects.

Saltstone Ceramics is a unique studio because we offer classes and operate as a ceramics store. Our store features mostly local artists from Washington, and we love showcasing their talent and craftsmanship. We provide a range of one-day classes, both on the wheel and off. Our popular one-night throwing class is perfect for people seeking to learn the basics of wheel throwing, whether it’s for a fun date night or for fans of shows like the Great Pottery Throwdown. Our one-day workshops focus on specific projects and techniques. The most involved course we offer is an 8-week program, providing comprehensive instruction in creating forms, decorating, and glazing. While we emphasize certain techniques each week, students have the freedom to explore and build whatever they like.

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

There are many ways to foster support for artists and cultivate thriving ecosystems within the community. One way is to embrace the concept of shopping small and shopping local. It’s often a higher cost but this approach directly benefits the community by supporting local artists and businesses. For those with the means, purchasing from independent artists and local establishments, individuals contribute to the growth and sustainability of the creative community.

Additionally, taking a ceramics lesson or delving into the process behind creating these artistic pieces can be a meaningful way to appreciate the work and skill involved. Understanding the intricacies of ceramics production provides insight into the dedication and craftsmanship behind each piece showcased in the gallery. For many artists, the compensation they receive per hour often falls well below minimum wage. Often times after a lesson, students will look at the pieces in the gallery with new eyes and really be amazed!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Mentors and the community around us have been invaluable resources in our journey. Sarah, the pervious owner, in particular, has been incredibly generous with her business and ceramic knowledge. She started the business and has supported us in everything from what lightbulbs we need in the studio to how to change parts in the kiln Through the greater ceramics community, we found our bookkeeper through one of the gallery artists and our payroll service through collaboration on a show. The internet has also proven to be an invaluable resource. We find everything from glaze recipes to kiln schematics which empowers us to tackle more technical tasks by ourselves.

As for what I wish we had know earlier, it’s hard to say! We were really lucky with the people who have been supporting us from the start. I will say it never hurts to ask for help or take people up on their offers to help.  

Contact Info:

• Website: saltstoneceramics.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/saltstoneceramics
• Facebook: facebook.com/saltstoneceramics
• pinterest: pinterest.com/saltstoneceramics