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

Samm, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have always found so much joy in making things with my hands. That joy would more than double when I’d give my work along with a little piece of my heart to a loved one and see them smile because of it. I hadn’t realized that making things could be my career until much later.

Someone very dear to me showed me the wonders of modeling clay at an early age, but it wasn’t until I was married that I truly fell into sync with ceramics. I’ve always been a very determined person (sometimes to my own detriment), but I began facing some health complications that sort of dampened my inner fire. Hopelessness started to fill me and I felt like I was barely existing because I felt so sick. My husband, who has always been my biggest supporter, decided he was going to take me on a date to a wheel throwing ceramics class to cheer me up. Well, being the perfectionist that I am, I was incredibly frustrated that my little pot I was trying to turn was nothing short of a hideous blob. I was so angry at myself because I wasn’t instantly amazing or even decent at throwing pottery, but I knew that I wanted to learn that craft inside and out. That class rekindled the fire inside of me to strive for something. I told my ever patient husband that I wanted to try that again sometime. A few months later, Christmas came around. My husband rolled a handmade potter’s wheel into the living room that he and my father built just for me. I spent way too much time in my garage throwing wonky pots on that wheel until I could make something I was proud of. It just clicked that I wanted to spend my days creating something that challenged me- something that I could throw my heart and soul into.

Pottery can be artful but it’s useful. I have come to love its humble nature.Thinking of someone using a mug or vessel that I’d crafted for the cozy moments throughout their day felt like a dream to me. People need those moments to unwind with a hot tea or coffee. They need a favorite bowl to put their feel good soup in. It just made sense as a business because pots will always be useful.

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

Before and during college, I sold paintings to loved ones for extra pocket money. It was so much more than that though. I never enjoyed painting something “just because”. I wanted my work to bring comfort, the feelings of home, and happy memories. While my craft has changed over time, and is changing even now, the basic sentiment remains the same. I hope to create things that make someone feel all of those good things.

My family is one made of creatives and makers. Growing up, my mom would sew and design our home while my dad would build or craft literally anything he put his mind to whether it was cars or woodwork or anything in between. Together they made our house feel like magic. To receive something that they’d made just for me felt like I was the most special person to them. I always felt love through their works. I wanted to replicate those feelings for others through my own art.

Building a ceramics business is something I’m proud of, but the thing that I’m most proud of, the thing that influenced my work the most, is my family. They are the reason I create anything-to serve them and bring them happiness. As I’ve gotten older and built my own family, I’ve realized that is the best possible thing I could ever create. My husband and I welcomed our first baby this past year, and there is really no topping him as far as creations go. I once worked 10+ hour days to grow my ceramics business. I loved it that much. The days of throwing pots are a little fewer these days, and I feel myself pulled to other creative outlets that better serve the season I’m in. I’ll always make ceramics in some capacity but the form of my work is ever evolving to best channel those feelings of home. You’ll still see pots from me at The Clay Moon, but I’m also working on some new work under a new brand , The Midnight Mustard Seed, that serves other mamas, babies, and their homes that ranges from wall art to textiles and other functional pieces. If anything that I create remotely makes someone else feel cozy, comforted , and loved then I count that as a job well done.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I went to college and studied two things: art and organizational leadership. I knew deep down that I wanted making art to be my job, but it seemed like I needed to get a “traditional” job and do art “ on the side”. There were several years where I tried out quite a few traditional jobs, but I never felt happy or fulfilled. I’ve been a logistics analyst, a display coordinator, and even an elementary teacher. Throughout those years at my many normal jobs, I did art shows and craft markets on the weekends. I was at a market during my year as a teacher when I realized that to make this art thing work, I had to throw myself in completely. It deserved my full attention and if it didn’t work, at least I gave it my all. It was terrifying to give up the stability of a paycheck, but money isn’t what filled my soul up. Making art was. I was blessed to have a husband that supported and encouraged me, so I took that leap. It was hard work- the hardest and most I’d worked, but things clicked into place. I sold my work on Etsy, my own website, and wholesale until it became too much to manage on my own! Now I’m navigating scaling and honing my work to still be enjoyable and meaningful while trying to fulfill larger quantities.

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

I am currently in a season of change within my business. Where I was what felt like a one woman band before, I now find that I need support and smaller loads. My ceramics process at The Clay Moon began to feel like an assembly line. I felt like a factory instead of a maker that wants to put heart and soul into her work. I missed that connection and those loving touches that I could give on a smaller scale. After the birth of my son, it only made sense to pull back a little and reevaluate the way I was doing things. I want to create heirloom pieces that can be passed down and well loved through the years. So in this season, I’m doing what may seem counterintuitive for a business. I’m slowing down to create work that will better serve others as well as myself throughout the years to come. Sometimes you can scale too big and lose the love and quality that goes in. Those are two things I’ll never be able to sacrifice for a dollar.

I’ll still be slinging pots on a smaller scale at my ceramics company the Clay Moon. My new little business, The Midnight Mustard Seed will also be opening soon to bring new work for moms, babies, and the home in the hectic seasons of raising a family because that’s where I’m at too. Creativity is fluid and I believe that it will change with us as our lives go from season to season.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Theclaymoon.com | https://themidnightmustardseed.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/theclaymoon www.Instagram.com/themidnightmustardseed

Image Credits
Last photo (portrait) credit: Josh Owens