We were lucky to catch up with Toryn Avery recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Toryn, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
The initial way that I sold my pottery was at the farmers market in my hometown; I’ll never forget my first one. I had officially started my business that week, but hadn’t set up any social media yet, so it was just by word of mouth that anyone knew about Opal Ceramics. So, I had no idea how my first day would go and I was definitely nervous. Within the first half hour of the market, I sold my first pot. It was a medium-sized bowl in a Dijon glaze with ferns carved all around. Looking back, that really was a sign because fern carvings have since become a bit of a signature look of mine. The woman who I sold it to was incredibly sweet and has since become a return customer.
The rest of the day was sort of a whirlwind because it ended up being very busy and I sold a significant portion of my inventory, which was completely unexpected. It was really amazing to receive so much positive feedback from market goers. This experience gave me a real confidence boost. And since I needed to keep up my inventory each week for the market, it also helped drive my work ethic and set the tone for the future of my business.
Toryn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Toryn Avery and I am the potter behind Opal Ceramics. I first got into pottery in November 2021 when my partner signed me up for a beginner wheel class at our local community studio in Raleigh, NC. I had wanted to get into pottery since I was young, but never had the resources to do so. After completing my master’s program in Applied Mathematics in May 2021, I was struggling to find a job. So, I dove headfirst into ceramics. I spent every day that I could in the studio and I loved it. I took a few more classes, and then I got a membership and worked on my own to continue developing my skills.
Initially, pottery was simply a hobby that helped me get through a tough time in my life. But the longer I worked in the studio, I realized that I couldn’t imagine not making pots every day of my life. I found myself actually wanting to work hard, be challenged, fail, and try again. During this same time, I was still working towards getting an office job in a mathematical field, but was feeling frustrated as time went on and nothing worked out. And then I thought, why am I trying so hard to create a life that is not fulfilling, when I could have a life that I enjoy. This realization led me to decide to setup my own ceramics studio at home when we moved back to NY. In addition, I officially started Opal Ceramics and began selling my work at local markets and craft fairs, and eventually on my website.
Currently, I specialize in making functional work, such as mugs, bowls, jars, spoon rests, vases, etc. But this upcoming year, I am excited to expand into more specific kitchenware, such as oil pourers, garlic keepers, butter dishes, salt cellars, and more!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
One beautiful quality of ceramics is that it can be a functional art form. When you drink coffee from a handmade mug or eat pasta from a handmade bowl, you are able to see and feel the marks left by the hands that created each piece. I love making functional ceramics because it is amazing to know that people are enjoying having my work incorporated into their day in such an intimate way. It is very fulfilling to know that my work can bring any amount of joy to someone’s day.
On a personal level, I also feel that this journey has contributed significantly to my individual growth. Through pottery, I have learned to be a more patient and thoughtful person. Typically, it takes at least a few weeks to make a batch of pots – from throwing and trimming to glazing and firing – and in that time many things can go wrong. Pots can collapse on the wheel, crack when drying or firing, or they can simply be dropped. I have learned to take more care with each piece and to accept that not every lump of clay is meant to be a finished pot. Luckily, clay is an easily recyclable material (at least up until it has been fired) and any clay scraps can be reused when making future pots.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As I mentioned, I am from a small town with very few resources for potters. So, one goal that I have had since I started Opal Ceramics is to open a community pottery studio that offers classes and open studio memberships to budding potters. When I started my ceramics journey in Raleigh, I had access to a huge community of fellow potters that I had the pleasure of getting to know and learning from. Not only do I miss being around those amazing people, but I would love to also bring that experience to the community in which I grew up.
Contact Info:
- Website: opalceramics.com
- Instagram: @opal.ceramics
- Facebook: /opal.ceramics1