Over ten years ago I was walking along the side streets in Laguna Beach, California and came across a store that had the most amazing pottery in their window. I immediately went in and just had to have these two pieces that are still sitting in my living room bay window. Luckily, the name of the artist was written into the bottom of the vases so I contacted her to see about an interview for dandelion moms. Her pieces are so simple yet so beautiful in this simplicity. The clean lines are gorgeous and look amazing with a single stem flower of your choice coming out of the top. Plus Sara is providing dandelion moms a chance to win a Matte bottle trio set valued at $180. Perfect timing for that special mom or personal keepsake! We had a chance to speak about her work and where she finds inspiration for her pieces.
When did you realize you wanted to create pottery?
It’s funny, they actually had clay classes in my high school and I had no interest then. It was not until I had to take a ceramic hand building class in college, as part of a requirement for an art education degree, that I really fell in love with the medium. and it was pretty instant, as far as knowing I wanted to make pottery my career.
What are some of your challenges of being a business owner, artist and mom?
Being a business owner, and mother of 2 small children has really forced me to learn to do many different things at one time,many of them, things I am not particularly good at (like paperwork, and waking up early). My natural way of working is to hyper-focus on one thing for long periods of time and be kind of obsessive and solitary…. and of course you can’t do that when you are a mother, or a business owner because you are constantly being pulled in many directions. Strangely enough though I think the most efficiently I have ever worked was when my kids were babies (they are 4 and 6 now) and I would put them down for a nap and just tear through my to-do list like lightning, not knowing when my time would be up. Now they are both in school 4 days a week, I’m lucky to get half as much done all day, as I use to during their naps! I also hired my first assistant this past year after much resistance and it has been working out pretty well… though I do find I do my best work at night when I am in the studio alone and everyone has gone to bed.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Lately I am finding a lot of inspiration on my morning walk/run along the Emeryville Marina, about 5 minutes from our home. Drift wood, sea glass, rocks, thousands of birds, and the sweeping views of the San Francisco bay are giving me a lot of ideas for ceramic designs these days…. Also the monthly Alameda Antiques Flea market is always good for inspiration… looking at 200 years of art, design, and junk always gives me ideas (and also with a view of the SF bay!) So I guess any kind of solitary foraging with a grand view does it for me….
Do you have a favorite piece or line you’ve produced?
My favorite pieces are always the ones in my head I am about to do…
Any news you want to share with dandelion moms?
Yes, I have been working with a major retailer this past year and they are producing a line of my pottery that is about to
come out in their Spring catalog this month with an artisan feature… can’t say the name quite yet!
Wonderful news Sara! We wish you the best of luck and know you will continue to be successful with your beautiful pottery!
To read more about Sara and her work just go to: www.sarapaloma.com
To see her gorgeous collection available on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/search?q=sara%20paloma&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US
GOOD NEWS dandelion moms! Sara has provided us with a chance to win this gorgeous White Matte Bottle trio (retail value $180.00):
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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8 Comments
Tiffany M.
Beautiful pieces! I love playing with clay but I have NO talent. Just big spinning blobs. lol
Niamh
Love traditional Irish potters like Stephen Pearce – not sure what his style is called technically.
Judith Jamieson
I really don’t have a favorite I know when I see something if it’s for me and my home 🙂
Rhonda P.
I love southwestern pottery. But these are beautiful as well! (entering under FB name – Danny Taylor Rhonda)
LIsa B
I do have a favorite style of pottery but it doesn’t match my decor. I love the folk mud pottery of north Georgia and the surrounding areas. A friend of mine is part of a studio there (Red Mudd Studio) and I think they are all geniuses. I love the style of the Sara Paloma pottery for my decor, though. She is obviously a very talented artist.
Michelle Norris
Gorgeous pottery. I love the sheer organic look of these : ) Beautiful!
karen hinkle
no not yet but i am trying to
Lynette Mattke
I like all handmade pottery. We actually have a collection of white pottery in the living room – these would be PERFECT to add to it!