Today, I am so excited to share another one of the wonderful makers that Renegade Craft Fair introduced to me, SODA by Amy! SODA is the sweetest ceramics shop. At Renegade, I was smitten with the beautiful blues and creams that covered her table. And I really wanted to take home one of the little deer vases! Even her “business cards” were adorable, small round bits of ceramic with her shop’s information. Too cute!
Amy is currently taking part in Artprize and you, if you’re in the Chicago area, you can see her beautiful installation for yourself. Click here for details!
Q. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m originally from Michigan and studied interior design, art (ceramics!) and Furniture Design. I often work freelance design to help balance out my income and enjoy the flexibility of my schedule. I love to draw and work with various types of porcelain and paper. I’m often surprised how all my different interests intermix in my product.
Q. How did Soda get started?
I started SODA 4 years ago after my father became very ill. Life is short and precious. I had always dreamed of having my own business and expanding my creative ideas…so I got a studio, made a business plan and started to develop product and relationships with stores. A couple times of year I like to try new products and push myself a little harder to start something I hadn’t thought of. This year I hoped to be in a couple gallery shows…and I made it! Artprize and 50/50 Pilsen are huge milestones for me.
photos of Soda's booth at Renegade
Q. Your shop is so pretty! What is your creative process like?
I don’t really ever sit down and think I have to come up with something. Often ideas and concepts come to me at odd times. I may see something that gives me an idea or I develop in my head while working on something else. I keep a sketchpad by my work table and often jot down ideas so I don’t forget them. They sometimes are fleeting.
Q. Do you have a favorite piece to make?
My new favorites are the little porcelain houses that I created for the gallery shows. The Artprize piece was an immense task…to create a whole village. The houses represent something that my husband and I dream of having…they also have various features: sleeping lofts, window boxes, shutters, a fireplace or even a dutch door.
Q. What’s a normal day in your life like?
They’re all so different! I always have a list before I leave the house and head to the studio. Often there are orders to fill and I try to tackle all those first. At least once a week I try to have a half day where I can focus on something new or sketching an idea. Many days are filled with paperwork and answering emails….the nuts and bolts.
Q. What inspires you most of all?
Others, family, friends and the unexpected happy accident. Any artist knows what this is…you have an idea, you strive to make it happen and something completely out of the blue occurs that is even better than you had hoped for! Inspiration can come from anything if you are open to seeing it.
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