I've always been drawn to the earth and its various forms—from spending many summers gardening and growing a love for plants, to collecting rocks and sand from around the world, to learning how to hand-build clay in high school, I often have my hands in the mud in one way or another. When a good friend of mine asked if I would like to join her in a pottery class a few years ago, I kind of knew instinctively that I would enjoy it. It's been a love affair ever since.

I live on an island in a city that's surrounded by water on three sides with remnants of old growth forests, mountains to the north and south, craggy shorelines, and epic sky gazing from endless beaches. It's hard not to pull inspiration from the beautiful west coast nature that surrounds me. I'm also influenced by traditional Japanese forms and the lightness of Scandinavian design while being rooted in this beautiful landscape I live in. And my dog Isla.

Thinking about when I can get to the studio next (just kidding, sort of). I have a lab/shepherd dog named Isla who I try to bring everywhere with me, so a lot of my time is spent doing things with her and my partner; we surf, sail, hike, beachcomb, canoe, and go on lots of road trips with her. When I'm not doing those things, I'm usually cooking or eating. Victoria is chock full of great farmers markets, coffee shops and restaurants, so it's easy to eat well here.

It depends on what I'm making, but if it's something I haven't made before or want to tweak the design of, I usually start out by sketching it out and jotting down any notes or thoughts. Pottery is largely about minute muscle memory, so drawing it out on paper first really helps me visualize what movements I need to make when I'm creating new pieces. Breathing is a must, music is a must, a window is a must, and having Isla at my feet makes it perfect. 

When I first started out, I made it my goal to say yes to every opprotunity—to all the markets, commissions, store orders, special events, and collaborations. Although that was great in some ways, the biggest thing I have learned is to establish boundaries. Especially with time. It's okay to be more selective now—I can't say yes to everything, and I can't spend every hour of every day at the wheel. Spending time away from your business is nourishing and grounding.

I'm extremely lucky to live in a city where people seem to really value supporting small local businesses, and in a time when shopping small is an international movement. One of the most important things to me is community; anytime someone supports a local artist or a small family run business, they're feeding the community—both literally and socially. Knowing whose hands made your favourite cup, bowl, or planter makes it so much more special.