Welcome to my in conversation with Lizzie owner of Croucherli ceramics…
Q: What do you love most about your ceramics?
I love that my ceramics are functional objects that bring a little magic to the everyday – A happy face on a mug to greet you with your morning coffee, or an incense dish that brings a little more love to a ritual.
Q: What have you learned about yourself and your ceramics since 2018?
Since 2018 I have transitioned in small steps from working full-time as a project manager in a gallery, to a full-time independent artist/maker – during this process, I have learned that I am at my best when working for myself & being completely responsible for the outcome of my productivity. Being solely in charge of my motivation to work, acknowledging & learning from mistakes and making sure I celebrate successes were all really difficult for me when I worked for someone else, or in a team. Now, working as a sole trader, I feel like I can take full ownership of these things and map out my growth as a business, an artist and my life in general.
One thing I have learned about my practice as a potter, is that I absolutely have to make things that make me happy or they simply won’t connect with my audience! Learning this has also really helped me to hone the steps of my making process – if any part of my process was frustrating for me, I could really feel the effects of that in a finished piece.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m influenced by anything that is created with the purpose of brightening someone’s day, making someone smile! I keep this intention embedded within my own pieces & my working practice.
Q: Are there any little tips or tricks you’ve learned over the last three years, that would help or inspire your work for the future?
One tip for anyone working with clay is to be extremely, painstakingly patient! Clay can be forgiving at certain stages of the making process, but for the most part it definitely requires a lot of patience.
I’ve certainly learned to have fun with my work. I think this stems from how I originally got into pottery; I joined an evening course with a local potter as a creative escape from full time work. I always aim to go into future projects & pieces with a playfulness, and keep the whole process fun – this intention weaves its way into the final pieces.
I’m also learning to really lean into & listen to my audience – they definitely inspire my future work, they are really invested in my journey and have some fantastic ideas.
Q: Do you listen to music when you are making your pots and if so, what are you currently listen to?
I love music, and always listen to something while I’m working – it depends where I am working and what I’m doing! If I’m going to be spending a long time on one task (ie: throwing multiple pieces on the wheel), I’ll usually be starting early in the morning at my studio. For this, I usually listen to Radio X – as well as playing good music, the presenters always make me laugh while I’m working, and make the time pass quickly too.
I also have a library of playlists on my Spotify that I’ve been creating since I was a teenager – anything from Mowtown to Punk Rock – so depending on my mood I can always delve into those.
Q: What do you personally find the most challenging thing about your ceramics?
The most challenging thing for me is when I open a kiln and something has gone wrong – either due to my mistakes or an issue with the kiln. Although this only happens on occasion, I can find it really challenging to bounce back from quickly – it’s a little soul destroying and sends me into a spiral of questioning my abilities! However, this is the nature and risk of ceramics, and I knew that when I decided to pursue the pottery journey.
Q: What is the highlight of your career so far, or your proudest moment?
The highlight of my career is actually happening right this moment – I’m building my very own studio at home, and have just bought my first brand new kiln! My next highlight will be when it’s all finished… Hopefully in the next few weeks.
Q: Who is your favourite artist or craftsperson, and why?
My favourite craftsperson/people are Studio Arhoj; a Danish design & production studio based in Copenhagen, founded by Anders Arhoj. As well as producing amazing ceramics they also create glass objects and prints. I love the playfulness & vibrancy but also the visual simplicity of their work. I visited their studio in 2019 – a store and workshop in the same space – it was absolutely the inspiration I needed to go forward with my own practice.
Q: What is your favourite piece in your collection that has just arrived at Wonky Wheel Gallery, and why?
That is a very difficult question because they are all individually adorable! I get asked this question a lot about my whole collection and I find it hard to answer – because my favourite piece is always the next piece I make! I have a particular soft spot for any of my pieces that have rosy pink cheeks, though.
Q: Can you write to your younger self and explain what it’s like to be an artist and what would you change or tell your younger self to do differently.
Well, when I was younger I was determined that I was going to be a dancer – a different path to where I’ve ended up – but I am delighted to be working as an artist regardless of the artform.
I would say that being an artist such hard work, physically and mentally, but it can also be so rewarding and liberating. It enables you to focus your energy where you want to – whether that’s fully on your own work, or giving a little energy to other things you’re passionate about – and no two days are the same.
My path has been quite a winding one in terms of my work, career & interests – training as a dancer, stepping away from dance, working different roles in community arts, then stepping away from that career at a stage where I could have really progressed.. and now I’m here, my reality today. I never like to think about what I might change or do differently, because things may be different if I did – and I’m very lucky to be making a living doing what I love.
I hope you enjoyed out in conversation with week… to learn more about Croucherli click here to see the full collection of work arriving on the 1st June 2021