Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Brendlinger.
Hi Summer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started working with clay in high school, continued on in college and have been working with clay ever since. After my undergraduate degree, I went back to school to study for my Masters in Teaching. I began teaching elementary school and my pottery became something I worked on in the early mornings to help keep balanced.
In 2021 I stopped teaching for a few years and became a full time potter, supplementing my time with teaching high school and adult pottery classes at a local studio. While this was all very enriching and fullfilling, I really missed working with elementary aged students.
I am now working at a sweet school as a part time specialist. This job allows me the balance I need to feel academically engaged and creatively satisfied. When I am not in the school, I spend my days in my pottery studio.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. During my full time teaching years I struggled to steal away an hour in the morning, often waking up just before 5 am to work in my cold studio. But I did it because I know that clay helps keep me centered and creating was worth it.
When I stopped teaching and worked as a full time potter, I also struggled. I was shipping my pottery all over the country and felt a large sense of pride in that. The cost of working as production potter and selling my work at wholesale cost was difficult for me. I was mass producing work that was meant to be produced slowly and in small batches. This pressure really took my passion for the craft away. That was when I decided to find a way to work part time in my studio and have a steady job that allowed me to slow down my production and work on pieces that were driven by my passion istead of from the need to make enough revenue by selling large quantities of work.
Finding this balance has been an absolute blessing and it shows in my work.
All of that said, I wouldn’t change a single thing about my journey. All the roadblocks, twists and turns and dissapointment have led me to the place I am now. I am grateful that my passion for making art has helped guide me where I am now.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My art work is all functional. I believe that having handmade pottery in the home encourages us to slow down and take mini moments of peace in an increasingly busy world.
Each of my pieces are designed to invite you to slow down, enjoy the moment and find something new in the routines of daily life.
My current line of work is heavily inspired by slow crafts such as quilting, Penssylvania Duch Hex Signs and Barn Squares. I find that my work helps the viewer (and user) connect with pieces from the past that speak to our ancestors and heritage.
Most of my line work is in a deep, warm colbalt blue. I am working to incorporate additonal colors, like burnt sienna, dusty mustard and mossy green for this fall’s release.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love any podcast that talks about clay. Lately, I have been hooked on one called ‘Between Two Ewers’.
A few books that I have found influencial in my creativity are The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, The Creative Act by Rick Rubin and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Sunshine Cobb’s book, Mastering Handbuilding has heavily influenced my approach to clay.
And when I am not reading these books or listening to these podcasts, I can easily be lost in a Kristin Hannah novel or dancing around to classic rock.
Pricing:
- Price you work to include your time. It is hard sometimes, as artists to value our time, but it is necessary. Your customers will find you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kilnedwithkindness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kilnedwithkindness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kilnedwithkindnesspotterystudio
- Youtube: Kilned with Kindness
