Courtney of Light Heart Adventures invited me onto their podcast Roll Play Grow, "the podcast for tabletop entrepreneurs, creators, and fans. In this podcast, we talk to the creators behind the brands in the tabletop roleplay gaming space about who they are and how they are turning their passion for gaming into a career"

​We started with talking all about how I got into D&D and where my current campaign(s) are. Not gonna lie, I love talking about my PC! What player doesn't?? Then we moved on to how I got into ceramics, my path into full time, and how I manage it all. We also talked a bit about Etsy versus having your own shop, and making that choice for which one or both!

here's the episode!

Bullet journalling is part of my everyday life, and it really does help me keep my small business on track, and works well with my chaotic artist brain! I used Struthless's prompts to guide me through these questions to evaluate where I am, how I'm doing so far, and to figure out how I want the rest of the year to go for me. I had to look back at my 2020 review/2021 goals video for reference.

This not only help clear my thoughts, but it gave me a game plan heading into the busiest season for me! 

I got to chat with Dee Chavez all about my time vending at markets and shows across the state. We also chatted about animal crossing, business, and process! I hope you'll have a chance to give it a listen.

Click here to listen and for the show notes

I'm so happy I got to chat with two fellow nerdy potters, Donte of Earth Nation Ceramics and Lindsey M. Dillon! It was a fun time talking shop with them, especially as my first podcast interview with other artists in the biz.

here's a link to listen to it on Spotify. Or if you prefer, you can watch it on YouTube!

I mentioned this blog post in a podcast interview and was shocked to see the list was made six years ago! Granted, it still holds up and much of the content on those podcasts is evergreen, meaning it's applicable even today. Some of those podcasts have ended and others are still going strong. But what am I listening to these days for entrepreneurial advice? I thought it was time for an updated list! 

• Create and Thrive -  I've been following Jess Van Den for quite some time! 4+ years of listening to this podcast and I'm still learning something new each episode. Create and Thrive is full of tips for building a thriving, handmade business.
• The Business of Making - Three experts in the handmade industry giving business advice with their collective 20 years experience? yes please. 
• Dear Handmade Life - From the organizers of Craftcation and Patchwork Show, this podcast has really meaningful conversations around having a handmade business. I love that the interviews cover bits about the artist's life, but also includes in depth questions 
• Being Boss - This was on my last list, and it's still really good! Emily Thompson has taken on BB solo for the last two years, and she still manages to bring value; especially when it comes to thinking BIG.
• Creative Biz Rebellion​ - They're currently on hiatus, but I still think the back log of this podcast is worth going through! The conversations are lively and relatable for Etsy shop owners and handmade businesses.
• Etsy Success Podcast - While I don't pay my Etsy shop much attention, I still think it's worth keeping up with the leading name in the handmade industry. They have valuable insight in shopping trends, spending trends, and all sorts of SEO info that is useful even without an Etsy shop. 
• The Potters Cast - 600+ episodes later and Paul Blais is still going! Everyone has a unique story to tell and Paul is a great interviewer.
• The Mud Peddlers - Am I biased because they interviewed me? Maybe....BUT Lindsey and Donte have awesome conversations surrounding the intersection of ceramics, business, and nerd. What could be better?? 
• Boldli Podcast - One more ceramics podcast for the list! I'm sure there's more out there, but I've been enjoying their interviews with artists of all kinds, not just potters.
• The Goal Digger Podcast​ - Okay, last one! This podcast is a little cheesy, but it's another "thing big" type of podcast for me. Intention setting, email marketing, and work life balance are common themes.

Hopefully this list will help round out your podcast library! I'm always looking for more podcasts, let me know your favorites! 

2020 was a wild year. It was emotionally draining, but I also learned so much about myself and how to navigate my recent growth spurt in my business. I detail it all month by month in this video.

It's that time of year!! Every year I try to complete my holiday shopping by supporting exclusively small handmade businesses. Normally I'm vending at markets so it ends up being pretty easy! But this year is obviously very different with no in person markets. So a gift guide will not only help me with my online shopping, but maybe you'll find something great to get for a loved one (or yourself!)

This list can be used beyond the holidays. Random gifts (especially in the colder upcoming months) I find to be even more special when it's unexpected :) Each category is someone I have to shop for, with maybe a few bonus categories! I'll update this blog post as I discover more shops on my holiday shopping journey.

If I include their instagram, that means they typically sell out within a day or two of their shop updates, so you might have to keep an eye out if you want something. I also made sure to make this list is diverse; more than half of the shops listed are owned and operated by people of color.  

On to the list!

The great outdoors

• Cinder + Salt - An eco conscious clothing brand with tons of designs celebrating the outdoors. They even use salvaged screen printing ink! Great for those who love a good hike
• Quest for the Beasties - Handmade one of a kind plushies and illustrations; forest sprites, bat friends, and so much cuteness! Might be best to check the instagram for shop updates. @questforthebeasties on IG
• Etch Hold Arts - pottery for those enchanted by the creepy crawlies. Rustic and delightful! @etch_hold_arts on IG 
• Bark + Vine - Bring the outdoors inside! This shop makes plants accessible and approachable; and they ship these plants with great care!

The Foodie in your life

• Adobo y Soul - My sister finished culinary school and just started her own business! She makes adobo and sazón from scratch. Tastes better and better for you! 
• La Comida De Jeremie - Art inspired by Puerto Rican food with a vegan twist! @lacomidadejeremie on IG 
• The Spice Beast - We're all cooking more and I bet ALL of our spice cabinets can use a refresh! These spices pack a punch, vegan friendly, and free of artificial fillers! I love the idea of a combo pack.
• The Vegan Potter - Lyndsay's pots are some of my favorite for every day use! her work truly highlights the food for foods sake.
• Dave's Angry Sauce - we all have that ONE person who looooveesss spicy (I am that person). They would love to try some small batch, artisan sauces and jams, trust me.

Fantasy, Magic, and TTRPG

• Zunda Illustrations - You will not regret commissioning Sara to draw your D&D party! One commission, five gifts am I right? There is also plenty of original work to drool over, like her new journals or handmade dice sets!
• The Monster's Inn - Have you seen these mimic mugs??? Every fan of monsters needs a trusty mimic mug. Buyer beware! 
• Mint Coven - Magical yarn goodies that make me feel like a druid in the faewild.
• Pottery Witch - magical mystical pottery with a nice dose of plant love!
• Lindsey Dillon - I'm not the only one making pottery for gamers! Her work is sleek in it's simplicity while still celebrating the game.

All the media! Anime, TV, Movies, etc...

• Jag Ink Studio-  Jillian is an illustrator who has similar taste in shows as me, clearly! From the ABC's of Broadway to a map of Schitt's Creek, I can't recommend her shop enough. 
• Teal Teacup - I am in love with these pins! Such a unique style. Some fandoms include: Steven Universe, ACNH, Adventure Time, Studio Ghibli, as well as original works!
• Adorned by Chi - I have been wanting something from this shop for a LONG time! There are so many shirts and crew necks that show off the love we have for anime. And bread. The bread shirt is cute too :)
• Iggy Starpup - makes some of the cutest felt art in embroidery hoops! So many characters from our favorite games and shows get a moment to shine in these one of a kind hoops @iggystarpup on IG 
• Unicorn Crafts - I fell in love with their Como La Flor pin and stayed for the polymer clay earrings! so many cute and colorful options for gifts, especially for the Disney lover in your life.

Self Care is the best Care

• Natural Annie Essentials - My favorite candle company! the scents are absolutely delicious and decadent, guaranteed to transport you with their scents.
• Payne & Comfort - handmade hot/cold packs for those weary bones. So many prints to choose from, whether they love geometric or a spooky floral!
• Florapothicarie - Vegan, handmade, and 100% natural beauty and skin care! Find something luxe for every gender. 
• Melanin Haircare - If you rock natural tresses like myself, hair products are not a weird gift! The style cream is my go-to ;)
• Crown Paint Colors - Know someone who loves to color their hair? Hair wax and shadows are fairly new to the scene but I'm loving them! They coat the strands, look much more natural than a spray, and wash out in one shampoo; they even work on dark hair WITHOUT BLEACH.  


• Woah what a list! I hope this helps you to find something unique and awesome for your loved one while shopping small, or at the very least sparked some ideas for things to buy! 
  
  Happy shopping!
  ​-Avé

A little bit ago I had the pleasure of speaking with Randell, host of The Dope Show on my experiences growing up as a black nerd, and how that influenced my career as an artist! 

The Dope Show is a new podcast aimed at chronicling the experiences of BIPOC in the nerd community at large. I'm so fortunate to be a part of this! I can't wait for more from this cast. If you're a BIPOC nerd looking to join the conversation, you can find Randell on twitter or comment below, I'm always looking for fellow blerds <3

​This podcast is also available on Spotify, google podcasts, radio public, and pocketcast.

I get this question at least once a week, so I thought it best to write all about it here! I use Duncan Ceramics 22k Gold Luster. It's a teeny tiny 2oz bottle, but it goes a long way. This is applied and fired after the glaze fire, anywhere between cone 020 to 018, depending on what else I got going on for an overglaze fire. The luster takes on the texture of whatever glaze it is applied on; so if applied on a matte glaze, the gold will also be matte. 

Some best practices:

• Only use in a well ventilated area with a mask! This stuff gives off VOCs so it's best to protect those lungs. 
• Use a dedicated brush or brushes. They won't be the same after cleaning, and lusters tend to pick up contaminants from other products very easily. It's best to have a dedicated set to avoid any unwanted marks on your work. 
• Use gloves or be very aware of where you touch! Luster needs a clean, grease free surface to truly shine. The oils from our hands are enough to muck it up. If my pots aren't coming straight out of the kiln, I'll prep the surface with a quick wipe down of rubbing alcohol.
• You only need one, relatively thin coat. Too thick and it will drip (could look cool...maybe) and too thin it will have a purple tint. It takes practice.
• Gold lusters contain real gold, so any wares with it cannot go in the microwave. Metal sparks! It also explains the price point of lusters.

I think that about does it! Lusters are a great way to add a truly special touch to any pot or sculpture. I would consider this an intermediate product/technique, since basic understandings of firing a kiln are required, and it's an expensive product that requires a delicate touch. But don't let that intimidate you; who doesn't love shiny things?

If this article was helpful, let me know in the comments. Happy luster-ing!