Ave Rivera | Ceramics
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2020 Gift guide!

11/12/2020

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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
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Interview on the Dope Show

6/3/2020

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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.
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What type of Gold do I Use?

5/4/2020

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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! 
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What Happened with Etsy?

2/9/2020

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Lately I've been getting quite a few messages and inquiries about my Etsy shop. Why do I still have it? is the same stock on your site also on Etsy? Should you shop here or there?

Last year I made the big switch and upgraded this site to include e-commerce. This was sparked by recent changes in the way Etsy markets products to buyers, prioritizing products with free shipping in search results. That's all fine and dandy, but free shipping is not something I can reasonably offer without feeling grimy about raising my prices by $15+. Since I was driving all of my own traffic anyways, this turned out to be a cost effective move too!

So now all of my shop updates, current stock, and anything else I make will be primarily listed here. NOT Etsy. My Etsy shop will not carry the same inventory either; that would be a back end nightmare! 

Why still have an Etsy? It's a great way to be found by new customers thanks to their massive search engine and growing customer base. However, as a potter who makes mostly bespoke pieces it's a little tricky to take advantage of their SEO. So I decided to keep it for items I have a high quantity of (like prints and stickers) and the occasional ceramic piece to draw in new clients. I'm still experimenting with what to list there to gain new customers, but for now I have no regrets!

I hope that clears up all the Etsy mysteries. If you were used to shopping there and have recently found my site, welcome! If you have any thoughts or questions on the matter I'd love to hear them. I'm always down for some business chatting.


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Bullet Journal Workshop!

1/13/2020

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I'm teaching a bullet journal workshop at Craftivate! I've been using this system for about 5 years and it is the only planner/journal thing that has stuck. Believe me when I say I've tried SO MANY planners! What I love most is you can fall off for some time and hop back in and you didn't waste half a notebook/planner because of the dates. There is so much value in taking the time to handwrite your thoughts and plans. Personally, I remember it more, there's satisfaction in crossing things out, and it's one less thing to keep track of through a screen. 

The class is January 29th from 6:30pm to 9pm at the Craftivate Studio. The class is $48 and includes instruction, a printed bullet journal guide, and a pencil case full of stationery to get you started on your bullet journal journey!
Learn more & register!
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2020 Goals

1/10/2020

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Do you set goals for the new year? I set goals big and small all throughout the year, but I do love the feeling of goal setting in the new year. It fits so well within a maker business since the new year is right after the busiest season for gift giving! Some goals I have:
  • Revamp my Website (which I've been doing since December 26th :3) 
  • Try out a convention of the nerd variety.
  • Less holiday markets. start holiday prep sooner
  • More illustration based goodies like stickers and enamel pins
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2019 In Review

1/10/2020

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Hey I'm on youtube now! It was one of my 2019 goals that I'm finally following through on. I'm posting new videos 1-2 times a week! You can expect chats on business topics, a little about my process, how I business, and studio vlogs. I think this is such a great way to share how these muggos come into being. And if my rambles help out a new maker/artist? even better.
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New Gouache Paintings

7/21/2019

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I recently made a sale through Redbubble and to be honest, I forgot I had one se t up from all those years ago! I decided to upload some of my new paintings and doodles to be printed as prints, totes, and all sorts of fun things. Check out Frida, Yayoi, and a few other dreamy blobs on my red bubble!

​
shop redbubble
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Meet the Maker: How I started

4/26/2019

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Mugs I made in my first wheel throwing class in 2012

 Over the next couple of months, I thought it would be fun to take some of the #marchmeetthemaker prompts and expand on them here!

How I started
Going into college I knew I wanted art to be a part of my career, and I knew I wanted to eventually work for myself. 6 years and 7 major switches later, I graduated with a BS in studio art, concentration in ceramics and a minor in Art History. Graphic design, media studies, art education, and metalwork are a few of the majors I've tried/considered. It’s been a windy twisty road since graduation, but I wouldn’t change a thing!

I officially started my business after finishing a post baccalaureate program in 2016, right when I joined the Nutmeg Collective. I've done a handful of shows before that, but 2016 is when I took this seriously. I was working in a friend's garage, trying every fair and market that came my way, and reaching out to any maker/artist community I could find. The best thing I've learned in this stage of my super tiny business is that community is everything. It's basically how I learned to business.
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classes and workshops with craftivate

8/27/2018

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For the past few months, I've been working for this amazing craft studio aka Craftivate. It's been so cool to work for a small business that I truly believe in! Now that I've got the basics down, I'll be running a few of my own classes and workshops. The photo above is for the Modern Mug sgraffito workshop; carve a handmade mug made by yours truly!

I'm also teaching an intro to clay class where I'll go over all the basics of hand building with clay through four projects. I've got so many ideas for ways to bring clay to the masses! I'm thinking ceramic jewelry will be up next.
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    Artist and maker discussing art and making. Peeks into my studio life, professional tips I stumble upon, and discussions about contemporary art and craft.

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  • home
  • Gallery
    • Halloween Collection
    • Dice and scales
    • Emoti Series
  • About
    • About the artist
    • FAQ, Shipping, Returns
  • Blog