Interview with the Maker: The Clay Garage

Artisan:  Anne Kelly, The Clay Garage

1. What is your name and how did you decide on your business name?

My name is Anne Kelly and my pottery business name is The Clay Garage.  I love my garage, as messy it is. I love all garages. Somehow they all smell and feel the same. It’s why I set up my studio there and, coincidentally, it is the LAST place anyone looks for me!  My own name is pretty ordinary so I couldn’t name the biz after myself. I also like a slight retro vibe of “The Clay Garage”. It works on so many levels!

2. What inspired you to create your product?

I spent my first career working as a geologist. I love rocks and minerals, chemistry and clay. Pottery brings all those things together.  I really love creating beautiful, durable things for people to use in their every day lives. As a mom, I was sick to death of crappy plastic cups and bowls- especially their terrible environmental legacy.  I think every family should have cabinets filled with beautiful pottery to enjoy everyday.  A small, reusable tumbler is great for kids’ drinks as well as adult beverages and will last a lifetime. My kids are drinking out of cups I made for myself in the mid-90s!  

3. Which of your products most inspires other people?

Based on my experience at The Marketspace at Westfield holiday market this year, my most inspiring pieces are my Westfield, NJ hometown heart ornaments! They were so popular, I already started making some for next year! I love living in Westfield and was so impressed with the hometown Jersey pride!  

4. How do you find time to balance your craft with other areas of your life?

I have a full time job, but my passion for this work really drives me. I have a full pottery studio at home and set aside time on the weekends to create new work.  

5. Name one tool or product that is most helpful to you as a small business owner.

Definitely the internet. As a busy mom trying to start a small business, the internet makes it much easier to learn, and to build a market presence online-  all after hours when “mom“ life quiets down a bit. 

6. Where do you see your business going in 2020?

I hope to partner with local shops here in Westfield and in the surrounding area to feature my work and grow my business.  

7. What is something you hope to get out of the Marketspace platform this year? 

I’d love to continue to sell at local handmade markets. It really gives me a wonderful opportunity not only to showcase my work but to meet new people. 

8. Anything new we can do for or offer you?

I think it would be great if you guys could help set up partnerships between vendors! Some kind of exchange or collaboration between crafts would be awesome. I was so busy at The Marketspace at Westfield that I didn’t really have time to walk around and connect with other vendors.  I would also take any advice you have for best practices at future markets and how to promote my small business ahead of time. It was a great event! You did an amazing job.

Thanks, Anne! We hope you’ll check out our Business: Handmade podcast for an easy guide to building a business for makers and join our New Jersey Arts, Crafts, and Vintage Facebook group for collaboration opportunities.