a moment with the maker
what’s with the name?
In Greek Mythology, Hestia is known as the goddess of hearth and home, her name literally translating to “hearth” or “fireside”. In ancient times, her followers understood that the hearth was the center of a home, radiating warmth and the cornerstone to preparation of food. She humbly reminds us that time spent with family, well-fed and cozy around the fireplace is sacred and of the utmost importance. I create my pieces with intentions of bringing her same energy of comfort and warmth - and I imagine such pieces just might be found in Hestia’s own cupboard. I can only hope that in their new homes, my bowls will be filled to the brim with nourishing soups and stews for all, and my mugs will be topped off time and time again with warm tea shared with loved ones.
i’m aubrey, nice to meet you!
Pottery has always been a restorative and therapeutic experience for me. I often joke that I do pottery because it's less expensive than therapy, though that’s precisely what it became for me while I was in college. I could always return to the studio after a long day of studying, where I would spend hours smooshing my hands into the clay, mesmerized by the wheel spinning endlessly before me. It's as if I could feel my stress melting away into the muddy slip. Through my studies and personal experience, I’ve learned that the creative space holds a great capacity for healing and may be a more accessible, less intimidating experience than traditional talk therapy. Working with clay is an exceptionally effective yet under-utilized medium, especially for those who value embodied modes of processing.
When I’m at a loss for how to help a friend who’s going through a difficult time, I usually invite them to spend some time with me in the pottery studio at my local maker's space. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find how often their experiences mirror my own. It's truly magical how involving one’s focus in a tactile experience can loosen the mind, allowing difficult-to-access feelings to flow more freely. When given the space to create and a listening ear, they are often able to make substantial breakthroughs on their own about the challenges they are facing.
Be it through leading creativity inspiring pottery classes or selling pieces that light up a space, my goal is to bring warmth and comfort to my community through my work.