Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Kirk.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My first love in life was music. I studied music education and violin in college and am currently a middle school orchestra director. During my undergraduate degree, I signed-up for Ceramics 101 on a whim. I discovered quickly that in order to center a piece of clay, I needed to be strong, stable, and calm, which is exactly what the clay needs to be in order to become something. This process became a healing and meditative form of art in my life, allowing me a form of creative expression that is personal and intimate, something different than what I find in the classroom.
When my first child was born, I began doing more ceramics at home, and I gradually gravitated toward making earrings, which allowed me to focus on detail and precision on a small scale. I launched my first ceramic earring line in 2017, focusing on techniques like image transfer and colored clay inlay.
Gradually, I became more interested in colors: using mason stains to color my clay was beautiful and exciting to me but quite labor-intensive. Once I started using polymer clay, I discovered that it was a much quicker and, in some ways, more rewarding way to create find, precision colors and designs.
In the summer of 2020, I launched Blossom + Clay, my first polymer clay collection. The name is inspired for my love of gardening and my use of nature themes throughout my work. I find so much beauty in my little garden, from little specs of pollen on a buzzing bee to the hustling line of ants circling a spot of sugar on my luffa crop. Like the flowers and food harvested from the blossoms of my garden, I find such beauty in transforming the hard, unworkable clay found in the earth into something nuanced and beautiful.
As I was first exploring polymer clay, my father died after a 4-year battle with cancer. I found myself grieving and healing as I cut each leaf or design that I placed on an earring. Just as I wanted something good to come from my grief, I worked to create beauty and subtly from something as hard and shapeless as clay. With each piece, I hope to keep creating pieces that reflects the beauty of the world around us.
Has it been a smooth road?
I am a full-time orchestra teacher, mother, wife, daughter, and sister, so dedicating time to clay is my biggest challenge. But, there is a luxury in being able to have a form of expression outside of your full-time work: it’s given me the freedom to create artwork that speaks to my heart rather than to what is expected of me. Now more than ever, I think it is time for artists and makers to feel like they can create artwork unique to their voice and not be afraid that their work won’t sell or be loved because it’s different or not on-trend. While I feel an exterior pull to conform and mimic that which I see advertised, sold, and lauded, I strive to follow my vision of what is beautiful and meaningful. I hope to see more makers create what they want to create.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Blossom and Clay – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in making one-of-a-kind polymer clay earrings. Most of my pieces are very intricate, using very small and separate pieces. Typically, one pair of earrings will take between two and three hours. I start each pair with a broad vision and then let that vision guide itself towards the final creation. I want the people who wear my work to have a piece of art to wear rather than a simple, commonplace accessory.
I am very passionate about gardening, music, and education. My husband and I have a small but mighty urban garden and are both full-time musicians. My husband is the organist at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, and I am a violinist and middle school orchestra director. All of these interests may seem unrelated to clay and ceramics, however, I pull inspiration from each of these parts of my life in different ways.
My friends also inspire my work. When I creating a pair of earrings, I most time have a working title an a source of inspiration. For example, I created a stained glass mountain earring inspired by two friends to love to travel and climb mountains. Another earring with potted plants was inspired by Rene, one of my closest friends with whom I garden. My marbled gray and black florals was inspired by my mom, who is also a talented gardener. I think this kind of reflection of humanity gives my work life.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Oh my goodness, I love Houston! The people, arts, food, and culture are second to none. Chinatown alone sets this city apart! You can find miles and miles of the best restaurants to try and unique and diverse art, music, and entertainment year-round. The Houston Grand Opera is one of the gems of this city as well as the Houston Symphony and Houston Ballet. My favorite places in Houston are the Menil and the Museum of Fine Arts.
I hope to see more artisans, makers, farmers, gardeners, teachers, and musicians find their home here in Houston.
I also love Houston because it is never trying to be something it’s not. Houston is a sprawled-out hot and humid maze of a city, but it’s filled with beauty, wonder, and unique experiences for those who seek them!
Pricing:
- $20-$40
Contact Info:
- Website: blossomandclay.etsy.com
- Phone: (713) 408-7007
- Email: sallytkirk@gmail.com
- Instagram: BlossomandClay
- Facebook: Sally Kirk Ceramics
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/blossomandclay
Image Credit:
Sally Kirk
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
