Check Out Emily Jenkins’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Jenkins

Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to working with my hands, but my first real introduction to clay was in college where I took a ceramics survey course and fell instantly in love – unfortunately in my final semester of school! I didn’t revisit clay until almost 15 years later, when my mother started making her own work and set up a small home studio for herself. I think I always knew I’d come back to ceramics when the time was right, and in late 2018 I found my way back to it and I’ve spent every minute I can with my hands in clay since.

The majority of my education in ceramics has been self-driven, from experimentation and independent research/reading. There is inherently a lot of failure involved when working in clay, and early on I began to see each failure as an opportunity to learn. The thrill of pushing limits and trying new things, and the ability to learn from each experience, far outweighs the negativity of those failures – that’s what keeps me going!

I began selling my work in 2021, but I feel like it wasn’t until 2023 I started to really figure out who I am as an artist. I realized that I can bring my lifelong love of the darker sides of nature and folklore into the pieces I create, and I found that my true love is combining sculptural elements with functional work.

I now sell my work across Michigan at various art fairs, galleries and even a couple of oddities expos. My favorite thing about growing my audience has been the people that I’ve met – the repeat buyers/visitors, and the people who immediately seem drawn to my work. It’s so satisfying making those connections simply because I’ve created something that has resonated with them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Once I found my way back to ceramics I’d say the road has been fairly smooth, yes. The pandemic in 2020 hit at a time when I had just set up my studio at home, so I found myself with an outlet for the stress that came along with that time – not to mention the extra time to spend in that studio to experiment and learn.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2024, and I’ve had a bit of a crash course in my own limitations which was definitely difficult for a while, but I feel like I’ve found a good rhythm and understanding of when to push myself and when to practice some self care, now.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work almost exclusively in stoneware clay, and many of my glazes are my own unique chemistry. I’d say I’m most known for creating functional work (such as dishes and vases) with nature and folklore related sculptural elements. When I’m creating a piece I try to marry natural elements with a sort of magical realism to create objects that are not only beautiful, but invoke a sense of deeper interaction – as if the objects have the capacity to return the viewers gaze, when observed.

What does success mean to you?
Personally, I feel successful if I am adding something of beauty or meaning to the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.sevenmagpiespottery.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sevenmagpiespottery
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sevenmagpiespottery