Today we’d like to introduce you to Haylie Hawkins.
Hi Haylie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been surrounded and raised by incredibly strong and artistic women who taught me at a very young age to create art with emotion. The first lesson my grandma, who was a member of the Fenton art guild, ever taught me was that no one can take your artistic license away. However, in an unfortunate series of narcissistic relationships telling me I wasn’t brave or courageous enough to be an artist, I gave up on art for far too long. Luckily my cousin introduced me into the world of pottery 6 years ago, and from there, I slowly learned the techniques and regained my courage until I started attending the Flint Institute of Arts taking pottery classes. Eventually, I bought a pottery wheel for my house so I could make pieces any time I wanted instead of just in class. The journey to get here was long and involved a lot of healing and self-love but totally worth it.
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?
The choice to pursue pottery was the easiest decision I’ve ever made; however, it can be frustrating because it isn’t the easiest skill to learn and takes years to perfect. During quarantine, when schools were closed and before I had my pottery wheel, it was hard to remain motivated to create hand-built pieces. Hand building takes twice as long as creating a vessel on the wheel. When the schools re-opened, I found that it was almost like starting over again throwing pieces on the wheel.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My pottery is inspired by the Earth, so I find myself drawn to color combinations and designs that could be found out in the wild. I add a dash of whimsy to all my pieces, and I really pride myself on that. I am most proud of Halloween collection, but that is just because fall is my favorite time of year, so I come up with more ideas. Most of the other potters I’ve come to know and love all have a different style; however, I believe the whimsical nature of my designs really set me apart. My most popular pieces are the mugs with gnomes or dinosaurs on them. People think pieces like this are fun and unique.
Any big plans?
The biggest change for my business is the website I’m creating. Social media is an important tool for most business owners however there is just something about creating your own website outside the parameters that social media sets that is nerve-wracking and exciting. My website is called virgoandvalkyrie.com, and the idea for this site is a new twist on the classic boutique that we know and love. Encouraging individuality and divine feminine energy with a rotating inventory of handmade or hand-selected pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: virgoandvalkyrie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayliehawkins_glazingwizard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glazingwizard
- Other: https://pin.it/3cXkwGS
