Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Small.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sam. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had the opportunity to take a pottery class in high school and absolutely loved it. I always wanted to pick it back up, so once I graduated from college and started working full time, I decided to join a local studio. Those introductory classes were the highlight of my week, and I would visit the studio as much as I could. As time went on, I got more and more comfortable on the wheel. It was my stress relief – I’d put in my headphones, listen to a podcast or a good book, and completely zone out. I loved getting my hands dirty and making something functional and beautiful.
Eventually, I was making too many pieces to keep in my small studio apartment, so I decided to try selling my work to offset some of the studio costs. I started by participating in a small makers market at my company, and soon after opened my Etsy shop. Since then, I’ve been selling and shipping my pieces around the world.
Great, 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 biggest challenge I’ve faced has been developing a consistent brand and style for my products. When I first started selling ceramics, I had been experimenting a lot with different clay bodies and glazes. However, when I thought about creating a sustainable business, I realized that I needed to be more intentional with my product lines. I eventually fell in love with my current style – brown speckled clay with a bright white glaze – and have been perfecting and developing it ever since.
Small Things Pottery – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Small Things Pottery is full of ceramics that are functional and fun. With bright colors and clean glazes, I try to make items that would fit perfectly into any home. The neutral tones look great with deep green plants, colorful bouquets, and silver and gold jewelry. The mugs are big enough to hold that first cup of coffee in the morning and comfortable enough to sip out of throughout the day. I love hearing stories from customers about how they use these ceramics daily because they are made to be used.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far was my first online sale to a stranger. I had recently opened my Etsy shop and had filled a few orders for supportive friends and family. When a new order came in, and I didn’t recognize the name, my heart leaped. I couldn’t believe someone was willing to spend their money on something I made based solely on the quality of the product. It was a small order for a speckled trinket dish, but it meant the world to me. I’ve since filled orders for customers around the world, and I feel so honored that they have supported my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smallthingspottery.com
- Email: smallthingspottery@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/smallthingspottery
Suggest a story: VoyageATL 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.
