If you’re anything like our creative team, there’s a great chance that you appreciate incredibly thoughtful design, especially when it comes to the small or overlooked things that play a part in your everyday life. Clay + craft, a California-based brand that tickles our design team’s fancy, is a collection of ceramic or handcrafted products ranging from kitchen and table wares to home decor goods to jewelry.
In anticipation for our pop-up shop in Venice, CA next week, we caught up with the company’s founder and chief creator, Nicole Novena, to see how life in Cardiff is treating her brand + invite her devastatingly lovable dog, Hooper, to join us at next week’s pop-up fiesta.
Can you speak on what first led to/shaped your path into founding and running one of our favorite ceramics brands, clay + craft?
I grew up in Vermont and our high school’s art department had a pottery studio that was off the charts. It’s still, by far, the best facility I’ve worked in. After getting a C on my first physics test, I asked the ceramics teacher if I could do a independent study with her instead. She agreed and my love for ceramics began. It’s been a part of me ever since… my wheel has traveled all over the country.
Give us an artist or two in California that you admire.
I recently came across Marissa Quinn (@marissaquinn)… her work is amazing. And how can you not appreciate @chrisburkard‘s photography?!?!
Your dog—image attached for everyone’s reference—what’s his deal?
Hooper is four year old Bernese Mountain Dog. He’s got a lot of personality both in naughtiness and love. He’s also the most loyal being I know!
Would Hooper be available to come to the Whalebone pop-up in California? How do you think he’d feel about receiving that invite?
He’d be honored!
A photo posted by clay + craft (@nicolenovena) on
If you could go to one stop of the WSL which one would it be and why?
Why do I have to pick just one… there are so many amazing places on the WSL circuit. I’d have to say Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France because I’m French (my maiden name is René) and I’ve never been.
Two favorite Instagram accounts fro branding and design?
Well @adjectiveandco of course! I love @tortus_copenhagen… he is an incredible potter.
Have you ever been to a plate smashing party? (We believe that somewhere in the world this must exist where people smash plates for fun at a party).
Never and if the plates are anything like my ceramic wares I could never bring myself to smash it on purpose (unless it already had a crack in it or the glaze stinks). Making ceramics—especially plates—takes time and time is precious.
See what new creations are coming to life with Nicole and clay + craft via Nicole’s Instagram. Frequent life updates from Hooper included.
