Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Maspons.
Hi Sofia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I moved back home to Miami in 2019 after working in New York for several years, I found myself with lots of free time after work and on the weekends so I began making small objects with polymer clay as a hobby. My grandfather, an architect by trade but also a multimedia artist, noticed my interest and gifted me his old ceramic kiln so that I could explore working with food-safe clay and glaze. After just a few months of tinkering with clay, I began selling some pieces on Etsy and posting to Instagram. I did a few in-person markets where I discovered the demand for handmade ceramics and ultimately decided to sell directly on my own website in 2020. By January 2021, I took the leap to pursue ceramics full-time and have never looked back!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running Fooshoo has been a journey of many twists and turns! My business, like many others that sell handmade and giftable items, is highly seasonal. I earn about 75% of my annual income in the last 2 months of the year. Even during the slower months, it is a highly seasonal business with peaks leading up to specific holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. Due to the slow nature of making ceramics, I have to plan far in advance and never anticipate the demand quite perfectly. As a result, I have had a few holidays of either running out of product before my peak selling days (and missing out on big sales!), and other seasons of overproducing and having to heavily discount items last minute. After a few holidays of frustration, I finally pivoted my business to be primarily made-to-order. This gives me time to produce items and ensures customers that they can get the product they want in time for the holidays.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I run a small-batch ceramics studio called Fooshoo, which focuses on whimsical home goods. From mugs to vases, incense holders to shot glasses, all items are hand-formed and glazed in my home studio. I specialize in modern silhouettes with a playful aesthetic. With all my pieces, the goal is to bring character to your home with unique objects that can eventually become functional heirlooms. As of the past year, I am mostly known for my curvy incense holders and candle holders. These two items are my best sellers in a variety of colors and are especially popular as gifts during the holiday season. The playful shapes in my work set the Fooshoo brand apart and allow my pieces to be recognizable while still seamlessly blending into the display on your shelf or coffee table. I am most proud of the improved quality of my products and that I have continued to develop new items every season.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
In terms of content that inspires me to do my best work, I am infinitely amazed by the incredible artists that I follow online. I draw inspiration from many illustrators including Leigh Ellexson, Kristen Peers and Sarah Day, all of whom run successful businesses centered around their art. I also felt a huge creative shift after taking Marlee Grace’s “A Quilt is Something Human” course in January 2021, which coincided with my shift to full-time ceramic work. Although quilts may seem unrelated to ceramics, their class opened me up creatively and reminded me of the way patchwork is a theme in my life generally. I’d recommend that anyone experiencing a creative block take this class!
Pricing:
- Candle Holder: $20 (small), $45 (medium)
- Incense Holder: $30
Contact Info:
- Website: fooshoo.co
- Instagram: @foo.shoo
