Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Verdeja.
Ali, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started making pottery in Aug of 2022. The class was a gift from my parents for my birthday that year. After my first 5 week class I was hooked. I went to the studio 2-3x a week and sold my first piece almost a year later in July 2023. Since then, I’ve gotten the opportunity to be a part of pop ups and a couple of markets. I made over 200 espresso cups for my friend’s wedding and I was recently asked to do my first wholesale order and make some mugs for a local coffee shop. It’s been super awesome just to take opportunities as they come to just see what I’m capable of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, I can’t say it’s been a very challenging road mostly because it is still mostly a hobby for me. I really enjoy the learning process and working through failed pieces and just learning how to make a piece better. My biggest struggle right now is that I am out growing my pottery studio. I can only be there at certain days and times and it limits the amount of pieces I can get done. Luckily, my parents allowed me to build a small pottery studio in their garage so that is in the works right now.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a ceramicist or a potter (which my siblings find more fun to call me). I mostly make functional pieces like espresso cups, vases, berry bowls, pedestal bowls, and to go tumblers. I think I am most known for the espresso cups likely because those are what I have made the most of. I can’t really say I specialize in anything in particular. I enjoy trying new things and challenging myself to make different forms so I change it up often.
I would say I am most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to create a small business at all. I don’t have an art or a business degree so frankly I’m kind of making it up as I go. I try and take the opportunities that come my way and see where they lead me. So I’m proud of the fact that people have purchased my pieces and get to enjoy them.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think being willing to just try things and take opportunities even if I’ve never done something like it before. That goes for making try to make new pieces and forms that I’ve never tried as well as saying yes to a market, a wholesale order, or an event. I think being unsure is part of the process but doing it anyway has made my little business what is it today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtbyAliGoods
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/artbyaligoods
