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Kelsey Schroeder | Episode 1153
Kelsey Schroeder is originally from Rapid City, South Dakota and is proud to be a working artist still living in the Black Hills. Kelsey is currently working out of her home studio full time to support her family. Kelsey is inspired by colors and textures in the natural world- from ocean tides and coral reefs, to geological formations and patterns in rocks. It is Kelsey’s hope to create a world that is energetic and colorful while still staying true to the subtle beauty see in nature.
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Why have you avoided going to the next level with buying software etc for your business?
I just haven’t really seen the need for it when it comes down to it. If I looked into it more I may see a benefit but what I am doing is working so it’s kind of, If it’s not broken don’t fix it. (laughter) It’s working for me so I haven’t seen a need to change it up.
About how much time a week have you taken toward the administration of your ceramic endeavors?
That is a really good question that I honestly can’t quantify, because I kind of don’t know the answer. More of how it kind of breaks down I set up more of a monthly work flow for myself so that I know that I am kind of creating work for about two, two and half weeks, and then I do about a week of glazing, and then I need a week of photographing pieces, creating listings, and shipping them out. But on a daily basis I probably spend maybe an hour on social media just creating new posts and scheduling things out.
What social media platforms do you tend to lean on to get the word out about your work?
Almost exclusively with Instagram. I do have a Facebook page for my business but I don’t get a ton of engagement from there so I don’t spend a lot of time doing things like that.
For your making, how much time do you spend sitting down in the studio doing what you do to make a piece?
I spend an average of probably like 6 to 7 hours every day in the studio actively making. My kids are at school for around 7 hours so I know that is my dedicated time where I can just be in the studio and not have distractions. And then I usually have a bit of spill over time n the evening. You know with clay when things are at that perfect dryness, but most days it’s an average of 6 to 7 hours in the studio.
When you say daily, do you have time to take days off, like weekends?
Theoretically I should but I am really bad about doing that for myself. When I am excited about something I am creating I want to get it done. There is always a kind of deadline in my head of what has to get done. I love what I am doing so much and love when I am in the studio. But I am trying to recognize when I need a bit of time off.
Why the Sealife inspiration when you are in South Dakata?
I am nature inspired. My last collection was specifically an ocean one so that is fresh right now, but honestly I am just a nature lover so put me in front of any animal, it could be a South Dakota chipmunk or an Orca in Iceland and I am a happy camper.
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Instagram: @kelseyceramics
Paul, Thank you so much for all you do. The episode with Kelsey and John Hunter cut off at 30 minutes. I thought you would want to know.
I am a hobby hand builder outside Sandy Springs.
Have a great weekend.
Terri
Terri, Thank you so much for letting me know. I fixed the recording. I still have no idea why it did that because the recording was good, but the playback cut off… I deleted and re-uploaded it, and it started working again. Thanks for your help!