Meet Kristine Cravens | Studio Potter & Artisan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristine Cravens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristine, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Support = Success Without the encouragement and support of family, I don’t think I would have ventured as far as I am today. My pottery business started with a comment my son made to me. We were shopping at a store that featured artists consignment work. He commented that my work is as good if not better than what we were looking at. He was a teen at the time. I mean that was a launch moment for me.

I started to venture out with learning how to be a seller. I think that researching and understanding what you do versus what others do that makes them successful is key. I used my family as my harshest critiques. I would ask questions like would you buy this piece at the price point I have listed? What would you like to see that would make you buy? What makes my work standout? What makes me unique? Once you decide who you are, you need to stay on target to develop and mature that brand. Work at it, cull the spirit of it, stay on track!

I created a brand from black and white stripes originally. It was a striking look on a table and really added to any decor. My brand has always been black and white with color added for splash. I like the work of Matisse and often follow geometric and free form patterns on my work.

My background is fashion design with a focus on pattern making and garment construction. The move to clay was easy from my sewing days. I often make patterns to use for vases and teapots. My brand is simple and very mid-century modern. I want my work to be easily identified as a piece from Kris Cravens Pottery.

My Board of Directors……my children, keep me on track. If I stray too much into work that is not me, they let me know. I think an important fact to a brand is the feeling that you know what you are getting. Keeping your brand your own is important.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We are a very tight family. We celebrate the communion of special events with meals, laughter and of course wine! My focus is on functional dinnerware. I love the idea of my pieces serving that special recipe handed down from grandma. I have learned over time, that people want to collect my work. That is so flattering. I don’t want to betray their trust. Year after year, they will add a piece or two to compliment what they already have. Keeping my look and style is important.

One of the constant challenges is to freshen the look of my work, while not changing it so much is becomes not relatable to the whole. I started in black and white, then added accents of color here and there never straying too far from the basic geometric black and white base. I love experimenting with new designs and themes, but they are typically a special “run” that I don’t continue. Almost like a surprise!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am born and raised in the Detroit area. I love Detroit and all it has to offer. BUT….. I currently live in a small farming community called Brooklyn, Michigan. It is a part of the Irish Hills. There are lots of things to see and do in Irish Hills. Visit Hidden Lake Gardens, see a concert or a race at Michigan International Speedway. Wine tasting at Cherry Creek Winery is fabulous especially in the summer with their summer concert series. Stop by the Stagecoach Stop for a step back into the 19th century old west an Mystery Mountain is also a must!

I live on a lake. We love that lake and friends and family come to stay with us to enjoy both winter and summer events.

In the winter, we build a fire by the lake and skate until we are too tired to continue. Hotdogs over the campfire are so delicious when you are cold and hungry.

Summer is the best. A day of swimming and boating leads to an evening of cooking out and watching the stars.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Guild of Artists & Artisans in Ann Arbor and specifically the Gutman Gallery has been a tremendous part of my growth and launch to the next level. They are a remarkable group of people that became family. Growth, learning and development is a huge part of their mission. They offer so many opportunities to get involved in the art community from applying to one of their art fairs to selling in the Gutman Gallery. Karen Delhey, the Executive Director of the Guild and Elizabeth Youngs, Gallery and Program Director are really the best!

Website: kriscravenspottery.com

Instagram: instagram.com/kriscravenspottery

Facebook: facebook.com/kriscravenspottery

Other: etsy.com/shop/kriscravenspottery

Image Credits
Artist