Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Heligman
Hi Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was lucky enough growing up, to go to a school that had a wonderful art program. My mother was also a designer by trade and painter for the love of it. So I was always surrounded by art as a child. I loved playing outside and collecting shells and rocks on the beach. I feel like I had always been drawn to the tactile nature of the world, so when I was in college it felt very natural to take ceramic classes. I ended up making it a minor and just fell in love with it. After school, I moved to Austin and started working for another artist in town. He taught me the ropes of how to make a business out of something you love. It was a slow process at first, but after a couple years of hard work, Settle became a pretty good little machine. I love my job and I am very lucky!
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?
It’s never a smooth road owning your own buisness and growing it slowly. I never wanted to “expand” the way some others scaled their businesses, because I always wanted to have my hands on every piece! That meant it would be a slow forward momentum, which I was okay with. I was making a living and not compromising my vision. Though it took some time it seemed to have worked. I create all the work myself and I am proud of that! I made it through a pandemic and we’re chugging along through the current recession. I hope I can continue to thrive in this ever changing world with support of this amazing community here in Austin
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a potter, a photographer, and a painter. I would honestly just describe myself as an artist, as I dabble in all kinds of creative venues. Most people know me as Settle Ceramics though. I am most proud of organically growing a sustainable business for myself. I was never very conventional and hate computer work. Even now as I type this I am constantly hitting the wrong keys. I don’t really know what sets me apart other than this work being my full time job.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe you make your own luck. That you have to have drive and self confidence in what you do, otherwise people will see it as false. So as far as being ” lucky,” sure I am lucky, but only because I made it happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.settleceramics.com
- Instagram: @settle_ceramics
Image Credits
All images Taken by Samantha Heligman
