Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Noguess.
Hi Joy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As I was finishing a degree in media arts and animation, I began experiencing pain in my right arm 24/7. I couldn’t stand to use the computer mouse any more and after going to the doctor, I learned that I had developed cubital tunnel syndrome from too much time spent working on the computer. So here I was with a degree that I couldn’t use, and I was pretty depressed about it.
My mother suggested that I try her old potter’s wheel that was gathering dust in the garage to have something creative to do and so I began to experiment with clay. Thankfully, working with the clay did not cause my arm any pain and the first successful item I created was a coffee mug that said “Don’t Give Up!”.
I approached a shop owner on South Congress who had some local artisan goods in her shop and she agreed to start carrying my coffee mugs which encouraged me to keep creating. I invited a couple of artist friends to exhibit their work in my garage studio with me for the West Austin Studio Tour, and slowly but surely, I continued to build momentum and sell my work around Austin.
I have been in numerous East and West Austin Studio Tours, and show regularly at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar in addition to offering my work online in my etsy shop, www.tinyhappyclay.com, and the occasional pop-up market.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! Once my mugs really started selling well, Covid-19 hit and everything shut down. I was able to keep working through it, but that shop on Congress closed and when things opened back up again, I had to find somewhere else to sell my work.
Also, we had to move because we had outgrown our little bungalow when my daughter was born, and our new house had no room for a studio. I worked in a shed in the backyard that had no air conditioning, wonky floors that made it almost impossible to throw anything level, and squirrels, possums and all kinds of critters who continually broke into my space and ruined my pottery!
Probably the biggest struggle was when the clay company I purchased clay from changed their formula because their source of talc changed, and all my work started developing cracks in the glaze, sometimes a month after the work had been sold. I was working in Earthenware clay at that time which is a low firing temperature, and so after testing other options and not having success, I had to switch to an entirely different clay body, firing temperature, and glaze which had a steep learning curve for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I created my own brand- Tiny Happy Clay, where I make and sell pet-themed ceramic gifts around Austin and online. Inspired by cute pets and quirky humor, I create ceramic gifts for people who appreciate animals and love to smile. Stoneware mugs and planters are thrown on the potter’s wheel and then embellished by adding bulging eyes, little ears, feet, and tails or cheeks. By drawing the designs and stamping phrases directly into the wet clay, a textural depth is achieved that feels pleasing to the hand. Handbuilding techniques are used when I create tiny animal sculptures and ring dishes, and each item is hand glazed and varies slightly.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Just keep going. It is easy to stall because you don’t have everything figured out yet, but if you keep taking little baby steps, you will build momentum instead of staring at a blank page for years. Taking action instead of waiting for everything to be just right has helped me tremendously.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tinyhappyclay.com
- Instagram: @tinyhappyclay
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/TinyHappyClay
