We’re looking forward to introducing you to Elizabeth Eisenstein. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Bird watching and bird photography! I purchased a used telephoto lens for my dSLR last year, and I’ve been having fun using it to try and capture my favorite desert birds: from road runners, to hawks, to tanagers, warblers, and so many more. My photos aren’t always great, but I always have a fantastic time getting out into nature and quietly walking amongst the wildlife.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a ceramic artist based in Yucca Valley, CA, right by Joshua Tree National Park. My studio, ZZIEE Ceramics, is located in downtown Yucca Valley, and I also have a small storefront from which I sell my own work, as well as art prints, pottery tools, art supplies, and unique gifts. Last month I celebrated 4 years of being in my current studio/showroom, though I’ve been making and selling pottery for a decade now.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents. My dad was a physicist at Caltech before he retired, and now he is spending his retirement creating furniture. He taught me that it’s always worth it to put the extra effort in to get something right the first time, rather than cutting corners to save a few minutes in the short term. My mom is a published author and expert in California native plants and gardening: she taught me to not miss the forest for the trees and to take a step back and analyze my work and effort from a distance. Despite instilling a strong work ethic in me, they both encouraged me to respect myself and my own boundaries, and emphasized that perfection for the sake of perfection isn’t always beneficial. As a result, I work hard on what’s important to me, but try not to get too bogged down in the minutia.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The past 12 months were quite challenging for me, and I deeply considered the direction of my life and whether or not I wanted to continue being a small business owner. I was feeling extremely burned out from teaching, and felt that my creative spark was nearly extinguished. I eventually began dreading coming to my studio, and that’s when I realized that something had to change. I decided to stop teaching (at least for the time being) and focus my extra time and energy back on my own creative output and my retail space. Fortunately, it worked! Having more time alone to myself in my studio brought me back in touch with what I love so deeply about ceramics. I began new projects and refreshed my showroom with new items. I’m feeling more inspired than I have in a very long time!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Human-made art is irreplaceable! AI might provide us with seductive shortcuts, but it will never replace what human minds and hands can create. Variation, messiness, and inconsistency is what makes us human, and a world without those qualities will only breed rigidity and intolerance.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m in nature, away from most signs of human life. I love the wilderness, the landscape, wildlife, and the cosmos. Whether I’m on a hike or using my dad’s old telescope to view the rings of Saturn, I love feeling insignificant and small in the face of the vastness of the natural world. It puts things into perspective for me, and calms my mind. I feel incredibly lucky to live in one of the most naturally spectacular places in the world: the Mojave Desert.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zzieeceramics.com
- Instagram: @zzieeceramics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zzieeceramics
