Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Burns.
Jill, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My interest in art has been lifelong. I was always creating, building, sewing, or drawing something. I studied painting and printmaking in college, but it was several years later that I first dipped my hands in clay. As newlyweds, my husband and I moved to Worcester and I decided to take a ceramics class at the local craft center. From the start I was hooked on the potential of clay. I ended up as an Artist-In-Residence there and then founded a community ceramics studio called the Fire Works. About five years ago I sold the business so I could devote more time to my own work.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create a line handmade illustrated porcelain tableware called Early Bird Designs. It’s all completely functional, such as mugs, plates and bowls and each is hand carved and inlaid with an original drawing. Everything is handmade– start to finish – from fabricating the forms in porcelain, carving the images and inlaying the designs with slip, as well as formulating my own glazes and doing all the firing. The style is whimsical and easy going with many pieces inspired by nature and vintage engravings. My new line, Nest box Studio will feature my illustrations and surface designs in my unique style that will be available in fabrics, journals, phone cases and more.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I have found that the idea of supporting small businesses and to keep spending dollars local has really caught on. People seem to realize that it helps their community in very positive ways.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is in shops and boutiques across the country. I started to wholesale my ceramic work about four years ago and it really has expanded the reach. A couple of local places are Crompton Collective in Worcester and Home Slice in Somerville. The best support is to make a purchase!
I am finding it difficult to grow the line of handmade ceramics much beyond what I am producing now. It just takes so long when you are making everything by hand. So, I am starting a new brand called Nest box Studio with the hope of expanding my illustrations and surface design work into other media such as fabrics and printed items. Everything will still be bespoke, but the production side can be out-sourced leaving me more time for designing, which is really my passion.
Contact Info:
- Website: earlybirddesigns.net AND nestboxstudio.com
- Email: burns.earlybirddesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: @earlybirddesigns AND @nestboxstudio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Earlybirddesigns AND www.facebook.com/nestboxstudio/
Image Credit:
“In studio” image by Kelsey Haley Media
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
