Today we have an interview with the successfully self-employed artist, Swedish ceramist Karin Eriksson. I've been absolutely enamored with her work for years- it's stunning and is featured frequently on favorite design blogs like decor8, oh joy, design*sponge and many more. Not to mention, she has her own long running design and style blog and impeccable taste to boot!
Let's get a little glimpse into how she works and her tips on how to make a living doing what you love.
What do you do for a living?
I work as a ceramic designer / maker, I produce and sell my work to shops and galleries in all parts of the world. I also have my own shop manos here in Stockholm, where I sell my ceramics and other things that I love.
How long have you been self-employed? What made you decide to take the
leap?
I’ve had my own business for nine years. Before that I worked as a project manager for an advertising agency here in Stockholm. Although I liked working there, I always felt I wanted to do something more ”grounded” or meaningful perhaps. That’s why I decided to go through a second education and make a career out of my hobby.
Do you work from home or have a studio/office elsewhere?
Do you have a partner or assistant, or are you going it solo?
For the past two years I’ve had students coming to do their work placement with me. They stay for four months up to a year. They are a GREAT help for me and its nice to have company. I also have Liisa who manages the shop every other weekend and when I need to have some time off. She does this in exchange for using my workshop and materials. Then there is mum, dad and my man David on whose help I can always trust!
How do you organize your days? At what part of the day are you most productive?
I try to do what’s most important early in the day. I’m an early bird and gets things done much more efficiently before lunch. At the beginning of the week I put together a to do list so that I know what I need to throw each day, which firings should go on during the week, what orders should be packed and sent and other important stuff.
How do you keep procrastination and distraction in check, and stay motivated to get things done?
I feel best when I set daily goals that are reasonable. I try to plan so that my body and my soul feel alright. I work towards deadlines and usually get things done on time – give or take a week ;)
Sometimes things fall ”inbetween chairs” – intentionally or not. It’s usually the things that I don’t ordinarily do. The things that need a different approach than I normally take. What I need then is to just get started, somehow – by planning, writing, doing.
It’s easy to work too much rather than the other way around, but I find that for me it’s important not to get into bad habits of working myself too hard. If I do, nothing feels fun, so I try to set reasonable goals. Perhaps it takes a little bit longer, but the job gets done and I feel ok and not like I need five weeks at a spa!
How many hours do you put in per day? Do you work on the weekends?
I’ve tried various ways of working and right now it suits me well to be in the workshop from roughly 8.30-4 pm. When I get home I spend at least an hour at the computer, answering emails and blogging etc. On my days working from home I usually work a little later than four but on the other hand I also spend time doing non work stuff during the day. I work every other weekend keeping my shop open.
How do you handle a non-steady income?
Not having enough money can be stressful so I try to keep money set aside for unforeseen costs. Last year I had several production problems which cost me quite a lot and my savings account was what made me sleep well at night.
Right now, times are pretty tough due to the general economic downturn but that has made me focus on what I can do about it. I know that if I make some nice things, take good photos of them, write something about them on my blog and send emails to other bloggers who write about them I can earn some extra money quite quickly It’s an empowering feeling to have the ability to do something about my situation.
What do you think is the most difficult part about being your own boss?
To always be the motor, the driving force. Sometimes that makes me really tired and I wish I had a partner to run the company together with.
And the best part?
Almost the same as the previous answer – to make the decisions, to be able to decide which way to go and in which direction to develop.
How do you reward yourself for a job well done and keep yourself from getting too burnt out?
I reward myself with time – to sit out in the sun for a while, to meet a friend for a ”fika” or to go to the pub with David. And I always have time for friends and acquaintances who come visit me in the workshop! Nowadays I’m much better at not working all the time. I still work too much sometimes, but at least I’m aware of it and listen to my body.
Would you say you're making a living doing what you love?
Absolutely!
What is one nugget of wisdom you can pass on to someone who is desperately seeking to get out of the 9-5 grind and follow in your footsteps?
It can be easy to get things started, but it’s keeping things going and evolving that is the tricky bit. I’d say trust your intuition but keep a savings account. Find your own way of doing things but listen to others advice and don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Thank you so much for sharing your years of experience with us, Karin!
You can learn more about Karin and see her beautiful work on her sites below:
website :: shop :: blog :: workshop
>> you may also enjoy: Do What You Love, an interview with Grace Bonney
