Today we’d like to introduce you to Karsyn Laufenberg
Hi Karsyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I always found different creative outlets to express myself whether it be drawing, photography, band, or even baking. It wasn’t until high school when I fully started to dive deeper in my interests, which led me to AP Ceramics in 2015. During those years, I discovered my strength in creativity and decided that was how I was going to make an impact one day.
In 2021, I graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in creative mass media, graphic design and marketing. I had to push my love of pottery to the side during those 4 years to focus on my studies and hobbies that would better my career. That’s when KAR. creative was born. It originally started as my personal brand that centered around freelance design, photography and videography.
After graduation, I had too much free time on my hands and wanted to pick up another hobby (like the ones I had weren’t enough lol). Although I love the other creative outlets I have, pottery has always stuck out above the rest. Ceramics is a medium where you can see your product from start to finish and physically hold it in your hands. There is no better feeling than having a vision in mind and saying, “I made that.” So, in 2022, I decided to branch out and get a membership at Belltower Pottery Studio.
Saying it was a bumpy ride when I first started at Belltower would be an understatement. Yes, I knew the fundamentals of ceramics, but there was still so much to learn. I wanted to push myself and decided to teach myself wheel throwing. I only specialized in coils and hand building in high school, so this was uncharted territory. Wheel throwing is unpredictable, unlike the control you have when hand building. I spent countless hours in the studio filled with a lot of failed attempts and experimentation. Two years later, I can proudly say that KAR. creative is predominantly focused on my pottery journey.
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?
I am no stranger to obstacles and challenges. Having a small business in general is always a gamble, but my biggest struggle is brand awareness. Since I am a full-time graphic designer, I can’t put forth the time needed to market my business in the way that would make it fully successful. Ceramics is a tough market to break through in, because you have to gauge interest in what would sell without losing your creativity. I strive to make one-of-a-kind pieces that appeal to a large audience. I have to modify to the market sometimes, so I can keep doing what I’m doing. It’s easy to fall into the mindset that I’m not good enough, but I just remind myself that my pottery will find its right owner one day. Seeing the look on people’s faces when they see my pottery at a market or the happiness they get after buying a piece that made them think of a loved one makes what I do worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At this stage in my pottery journey, I don’t like being tied down to one style. Every piece is one of a kind and might never be made again. I love having the creative liberty to make whatever I want, so you never know what is coming next. One piece will be a zodiac mug and the next will be a sculptural holiday collection full of croissants. No matter what I create, one aspect is consistent: my attention to detail. I will spend hours perfecting a piece and smoothing out every element. I fully believe in quality over quantity when it comes to pottery. The majority of my work could be classified as cheeky, bold and playful. My favorite pieces have all been ones that are sculptural or spark laughter.
If I had to think back on my pottery journey and pick one thing I am most proud of, it would be the 2017 Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards. It might be sad to say I am most proud of an event that happened in high school, but that is what gave me the confidence to start selling pottery. I was presented with the Glass & Ceramics award, gold key for my coil focused ceramics portfolio, and a silver and gold key for individual pieces. It is still crazy to think I had my work on display at the Brooks Museum here in Memphis as a senior in high school. Whenever I get scared to create a piece that is out of the norm, I think back on these awards to help me remember how beautiful art is and that there is something out there for everyone.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
What is life without risks? Although it is tough to push yourself to take a risk sometimes, that is when you can fully grow. That is my mindset on pottery and even life… I mean I took a risk shaving my head, yet here I am three years later in love with it and the confidence it gave me. Ceramics is a hobby that has risks at every turn. You never know how a piece will turn out until weeks later after praying to the kiln gods that it doesn’t explode in the kiln or get stuck to the shelf. I am very fortunate to consider this a hobby, so my risk is less compared to others who might do this full time. I am beyond thankful to find a community like Belltower. Every member there is so patient and eager to help my learning curve. That’s why I love what I do and am so appreciative of everyone who has supported me through my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://karsynlaufenberg.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kar.creative/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KARcreative
