Reposting my interview from Some Sundays

talkin tweets, fits, pots, and pods

Months and months ago I answered questions for Chelsea Slavin’s substack, which is called Some Sundays. She is a longtime supporter* of me and we bump into each other in Portland sometimes as well. She asked me about podcasts and outfits and older versions of myself, which are three of my favorite topics. She also asked me about my favorite tweet which was really really hard to answer…but I did it!

*i would love to make my own Mt Rushmore where I just sculpt part of the exterior of my studio into the faces of people who have championed me for years because I know all of you by name and by heart (and often by address) and I love you forever!

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(Interview from november 2024. Chelsea did all the graphics and formatting! I don’t know the proper way to reshare someone else’s substack post so I just copied and pasted.)

Favorite podcasts to listen to…

In the studio: American History Tellers. When I’ve just cracked the first ep of a multi part miniseries on a piece of American History I’m unfamiliar with and I’m sitting at my wheel with a pile of prepped clay balls next to me, full bucket of warm throwing water, HEAVEN.

While doing dishes: Somehow I usually end up listening to the New Yorker Radio Hour in the evening when I’m putting the house back together. David Remnick is my nighttime voiceover guy.

On a long drive: Ideally I’ve found a new-to-me miniseries on something historical, political, or otherwise relevant and fascinating. Something like a new season of Slow Burn (right now they’re doing the rise of Fox News), or 9/12 from Pineapple Street Studios, which is about how 9/11 the day became 9/11 the idea. It’s INCREDIBLE.

Favorite outfit to wear outside the studio:

I have a lot of clothes that I think visually are it. But the ideal for me is when I am merged so fully with what I have on that I am free from any self consciousness. For me, that’s something loose fitting and all black.

On dressing for a craft fair:

Craft fairs feel like a stage. My character is eccentric. Silver sequin pants with a grey sweater are my go-to.

The Perfect Pants:

I did a pop-up at Circle Round this past summer and I got to do the best thing ever which was go through every single hanger in the entire place and I found these incredible pants and they fit me perfectly (as long as I don’t eat too much 🤣).

Favorite clogs:

I just got the platform Crocs clogs in red and they are fantastic. I’ve been dreaming of no. 6 Contour Clogs with the shearling…

(important update: as of my recent 40th birthday I now own the no6 contour clogs with the shearling!!)

Favorite lampshades:

Ones made by Léa Mestres.

Last good read:

I recently finished The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates and I’m still thinking about it.

Causes to get behind:

Reparations and land back movements. What could be achieved if we acknowledged the damage of our history as a country and tried as best we could to repair it?

I also like to educate people about how underpaid professional cheerleaders are.

A favorite piece:

Back when I thought slipcasting would simplify my life I made a bunch of very patchwork-y playful cups with tinted slip and I kept a few of them. There is one in particular I’m obsessed with and my husband keeps putting it in the kid cups cabinet, or using it as a crayons cup, and I keep moving it back up to the regular let’s-be-careful-with-these-adult cups cabinet. Part of what I love about it is I could never replace it.

Mug drinks:

I am literal and only use mugs for mug drinks. Coffee and tea are mug drinks. No cereal or soup or wine or anything out of a handled vessel for me, pal.

Recs for media tender kids:

My particular kid is quite media tender. Most things are too intense for him still. I love watching Bluey with him and hearing him laugh so hard. I also love the Molly of Denali movie where she helps her grandpa achieve his dream of climbing Denali.

The joy of rewatching:

I am a big big big rewatcher. I want there to be sufficient distance between viewings, so I get very excited when I can feel that a rewatch of something is imminent. 30 Rock is a foundational text for me. When it’s time for a 30 Rock rewatch I am buzzing.

Favorite to watch in December:

I am from an incredibly historic town in the US, the Home Alone town, so I do find so much comfort and enjoyment in watching that movie. It definitely loses points for showing both barfing and spiders, but it’s great.

Favorite tweet:

Ok this is so hard. This is the one I keep thinking of and laughing at over and over lately:

Behind every great man is the drawer I need to get into why are you even in the kitchen right now

Best tool for combatting panic:

FRIENDS! Telling people I know how I feel lets the bulk of the air out of any yucky feeling.

On developing successful creative habits:

I used to think you had to wait for inspiration and usually it came late at night, etc. etc. Now I understand it’s about showing up routinely so the ideas know where to find you.

Favorite potters that aren’t you:

I really love the folks who are so opposite to me. I love Benna, which is like collage-y glaze magic. I love Sophie Farrar. Her work is immaculate and calm. And I really love The Object Enthusiast. Her work is just so pretty.

Something you’re really into right now:

I am obsessed with my neighborhood: our school, the soccer team I’m coaching, my neighbors, our community here. I am a fan of roots and I am deeply rooted here.

Favorite thing about yourself…

20 years ago: I was 19 and dating someone who was an exceptional communicator and so I was learning how to be vulnerable and take responsibility for myself and all kinds of incredibly important and challenging intrapersonal skills that changed my life. I wanted to be in love so badly that it made me brave enough to accept that knowledge.

15 years ago: When I was 24 I was in art school and I started blogging on Tumblr, which was the beginning of my relationship to being playful on the internet. I love that about myself, that I am playful on the internet.

10 years ago: I was deep into a group of friends that I’m very committed to and we were all motivated to keep friendship and group trips and sleepovers and intimacy and playfulness centered in our lives even as the sort of escalator of time drags you toward nuclear family stuff. We’re still in that place but now a lot of us have made people who are best friends too and it’s very beautiful.

5 years ago: I’ve reached the age where five years ago feels the same as today. I’m like: was I really so different at 34 except I had less neck pain? I think my favorite thing about me five years ago was I was working hard at establishing my identity as an individual right after having a baby. Also five years ago I became an aunt and I’m obsessed with my niece, and with my sister as a mom.

Last year: Well last year I finally achieved my dream of having a big Great British Bake Off themed birthday party. It was really delicious and I highly recommend.

Thank you VERY much to Chelsea for the time and the questions. Please check out her substack, Some Sundays, and I’ll be back with more soon! I have many partial drafts and hopefully now that I’ve cracked the seal on sending emails again I won’t be so hesitant to continue.

<3 Britt