Hi iFundwomen!  My name is Traci, and I'm the potter and budding horticulturalist behind Plant + Vessel.  Plant + Vessel is a collection of studio pottery and plants designed to enhance a space in your home.  I am raising funds for a kiln and cutting garden in response to COVID adjustments.  Your contribution will elevate my practice to a professional studio that will generate income as I work from home.

The base goal of $12,000 will be used to acquire:

$3600 Ceramics kiln (UPDATE: thanks to the support of many, I installed the kiln 12/20!)

$2400 DIY greenhouse

$1200 Cutting garden supplies

$900 A literal ton of clay

$1200 Materials and supplies for signature glazes

$2700 first 3 months cash flow for business expenses

COVID has affected how I make pottery.  I moved my place of residence and pottery work to improve my daughter's virtual school experience, and travel 80-100 miles per kiln load.  I'm grateful for the accommodations each studio has made to help me complete orders, but if a piece doesn't fit into the fire, it's pending for the next 2-3 weeks.  If I want to expedite and fire at another studio, the cost is $60-75 per load.  A home kiln costs approximately $5 in electricity per fire, which will save in time spent traveling and overhead costs.

UPDATE: THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF MANY, I INSTALLED MY KILN 12/20.  THIS IS A RELIEF AND JOY AS A POTTER TO HAVE ACCESS TO A CRUCIAL ELEMENT.  THANK YOU!

This system has been especially hard on me as my move resulted in a shoulder injury.  I push past the pain as I haul 8 or more totes of pottery at a time.  It would be a relief to open my garage door and fire on my schedule.  There are times when I'm working until midnight, and to be able to complete retail and wholesale orders on my timeframe will create more opportunities to provide for my daughter.

Having an onsite kiln and glaze station will give me the chance to create signature glazes for Plant + Vessel.  I love the chemistry and will share recipes and steps for aspiring potters.

When I completed my certification in floral design in 2019, I knew I wanted to start a cutting garden to add the "plant" to the "vessel".   I didn't know where to start, but was blown away by the flowers Erin at Floret Farm grows.  I applied for their 2021 farming scholarship, and am honored to be a recipient. 

This program teaches the business of growing and plants and flowers, which will complete Plant + Vessel's line.  We were tasked to provide community outreach while enrolled in the program and my give will be to go back to my roots at Imagine Art, a studio for artists with special needs, and provide a pilot program in 2021 that teaches how to make planters, and grow a flower garden.

The response to Black Lives Matters propelled my work from a passion project to a Proof of Concept, and I've reconnected with BIG Austin, a nonprofit that coaches aspiring entrepreneurs.  The funds I raise will be used to establish a home studio and launch pilot programs, which will lay the foundation for a 2022 brick and mortar.  

S - T - R- E - T - C - H   G - O - A - L - S 

When COVID permits, I will reach out to those who have inquired about positions at Plant + Vessel and offer a part-time position at a living wage.  Our community outreach will include participating in markets and providing workshops to the community.  The stretch funds will be applied towards:

$2600 Floral Cooler

$1800 First 120 hours at $15 pay for studio assistant (position approx. 10 hrs per week)

$1200 First 3 monthly workshops for 4 attendants 

$800 Market displays

$400 Vendor Application fees

*SUPER BONUS* $2100 Purchasing a Brent pottery wheel

I catalogued techniques students asked me during my 2018 artist residency at the Dougherty Arts Center, and began developing online pottery courses.  These courses are timely as we're quarantining and can be used as a precursor for those planning to attend in-person classes in 2021.  I love the art and science behind ceramics, and loved that my Independent Study students called me "The Chemist".    These comprehensive courses will explain the "why" behind the "how" for beginners and advanced students.

Your contribution--at any price--will earn you one free course, valued at $40-210.  Topics include basic pottery techniques to building lidded jars, and more.   It is my goal to provide free and affordable education in my field of passion-- and my best way to say thank you.

Thank you for your support!