Meet Jumie Ra | Ceramic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jumie Ra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jumie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Though balance seems like a noble and sometimes necessary pursuit, the lines of working and not working hasn’t always been so well defined in my creative career. As an artist, my work makes me feel alive. “Work/life balance” becomes more of a mindset even with a full plate, my need for perfection, and my stubbornness for success. “How you do something is how you do everything” is a way of life I often identify with. There is meticulous planning for the daily tasks and wearing many hats to move my dream business forward. This pace can often skew the harmony of work and sleep vs family and friends.

Balance remains a constant push and pull in my work and life. I’ve accepted my schedule will always appear to be in “chaos” for those looking from the outside as I often am juggling several projects. Now as a full time ceramic artist, the future of my business relies heavily on a shift towards health and wellness in the form of sleep, setting boundaries, communicating realistic timelines and scheduled rest days. Setting alarms for even the smallest tasks and google calendars and turning my phone off, when needed, are mandatory steps toward spending my time more consciously in both work and life. As a single woman business, my body is my key asset in a career that’s very time and labor intensive. Time management and detailed planning is especially crucial in ceramics. With handmade ceramics, there is no easy “Command+Z” redo. With each order, an extra small batch is always made to account for any casualties in the drying, glazing and firing stages. In ceramics, you are at the mercy of time and your clay. Clay often has a mind of its own and holds memory of how it’s been handled causing warping or cracks in the unfortunate cases. A rested mind and physical health allows for creativity to thrive and the ability to self asses to problem solve in a demanding business, such as ceramics.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With my background in graphic design, my ceramic work is most known for its “Statement Ware” adorned with graphic decor conveying a visual message in hand-drawn typography and blind embossed textures. My letters are meticulously hand painted or hand carved with tightly kerned characters to showcase an abstract, one-of-a-kind quality ready to make a statement as a standout centerpieces in a home or as an exclusive dining ware collection for both humans and furry pets.

Ceramics was first introduced in college as an elective class to satisfy financial aid units while I pursued my primary degree in graphic design and marketing/advertising. Ceramics continued into my professional career as a source of calming therapy and a place to create with my bare hands during a very ambitious moment in life managing my design business of 10+ years. What started as a casual ceramic sell on Etsy brought the attention of Marianne Rohrlich, a reporter from The New York Times, requesting to showcase my hand painted “FOOD” and “WATER” pet bowls for their May 2016 Mother’s Day/Pet article. I was not ready for what came afterwards. Without sufficient bowls in stock, a reliable firing schedule, or a large enough space for production all while running a primary full time job, I was determined to get the job done at all cost. I’ve always been a hard worker and self critical of good design and quality made goods. But with this recent NYT shoutout, I was attempting to quality control and achieve what felt like an unattainable task as a single person in a new business making large batch, hand made ceramics with very limited time of weekends and weekday evenings. But there is no better motivation than the demand and love for your work. In the middle of production I was able to pack up and move into a new studio to make this new dream a reality.

2016 became my life changing year as I made the decision to pivot away from the continued growth of my graphic design business into a new world of ceramics. But as with all new businesses, the goal is to always first appear more established while the foundations of your brand, inventory, pricing and marketing is quickly being built. I was thrown into a dream career whether I was ready or not. “Fake it till you make it” was something I had to portray and trust in to get me through one of the most intimidating and powerful moment of my life. My first year came with a lot of fast learning and mistakes of overpromising delivery dates, miscalculating shipping, and pricing my work too low. Handmade ceramics is anything but a quick process with so many aspects that are uncontrollable making this business both beyond frustrating and also its allure. A valuable lesson I’ve learned and continue to learn in my business today is “your work is valued and those who love your work will pay for your work and wait for your work”. Now as a full-time ceramic artist, that lesson is more important then ever for the longevity and health of me and my business as I continue to move into new selling spaces.

Jumie Ceramics is inspired by my love of typography, old school hip hop, 90’s nostalgia and visual expressions of endearment and empowerment. It’s both graphic and nature inspired. It’s functional ceramic ware ready to make a statement in your everyday moments. Thoughtful care has gone into every form and decor and truly is a reflection of me and my loyal devotion to my craft.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The pandemic has really heightened my love for the simple pleasures. Taking my truck out oceanside and laying on top of the roof with a bottle of good wine while overlooking the sunset and waves can’t be beat. Santa Monica is a great choice where they hold summer concert series during the week, an amusement pier extending out into the bay and beachfront boardwalks.

The Griffith Observatory is located just above Los Feliz with one of the best vantage points overlooking all of LA. Geek out over the cosmos at The Observatory, get your step count in and take in the view of LA all in one location.

Korea Town is a must stop for one of the best all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ’s. If you’re into spicy soups, Yukgaejang (spicy beef and vegetable soup) or Soondubu (Soft tofu stew) is a great choice.

Din Tai Fung is a must stop for brunch! Please try the soup dumplings. You won’t regret it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the love and support of my family and friends who have been there with me from the start. Thank you infinitely.

My community of artists and creators of Big Art Lab in Lincoln Heights have become my creative family and a place I call my second home. Thank you: Beverly Morrison (@sculptorlady), Ming Wang (@pasadenaville), Julia Frances (@julia_frances_), Alex Feliciano (@aumabstract), Nick Lopez (@nicklopezstudio), Alyse (@alyse__stone), Carson Giles (@gilescarson), Nick A (@nicklbt), Ivan Lee Mora (@ivanleemora), Randy Colicky (@randy_colosky), and Steve Campos (@steve_campos). Special shoutout also goes to Sonia (@iamohsergio), Patrick Semple (@patrick_semple_), and Ren Kwon of Can Pictures (@can.pictures).

Unique Markets (@uniquemarkets) is the first public market space I’ve had the pleasure of selling with and where I’ve met other likeminded entrepreneurs and supportive customers. Though running a creative business is far from easy, I am grateful to Sonia Rasula (@sonjarasula) and her beautiful team for creating a space to learn and thrive. It’s been a dream come true.

I will forever be grateful to Marianne Rohrlich, the wonderful reporter for The New York Times for giving life to my dream career and sending support from all her loyal readers. You’ve changed my life. Thank you doesn’t even being to express my gratitude.

Website: jumieceramics.com

Instagram: jumieceramics

Image Credits
Featured photo: Julie Shuford Photography Studio portraits: Ren Kwon (Can Pictures)