Meet Gab + Ways to Support
Hi friends. It is with deep gratitude that I thank you for landing here, supporting my journey with clay, and sending your positive energy my way!
Since many of you have kindly asked if/how you can offer support during this time, this is a roundup of different (I demand you don't feel obligated) ways. Writers gonna write though, so please scroll to the bolded highlights if you prefer quick answers.
As many know well, my first drop of Ceramics by Gab inventory is less of a *pottery sale* and more of a *pottery fundraiser* in support of my ongoing financial hardship. I experienced my second tech industry layoff in the fall and the sudden passing of my big sister Danielle (a beautifully proud mother of 5) on February 22, 2023. In some ways, it feels like life and time has stood still since then. In others, I see my muddy hands in motion and it serves as proof that I am still growing amid this strange new reality. If you ever see nods to panda bears in my work, it is because they were my sister's lifelong favorite animal and we all miss her so much!
For the last year and a half, I have found working with clay and growing my skills as a potter to be an incredibly humbling, peaceful, and satisfying outlet. When life has thrown unimaginable curveballs, clay has been the constant. It has grounded me, challenged me, given me somewhere to go among community, and continues to reward me with new lessons and triumphs. It is a beautiful, downright fun process and I am only at the beginning of my journey. I am so excited (read: low-key freaking out) to share what I've been working on for months with y'all at long last!
Words of Encouragement
A little positive reinforcement goes a long way! I cannot stress to you enough how difficult it is to be your own hype woman in grief, or the level of rejection you’re required to process while actively job hunting in the tech industry. I have already felt so many of you rooting for me during this career upheaval and it truly helps. Each and every message you all have sent me via social, text, or a quick phone call expressing excitement about my art has been so encouraging and heartwarming. When you’ve gone out of your way to share your memories of my sister with me, the thought of her smile lights up the dark. Your support, in its many forms, means more then you can imagine right now. Thank you.
Social Media Engagement
If you purchase any ceramic items from me, please consider sharing a photo and tagging my @ceramicsbygab Instagram! I'd love to see them in their new homes. If you haven’t purchased anything, following the account and engaging with my posts by dropping a quick comment or re-sharing is a free way to help me get more eyes on my work and show some marketing love.
Fundraiser Inventory Purchases
The debut fundraiser shop is officially OPEN! I am now 9+ months into job hunting and unemployment benefits ceased over 3 months ago, which means I have no source of income right now and my credit/savings are exhausted. Deeply un-fun to admit, but it’s where I’m at right now. That said, I am also so grateful. The brief gap in employment that I experienced after my first tech layoff in San Francisco is actually what led me to clay and meeting my first pottery wheel in January 2022! I found immediate joy in creating unique pieces and gifting them to friends, family, and past coworkers. As a result, my work is already in 8 different states and hopefully more soon.
'Buy Me a Coffee' Donations
Interested in supporting my pottery ventures? New to my ceramic era but love my @charmcitytraveler nature content? Feel called to show some extra love? This fun lil' platform (BMAC) offers content creators/makers the opportunity to accept nudges of support in the form of ‘coffee’ (read also: funds toward clay supplies, pottery membership fees, gasoline, overdue bills, temporary storage, the occasional emotional support cookie, a future therapist, you get it).
Send Content Marketing Job Openings My Way
While being a full-time artist sounds dreamy, I am still actively applying and interviewing for full-time work related to content marketing. My background is in journalism and I have 9+ years of editorial / marketing experience, with 5+ years of tech industry experience at both large companies and fast-paced early stage startups. I am a creative content marketing manager with a knack for storytelling, known for being a team cheerleader and strategic collaborator. If you happen to come across a relevant job opening, please send it my way.