Check Out Emily Figueras’ Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Figueras.

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Creativity has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was that kid who rented out all the arts and crafts books at her local library. As an adult, I had the opportunity to work in jobs that required creativity, but never thought I’d be able to start a small business with my own art. It’s something that had always been a dream, but I didn’t know where to start or if it was even possible. I was working as a Gallery Director for my local arts council when COVID hit.

I had been working there for almost 5 years and it was so inspiring to get to know all the local artists. They were supporting themselves by doing the things they loved most. Our organization had to shut down for the first 3-4 months after COVID started, I had to apply for unemployment at that time. I took the opportunity to practice the different art forms I enjoyed and opened a small Etsy shop to help out with expenses. When the organization started back up slowly, I was hired back part-time. I had been enjoying practicing my own art so much that I made a deal with myself: If I could make what I was being paid part-time at the arts council with my small business, it might be worth a shot to try it out full-time.

I met that goal for a few weeks, then decided to take the leap. I started Fragments and Fig full-time in October of 2020. I specialize primarily in pottery with my face mugs and functional pieces, and I also offer printmaking, stained glass, and jewelry. I put “fragments” in the name because of my love for many mediums. A bit of this, a bit of that. And the ‘Fig’ comes from my last name, Figueras, meaning “keeper of figs”, or “fig tree”.

I recently passed my one-year mark of being in business, and I was thrilled to find out that I made a decent profit selling my own work! I have filled my year with festivals, pop-ups, classes, wholesale orders, custom pieces, Etsy sales, and gallery shops. My customers have absolutely filled my heart with joy in their support! They are literally making my little dream come true.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a challenge to find the events and locations that best receive my work. This first year, I have spent a lot of time “finding my audience”. Every artist has a style and as much as I want to, I can’t appeal to everyone.

I’ve had really fun times meeting people who are excited about my art, and discouraging times when people think it’s too expensive, don’t understand the work that goes into it, or simply don’t like it. I’m learning that it’s normal to come across both of those reactions and not to take it personally.

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?
I’m a bit of a jack of all trades when it comes to art forms. I offer pottery, printmaking, stained glass, and jewelry. I dabble in a lot of different mediums, so that’s bound to make its way into what I offer. The act of creating brings me the greatest joy. My work is mostly inspired by nature and nostalgia. I like to offer pieces that are classic and pay homage to NC pottery roots.

I’m primarily known for my “Morning Muggin’ Mugs” they are face mugs inspired by classic NC face jugs. I give them all a name and story. They have things they like, things they don’t like, and how they take their coffee. Some have best friends or other mugs they are feuding with.

They are a lot of fun to interact with and are by far my best seller.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I tell people that I grew up in the rural southeast making mudpies and playing in the dirt as a kid, so it’s a natural progression that I would become a potter. I was homeschooled, so I had a lot of time to spend outdoors. I feel a deep connection to the woods, bugs, and animals, so I draw a lot of inspiration from that.

Growing up, art and creativity came very naturally to me. As a kid, I wanted to be a professional dancer, archeologist, zookeeper, or artist. It’s amazing how much our childhood experience affects us into adulthood, and how much we had figured out as kids.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: etsy.com/shop/fragmentsandfig
• Instagram: instagram.com/fragmentsandfig
• Facebook: facebook.com/fragmentsandfig