Meet The Maker: Kristin Rucker

Tell us a little about yourself. What do you make? What led you to explore pottery?

I make ceramic art for joy and living. My work is rooted in the idea that you are the star of your own story—I just make the set design. I imagine everyone living an exciting, unfolding life, and I hope my pieces become conversation starters that celebrate who you are and the memories you're creating.

I first fell in love with clay at a summer camp when I was six years old. I remember thinking, I love this. That feeling never left me. Later, I pursued a degree in ceramics, where I was classically trained in traditional Persian and Japanese pottery techniques. In college, my independent study focused on Consciousness in Children's Art, inspired by the work of Kendall Kellogg. I've always been fascinated by the idea that an object and imagery can distill a universal feeling—something deeply personal that still resonates with everyone.

Later, I earned a master's degree in screenwriting, which solidified my love of character-driven storytelling. Today, every piece I make has its own personality, and together they create a world that's unmistakably Rockstar Ceramics.

What do you like most about what you do?

My favorite part is when I make something with a particular person in mind—and somehow that exact person finds it. Connecting to others through my work is my joy. I love hearing people's stories. Someone will tell me, "This reminds me of a trip my husband and I took," or, "This is going in my kitchen because it reminds me of my childhood." Those moments mean everything to me. Every piece I create is meant to be a small token of love—something to keep, gift, treasure, and weave into someone's own story.

How many hours a week do you spend creating? How would you describe your work style?

I work every day. Ceramics is my full-time career, and I'm usually in the studio for eight or more hours. I actually track my hours! I'm fun and silly, but I'm also incredibly serious about what I do because I have big goals.

People say you'll never work a day in your life if you love what you do, and I really feel that's true. I'm the maker, marketer, photographer, shipper, customer service department, social media manager—everything. It's never-ending, and I genuinely feel blessed that I get to do it. And shout out to Veer Collective, the ultimate online sales aficionado! Teamwork is the work style also.

I work in collections. While my work may appear spontaneous, there's a lot of planning happening behind the scenes. I'm definitely a spreadsheet girl.

What inspires you in your day-to-day?

I try to enjoy each day and intentionally notice what I'm grateful for. I make time to read, to call friends, or to ask the shop clerk how their week has been.

I never force inspiration. I let it surprise me. It's like reading a great book—you never know when you’ll come upon your favorite part of the story. Then suddenly, something happens, and you know you've reached that page in your own day.

What other hobbies, interests, or jobs keep you busy when you're not making pottery?

Lately I've been pickling vegetables, and I recently bought an espresso machine, so I've been trying to become good at making coffee. More than anything, though, relationships fill my cup. I believe the people in your life are the true measure of success and a life well lived.

Are there any artistic mediums you haven't worked with but would like to try?

I recently bought some silver clay. It looks a bit like Play-Doh, but when it's fired in the kiln, it becomes solid silver. I haven’t tried it yet. One day I'd love to make myself some jewelry. I'm drawn to the idea of adornments—the most timeless form of personal expression.

What have you learned about yourself from creating your brand?

Rockstar Ceramics comes from the idea that clay vitrifies into rock, and every rock is a star in its own right. "These rocks are stars."

Building this brand has taught me that I really can figure things out. More importantly, it's shown me just how many kind, encouraging, and generous people there are in the world, the true form of rockstars.

Any comments or wisdom to share about the hustle of an artist's life?

There's a Bob Dylan lyric from I'll Keep It with Mine—I actually prefer Nico's version—that says, "Everybody will help you, some people are very kind." I've found that to be true. Everyone has something to teach you if you're willing to listen.

My advice is to stay excited about the future—that's faith. Stay open to possibilities you haven't imagined yet—that's hope.

As I've grown as an artist, I've realized every job I've ever had has prepared me for what I'm doing now. At the time, many of those jobs felt difficult or uncomfortable, but now I constantly find myself thinking, I'm so glad I learned that then. For example, people thought I was crazy for driving a van across the country to do an art show. What they didn't know was that years earlier I'd driven a box truck through Atlanta rush-hour traffic while helping open a shop. Experiences like that quietly build confidence. The hard things you do today often become the easy things you rely on tomorrow.

As far as mantras of art making;

People are the artwork. Objects help tell their stories.

Wonder is a daily practice.

Objects carry emotion.

Craft and discipline matter.

 

Dogs or cats?

Puppies!

Random fact about yourself?

I'm a huge fan of celebrity gossip. Give me tabloids, blind items, Hollywood history—I love all of it.

What does the word "veer" mean to you?

To me, veer means allowing yourself to step away from the expected path when something wonderful catches your attention. It's choosing curiosity over routine, staying present enough to notice inspiration when it appears, and giving yourself permission to follow it.