#AllCoopedUp with Clare McGibbon, Ceramicist
I discovered Clare when she was still living in Brooklyn (she has since relocated to LA). We have been lucky enough to carry her line in our store, +COOP, from the very beginning. She was one of our first artisans. Clare McGibbon founded A WAYS AWAY in Paris, France in 2011. A WAYS AWAY is a place to find vibrant DIY content and a collection of handmade ceramics and goods, ranging from home decor to jewelry. Clare's work has been featured in the Washington Post, Apartment Therapy, Elle Decoration Sweden, Real Simple, Etsy Journal and Mollie Makes, amongst others. I love working with her and can’t wait to see what she makes next. - Jenna
What’s your profession, and what does your day-to-day work experience look like now?
I'm a full-time ceramicist living and working in Los Angeles. On any other day, I would work on fulfilling wholesale orders from my home studio (garage). Since COVID 19, my day-to-day has heavily shifted. Small brick and mortar shops have had to close their doors, so the wholesale orders have come to a halt. I've been trying to use my time "wisely" by looking at different options for my business, but I have no idea if I'm succeeding. In this limbo, time takes on a whole new dimension.
Are there objects or spaces in your house that you are newly appreciating? Or are there objects and spaces you have come to loathe?
It was raining and rather cold here in LA, so working from my uninsulated studio wasn’t an option. Instead, I've been cooking A LOT and sewing masks for family and friends at my dining room table. I'm looking forward to getting back to the studio and spending evenings in the garden watching the plants grow. Maybe I'll even find the motivation to do some much-needed spring cleaning once the weather warms up and the doors can be flung open.
Describe your at-home quarantine uniform.
I'm on a heavy rotation of baggy sweaters and elastic-waisted pants.
Who are you quarantining with? Do you feel the need to “get away”? How do you make it happen?
My husband. In the afternoons we take our dog on a walk around the neighborhood and admire plants and houses along the way. We're also very lucky to be living in a house that has several rooms we can escape to.
What’s the last thing you purchased online? Regret or obsessed?
Fabric — you can never go wrong with fabric.
Tell us the best shows, podcasts, or books you’re loving right now.
I've started reading right before bed which has helped immensely with anxiety-brain. I'm currently reading Jen Gotch's new book, The Upside of Being Down and The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair.
Do you have any new quarantine activities or rituals?
Making bread once a week (along with the rest of Instagram) and drinking herbal tea right before bed. I've also been spending every waking hour on video calls with friends and family.
What is your favorite quarantine snack? What restaurants are you ordering takeout from?
I can't get through the week without a BLT made with garden-grown arugula and homemade bread. I truly enjoy eating out with friends, but since that isn't an option right now, we're doing a dinner exchange with some friends that live close by. One night of the week we'll cook a little extra food and deliver it to them, and they'll do the same for us on another night. It's a fun new way to get "delivery" and it's exciting to try new flavors and recipes.
What is the one item you’re glad you stocked up on? What do you wish you’d stocked up on?
Flour and yeast. I bought a large bag from a small local grocery store as soon as we saw the shelves were out of bread. If I'm running super low on essentials and need to go for a grocery run, we text friends to see if anything needs to be picked up. It avoids having several households venturing out all at once. I also truly appreciate all of the restaurants that have converted into general stores. It's a great option for fresh produce, contactless pickup, and it'll hopefully help them stay in business.
What is your creative outlet and how are you making space for it?
I've started making a freeform quilt and I'm really enjoying how the design comes to life as you sew. On the flip side, using the fabric to sew masks is surreal.
Describe your biggest quarantine indulgence.
Going to bed at unruly hours and sleeping in.
What are you doing for exercise?
Absolutely nothing. When this is all over I may not even be able to fit through my front door.
Are you sharing recipes with friends?
Of course! Food has been an amazing form of therapy for us all.
What’s been the biggest challenge for you throughout this?
Feeling overwhelmed in not knowing what the future holds. I have to constantly remind myself that I never did, never will, and that the present is a gift.
When this is over I cannot wait to _______.
Be closer than ever before.
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