Life is a Labyrinth // Heather [Soulfill]

Life is a Labyrinth // Heather [Soulfill]

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I first connected with Heather through the delightful charms that she has created for us at Baum-kuchen. Since then, I’ve loved getting to know her and discovering the quiet magic in the way she moves through the world. There’s a gentle blend of intention, creativity, and care that radiates through every facet of her life. Whether she’s at the pottery wheel, sketching ideas in her notebooks, giving back to her community through education, or carving out moments of joy in her everyday, Heather’s journey beautifully reflects how creativity can be both grounding and expansive. In this conversation, we explore her story behind Soulfill, her evolving relationship with ceramics, and the life rituals that help her stay connected to herself and her art. - Eunice 

BK: It’s such a joy to connect with you today Heather! To start, could you share a little about yourself and the journey that’s led you to where you are now?

Heather: Hi!  It’s such an honor to be here!  Thank you for having me.

I am a self-professed introvert, homeschooling mom of two teenagers (soon to both be headed to school!), wife to an amazing husband, an artist and crafter, an educator, and a proud cat mama!  I love creating things, knitting things, mending things.  After a couple years away from pottery and ceramics, I’m diving back into it, and am loving every minute.

While I do have several different jobs and roles in life, my career has always been in education. I originally intended to be an art therapist, and started my college journey with that in mind. It sort of twisted and turned, bringing me to art history, psychology, and special education. So, even while I was developing my career as a teacher, I often tried to keep things creative and connected to kindness and empathy. I currently work as an Education Specialist at a homeschool charter school, supporting families in their education journeys. 

These days, I am developing and building my creative career more and more.  When you can’t find me, I’m usually in the pottery studio!

BK: Your brand and website, Soulfill, radiates warmth and intentionality. If you could break down its mission or purpose into a few words, what would you say is at the heart of Soulfill?

Heather: While Soulfill has changed along with the seasons of my life, it has always been a place I imagine that brings kindness and warmth into the world.  A recent phase of Soulfill came about soon after the pandemic, when I felt like we all needed some community and connection. I collected resources for families that focused on kindness, community, nonviolence, acceptance, and love, and shared them on my website and social media. It’s now become more of a place where I document the things that I do regularly that fill my soul.  For me, that’s through creating - making pottery, knitting, doodling, painting, mending - whatever takes me out of the busy-ness of the days, slows me down, and nourishes my soul.  And I would love for it to inspire others to do the same.

BK: Your Instagram is full of inspiring creative moments, but your ceramics especially shine. What first drew you to this medium?

Heather: Ah! I can go on and on about ceramics! I began learning pottery towards the end of the pandemic, when I needed a creative outlet! I had just decided to leave my job for a little while, as my kids were getting older and  I had a feeling our homeschool days would be coming to a close (and I was right!). I decided to take a class at a nearby studio, and I fell in love immediately. It was a perfect blend of challenge, creativity, structure, and flexibility!  I love the constant learning process of ceramics, and how my style and focus can continually change.  It’s also such a humbling craft, and is repeatedly reminding me to slow down. It truly is a meditative art! 


BK: We’ve loved seeing your collaboration with us blossom through the tiny ceramic charms. How did that partnership come to life? Is there a backstory you can share?

Heather: Yes! I connected with Wakako and Frido in the homeschool world, and from there, we have become good friends!  They have been so supportive and encouraging of my art, in whatever form it takes. And I am continually swooning over all the beautiful artifacts they gather! We recently shared a day of art making, where I made charms for everyone, and Frido and Wakako had the wonderful idea of bringing them to the Baum-Kuchen community.  And now, here we are!  I absolutely love seeing them on beautiful journals at BK!

BK: We’re always curious, what does your current analogue system look like? Could you walk us through how you typically use them throughout your day?

Heather: Of course! I absolutely love my TN Passport that Frido personalized! I use it regularly as my space to capture inspiration, jot down ideas, and keep track of my kiln notes. (I was recently gifted a kiln that was no longer being used by a sweet, 92 year old ceramicist!  It has been a major learning process, and I need to keep copious notes as I navigate my new kiln knowledge!) . It has a beautiful Joni Marriot Harmony image on the back, and a wabi-sabi embossing on the front - a perfect reminder for me when making pottery :) I just added the brass pencil into my holder, which has been great for quick sketches of ceramics ideas!

I also use the regular sized TN inserts in a handmade leather notebook that my brother made for me.  That’s where I keep my everyday organization - every night, before I go to bed, I write out the next day’s plans in an 002 grid notebook. After trying several other weekly and monthly formats, I find that I love the flexibility and creativity of just a simple grid! I draw out each month as it approaches, and then daily, I can use a little or a lot of space for my plan, depending on what the next day holds. I also use an 014 Kraft Paper notebook for my constant list-making, and an 027 watercolor paper, for when I get a creative moment.

BK: Are there any rituals or tools that have become non-negotiable in your creative life? A specific pen, journal, practice?

Heather: The nightly ritual of organization has become an absolute non-negotiable, as I make sure that within all the regular daily activities, I am sure to schedule in creative time, too. When I treat my creative time just as importantly as I do the other parts of my life, and literally write it down into the day’s plan,  it becomes a priority and a habit. I’ve found that once I started doing that, it has brought creativity into the forefront of my life.  For quite some time, I was dead-set on erasable pens, but now, I’ve fallen for the Uni Ball One P gel pen!  I’ve come to embrace the wabi-sabi of making changes and scribbling things out rather than erasing them!  It just adds to the honesty of life!

BK: When you've hit a creative wall as many of us experience, do you lean into the pause or try to work through it? What does giving yourself grace look like in those moments?

Heather: What a great question! I like to honor that feeling of being stuck, and know that, as everything is, it is impermanent. I will acknowledge it, while using that time to work on other things that maybe aren’t as “creative,” but are still just as valuable to my creative process. I might glaze pieces that have been sitting on the shelf, flip through my drawings, or watch some videos on a pottery technique I’d like to work on.  I can allow myself the space to learn new things and practice new skills even if I’m not producing anything physically. Until, eventually, that time passes, too, and the creativity starts flowing again!

BK: Outside of your creative work, what are some ways you stay grounded or find joy in your day-to-day life?

Heather: My family is such a source of joy for me! We love to travel when we can, watch shows, and just do life together.  I also love to roller skate!  It’s been on hold as ceramics has truly been my bucket-filler these days, but I’ll sometimes throw on some music and put my skates on as I clean the house or wash the dishes, and it’s the best!  Aside from that, I recently began taking classes for a certificate in therapeutic arts, which has been incredibly fulfilling.  The benefits of the arts on our mental health, and the mental health of children is indisputable. My hope is to create some classes and/or curriculum focusing on bringing art into life as a daily, calming, meditative practice.

BK: Soulfill weaves together creativity, community, and care. When you imagine someone interacting with your work, whether it’s through your ceramics or online presence, what do you hope they walk away feeling?

Heather: I hope that the art I make bring into the world creates a little smile, or a giggle, or just a bit of joy.  I know it’s so much fun to make, and I hope that comes through when it gets into people’s hands.

I also truly hope they are inspired to do something to fill their own souls, whatever that may be: that they see the beauty and necessity in prioritizing what brings them joy, and they make time for just that.

BK: If you could create one ceramic piece that encapsulates who you are, what might it look like, and what would you name it?

Heather: Hmmm… I always come back to the image of a labyrinth.  I have a mug that I made where I embossed a labyrinth at the bottom of it, so whenever I finish my tea, I see it there, and it reminds me of its symbolism.  Most labyrinths have just one path that leads to the center.  Before stepping into it, you often set an intention, and then meditate on that as you walk it.  And I love how the path just leads you along, gently guiding you. You may feel like you’re walking straight to the center, but then get led in a different direction than you thought. But, eventually, through twists, turns, and surrendering, you make it to that center.  It feels very poignant and relevant to the many journeys life brings us on.  So, I could see creating a bigger version of this in sculpture, or some version or interpretation of it.  And the title?  I’d have to go with “Life is a Labyrinth.”

Where to find Heather: 
IG: @soulfill
Website: www.soulfill.com

Bk Artifacts Featured: 

 

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