Meet the Maker
Mental health is something everyone has and unfortunately most struggle with at some point in their lives. I am on a mission to spread joy through my handmade, functional pottery while being a mental health advocate creating a space for support and tips.
The world is a beautiful place- but unfortunately, life can make it hard to see all of the good sometimes. Brightside Bear was made because I felt that my world of positivity was shrinking. I was becoming consumed by heartbreaking news stories and the overwhelming negativity. I wanted to make a safe space to support people who are struggling and to let them know they are not alone while shining a little light on life. I started Brightside Bear in 2016 to create a world full of positivity, empowerment, and speaking openly about mental health using a combination of personal experience and professional research. I have articles about self-care, relationships, and mental health as well as some helpful handouts I created. There is also a section of resources for you to find help for yourself or a loved one.
In 2017, I took my first pottery class at a local community college. I was struggling horribly with my mental health at the time and the class became a therapeutic escape for me instantly. The process of taking a lump of mud to create something beautiful and functional is magical. Pottery has taught me many life lessons and when I am working with clay my mind is able to just focus on what is in front of me- not the past or the future, just the clay in front of me. Pottery is what I call “fun-strating”- fun, yet frustrating. I knew right away that I wanted to keep playing in clay for the rest of my life and with Brightside Bear I am able to combine my two passions.
Each piece of pottery is handmade by me, from the design process to the final touches. One of my favorite things about pottery is the limitlessness of what I can create and challenging myself to make something different. I get my inspiration from nature’s beauty around me and adore experimenting with different textues, patterns, and colors. I aim to create pottery that brings a smile to your face and brightens up your space! On the bottom of each piece, I write out a word or phrase to serve as a hopeful reminder and a bit of inspiration. I truly believe the little things in life are what can bring us the most joy. Brightside Bear pottery gives you a functional, handmade, one-of-a-kind piece that is made with love from a mental health advocate wishing you the best. My hope is that the positivity from Brightside Bear will help you in the best way possible.
Follow me on Instagram to see the positivity and inspiration I share! To get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear, sign up for emails toto stay up to date on the blog, pottery creations, sales, and giveaways!
