LINDA OF YONDER
Tell us a little bit about your back story. Where are you from?
I’m a 5th Gen San Franciscan. Though I live down the coast from the city in Pacifica, I have my shop in SF. I have been doing ceramics for almost 20 years. I did some time in the corporate world and learned my craft doing it part-time for many years. It was 2012 when I left corporate to see if I could make a go of it full-time. One thing led to another, I did several projects with Anthropologie, many shows and events, and then opened my own storefront, studio space in 2013.
![](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0226/2693/files/Freda_Forum_In-text-07.jpg?v=1597090073)
When did you start your company and what inspired you to do so?
I had been making and selling since 2008, but went full-time in 2012, and opened the shop in 2013. I thought I could make a go of it. I just seemed like the right time to take the leap.
Can you share about your process? What makes your product unique? What do you love most about it?
I am a hand builder, which means I don’t use a pottery wheel. I make everything flat and in pieces. It’s very construction-oriented, but having done years of tile making before moving vertically it was a natural progression. My work has a definite style, the seam is a big proponent when I started that part of it, it was considered unacceptable by many ceramic communities, but I kept working it to make it a feature. I just thought, why hide the seam? So, getting the work clean, architectural, and modern is always my goal.
![](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0226/2693/files/Freda_Forum_In-text-02.jpg?v=1597083853)
What do you value most about the community you have built at Yonder?
I love teaching, and having students in the studio for a class is one of my favorite things! With the pandemic, I really miss that aspect of studio life, and that translates to my shop customers, too. The real reason I opened the shop is that I like the conversation!
What does Women Supporting Women mean to you?
I think it’s so important to encourage women, for women to support one another’s careers, creativity and give knowledge and experience to help them. I was lucky enough to have incredible mentorship over my making career by some unforgettable women.
Can you share one other female-founded business we should know about?
Botnia Skin Care is one of my favorite products, founders, and company philosophies. Rare Device, a shop in SF is always a front runner, supportive of women, artists, and their neighbors. I know the owner, Giselle, and I know how dedicated she is to what she’s doing. Elana Gabrielle, Elana is from SF, lives in Portland, and designs beautiful textiles. Liha Beauty, a new company I’m interested in for the shop. Esqueleto, Lauren has a beautiful aesthetic and a new location in NY. It’s one of my favorite shops. Katie Gong, Katie, and I have been collaborating and doing some exciting pieces, more of that in the coming months. I could go on and on.