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.

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.

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.