MDG Artist Profiles: Giana Eden

We’re fortunate to have the work of ceramic artist Giana Eden gracing our virtual shelves and delighted by the children’s products she’s developed with us in mind. From her studio space in Jessup, Georgia, Giana creates our much loved Toadstool Tea Sets and Elephant Teapots. Our warm thanks to Giana for lending her talents to Mahar Drygoods and for taking a few moments to share a little of her life and work.

1. Were you interested in arts and crafts as a kid?  What’s the first thing you remember creating?
I was always happiest when making things. I remember a set of little paintings I did as a little girl that were all the members of the circus. From the clown to the ring master. I’ve always wondered where they ended up. But soon after that, at age 6 or so, I realized I could make things and sell them to my neighbors. The first thing i made where tissue flowers - tissue boxes came in assorted color tissues in one box ( my favorite). So, I could make a bouquet of multi-colored flowers, spray them with perfume…and off I went. I progressed to decorated sweetheart soap duos, to match any bathroom decor. ( I took special orders). These were truly spectacular works of crafting art for a ten year old.  As I look back I imagine my patient neighbors thinking, here she comes again, I wonder what she’s selling now!
2. Tell us about your home life.
I live in an old 120+ year old house in a small southern town in south east Georgia. I am still selling things to my neighbors, but they usually come to my house to buy pottery. I have made my front room into a showroom of finished wares.
My two kids are grown, but i have great neighborhood kids who come by to visit and love helping dig out the clay buckets and get dirty. My two dogs and three cats are often with me in the studio.
3. When and where do you craft/create/design? Â Do you have any other jobs in addition to your small business, and if so, what?
I have a large studio out in the back of my house. We have a bamboo grove surrounding the studio, so there is bamboo out of every window. Most of the year it is warm enough to keep the screened glazing studio open, but in the winter it is wrapped up and heated by a wood stove or the three kilns. My studio is always full of works in progress, and is my favorite place to be. I usually listen to music or audio books while I work.
I also teach senior aerobics classes three times a week down the street from my home. I have a great group of women who are happy to dance, march and shake it up a bit with me to music as varied as old rock and roll to Broadway. I also teach a yoga class to keep my body limber and able to climb in and out of my Japanese style wheel areas.

4. Did you collect anything as a kid? Â Do you collect anything now as an adult?
I collected small wooden animals and figurines. I made an animated movie in art school as a freshman using my whole collection…but I started giving them away one by one in my twenties. Now i have a collection of penguins…and i still make penguins all the time!
5. What were your favorite toy and your favorite book when you were a kid?
My favorite toy was my Vacuform. I use the vacuform technique in a way to make my Elephant teapots! My favorite book was the Secret Garden. I believed that book to be a real part of my dreams, a place I could go to. I am also a big Winnie the Pooh fan - especially Piglet.

6. Who encourages you in your artistic pursuits? Â Who or what inspires you to continue creating?
My Mom and Dad always encouraged me and my four sisters to be creative. We were like the real Little Women. We all were individuals and different, but we were inspired to be the best we could be at our chosen artistic endeavors. My son Luke and my daughter Liana are my biggest fans. They are very interested in what i am making and try to find new markets for my wares. My husband John is my biggest inspiration because he supports my choices to work in the studio and sell my wares. He is always by my side when I need him.
I love to go out to work and am always thrilled when a new idea comes. I am most of the times met with ooos and aahhs and love bringing my new work out to the festivals that we go to. I have loyal customers who collect my pottery, so i love to have new items to show them.

























