Magical, playful and feminine, this is how the pretty pieces created by the ceramic artist Stéphanie Goyer-Morin are characterized. This young woman behind the Goye company has been living a fairy tale herself since the launch of her company, almost 5 years ago.
From visual arts to ceramics
Stéphanie Goyer-Morin, founder of Goye
It was during her studies in visual arts at UQAM that Stéphanie first came into contact with ceramics. The one who first defined herself as a 2D artist would never have thought of turning to this medium to make it her profession. It was a discovery. “There is a whole technical side to ceramics, and there is something intuitive. No matter how much you explain it to people, if you can't feel the material, you can't do it. For me, it came very naturally. After her baccalaureate, she continued her studies at the Bonsecours Ceramics Center in fine crafts — ceramics. A few accounting and business management courses completed the training. As soon as Stephanie left school, Goye was born. And the success that the company has known since then cannot be denied.
create the magic
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Stéphanie has fun mixing various techniques in her creations that combine the sculptural with the utilitarian. Most of her pieces are turned on a potter's wheel, some are molded (she then makes her own molds), some are shaped by hand. She also makes colored glazes, like the pale pink one she often uses. His style develops from the imaginary, from the mischievous side of childhood, from the fantastic. We feel that Alice in Wonderland is not far away, and neither is her child's heart! Something to marvel at each coffee savored in one of its magnificent cups!
The challenges encountered
The biggest challenge Stephanie faces is time management. Obviously, starting a business involves a lot of related tasks to perform that are not related to the exercise of one's art. Accounting, email follow-up, social media management, orders… Tasks that are added to product development and production. She does everything on her own, except for the finishing, for which she has recourse to the help of a part-time employee. Dropping out of her job becomes difficult for Stephanie, which is why she sets aside one month a year to travel and really start fresh, which does her a world of good! And that inspires him for future sculptures…
The profession of ceramist requires special time management. Production is a long process that includes several stages. Once the prototype has been developed, it takes a minimum of two weeks to carry out the eight steps required between the turning of the part and its finalization, including two firings of 24 hours each. Two weeks, therefore, when all is well and there are no unforeseen events.
Because there are unforeseen events! A full set of parts came out of the oven and did not work. A conclusive prototype, but other problems arise in production. You have to learn not to panic in the face of problems that arise. “I'm thinking of the watering can I made with Noémiah . There it starts to go well, but I lost one out of two. When I asked for advice, very often the person replied “ let it go, don’t do it anymore, move on ” . But I find the product beautiful and I spent so much time developing it, I want to find the solution! It's a bit like the trip of the job of ceramist. It's so complex as a technique, you have to rack your brains to find the physical or chemical solution that will make it work. And when you get there, what pride to have persevered!
Diversify your activities
Stéphanie had the chance to combine her creativity with that of other artisans, which led her to break out of her routine and explore new avenues. Her collaboration with Noémiah nourishes her enormously. Artisan Noémie approached Stéphanie after the first Puces Pop market in which Goye participated. “It led me to define my brand and my products a little more, to move towards something a little more luxurious. » Between the two craftswomen, the understanding is easy and natural, and they have developed a beautiful collection of objects for the home.
For two years now, teaching has also been added to Goye's service offering. It's a new facet of her job that Stéphanie really likes. “It gives a good balance with the production. My hands are in the clay, but I can't think of all the orders I have to do. Dissecting what she does, going back to the basic principles, it also allowed her to improve her technique.
Goye is moving!
A major new challenge (and happiness!) awaits Stephanie with the arrival of a little baby doll in the spring. Work-family balance is therefore at the heart of its concerns and the planning of its future activities. To lighten her schedule and no longer live in her suitcases, she decided to reduce the exhibitions. Instead, it has developed a new strategy by seeking more points of sale in the store, which allows it a more regular production rate.
She also made the decision to move her studio…into her garage! As she works a lot and she intends to share parental leave with her lover, it was the perfect solution. “Sometimes you just have to go and check on a doneness, it doesn't take a lot of time, but you have to do it regularly. There, I'll be able to go check 2-3 things and be home right away, it makes life a lot easier! She also plans to continue her teaching. This development requiring several works (electricity, plumbing, bathroom, independent entrance), she participates in a Ulule crowdfunding campaign to finance the whole thing. Stéphanie offers exclusive rewards, including a scarf made in collaboration with Noémiah and the illustrator Helsinki mon amour . We can therefore encourage the craftswoman while spoiling ourselves with one of her wonderful products. Go take a look!
We wish her to find the ideal rhythm in her new life as a ceramist artist mom. We have no doubt that she will succeed, and we can't wait to see what this new role will inspire in her!
Reviewed By Melanie
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