10/09/2023
It's October 9th, and we're rapidly approaching the fourth holiday season for my brick-and-mortar store, Ritual Clay Co., and the tenth holiday season of my journey as an independent artist and brand. Signs are already emerging that the holiday shopping season is upon us. Large corporations are filling their shelves with gem tones and sparkles, and inundating us with gift guides and enticing photography, instructing us on what to buy for our loved ones.
I, like many, can get swept up in the allure of living in a beautifully styled dream world. However, these days, it all feels overwhelming. The constant bombardment of sales pitches in a saturated market, where businesses fight relentlessly for attention, leaves no room for truly living in the present or embracing the different seasons of life. Each year, I find myself obliged to partake in this sales model, which seems increasingly detached from reality and honesty. It feels unnatural to rush through moments that should be filled with joy and meaning solely for the pursuit of profit.
There's a certain discomfort in dangling tempting products before people amid a clear economic decline. It's difficult to ignore what, to me, appears neglectful at best and, at worst, unethical. Why do we continue to consume? How can we reintroduce meaning into the various seasons of our lives without constant commercialization? How can I, with these sentiments, continue as a business compelled to actively engage in the mass illusion of consumption for the sake of survival and profit? These are all questions for which I don't yet have the answers.
However, what I do know is that I'll keep pushing myself to create meaningful items with my own two hands in the meantime. And if you, too, find yourself genuinely moved by them, there's at least a genuine glimmer of authenticity amid all the noise.
This photo was taken by Julia Merrill the day we opened. ❤️
