In 2020, a larger space opened, and Lauren dove heart-first into the opportunity to create a studio and storefront all in one. She now has eight tenants who throw and go as they please, storage room for A LOT of clay, workshops, classes, and a beautiful, sun-lit retail. 

“I’ve worked in retail since I was a teenager,” says Lauren. “I also know that making a living in wholesale is tough, and asking for help has never been my forte.” 

The retail space allows her to consign with other makers and creatives in the Valley. “This summer, I was able to do some work-trade with women in the community, exchanging workspace for a better consignment rate.” 

Community is central to everything Lauren does. “It’s really important to me…It’s just showing people that you’re willing to show up in whatever capacity you can for whatever they need,” she says. “Growing up in Vermont was a good baseline—the community is big there. When I was eleven, we lost my brother in a skiing accident, and seeing how deeply and lovingly the community supported my family was amazing; since then, it’s just been a really important aspect of my life.”  

Opening a larger space and selling other people’s art was a huge leap for Lauren, financially and emotionally. Still, she was clearly filling a need, and her community stepped up to support her. “I love making connections and then helping people connect with what they do. There are people I’ve met who were just starting out in 2020 and are now going full-time into their art. That’s part of why I love astrology — it gives you permission to actually do what you want. And that’s such a beautiful connection point to make.”

Right now, about ninety percent of what is sold at the shop is female-made. Lauren says she can list the male artists she consigns with on one hand but adds that they are wonderful and very involved; it just happened that way. 

In the past year, Lauren’s biggest inspiration for her own work has been acceptance. “Being able to connect with myself, connect with others, and connect with the world. I make these mugs that have hand-written inscriptions that say ‘Trust Yourself.’ I sell them, but honestly, those are for me. When you throw clay, you have to be intentional because you have to prepare it in such a way that you kind of need to have a plan of what you’re going to make. That’s part of why I feel weird talking about my work— because sometimes…I just don’t really know what it is or how to explain it yet.” 

Some of Lauren’s favorite and most well-loved pieces of ceramics are the “boob mugs” she is known for around town. “They’re a cool way to make a connection, connect with other women, and make someone feel more like they belong—any way that we can access that a little more is important to me,” she says. 

We feel very lucky to have custom-made and WIR-branded mugs for sale on our website by the wonderful Lauren Woods. For more pottery & astrology content, as well as killer dance moves and jamz, follow her on Instagram @_dualitas_