Linda
Fahey
Beyond being the chief curator and proprietor of YONDER, artist Linda Fahey spends much of her time in the shop's studio, making her own line of ceramics. Inspired by a life lived by the coast, Linda’s work spans tile production, clay sculpture, tabletop ceramics and custom commissions. In response to the shelter in place, Linda has started offering virtual shopping appointments to explore her store, allowing her to reconnect with her regular customers and keep the doors open through tumultuous times.
Creating personalized shopping experiences
Ceramicist, Owner of YONDER
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Linda and her
studio mate, Obi
Tell us a bit about yourself
14 MAY 2020 I’m Linda Fahey. I’m from San Francisco and live in Pacifica—I’m fifth generation SF. I am a ceramic artist and I’ve been doing clay-related art for more than 20 years now. 8 years ago, I opened a retail shop that fronts my clay studio, it’s called YONDER.
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Linda in her studio
How have the last few weeks or months shaped or impacted your practice?
I’m currently adapting through this ever-changing environment. There is no way to see too far ahead, as things change so rapidly. I’ve made a few changes and will be refining some more over the coming month.
I’ve decided to do FaceTime personal virtual shopping appointments. I’ve done them over the last 10 days and they have been great. I enjoy so much reconnecting with my regular customers—getting a chance to chat with them, and they come and pick up orders.
I am finding it a personal favourite way to work with my customers. I haven’t had an online store for the shop; it’s mostly for my classes, and I realize that that’s because it’s so impersonal. I know convenience is nearly everything, but I so believe in personal interaction, that during this pandemic reality, the virtual appointments are engaging, personalized and it’s why I have a shop in the first place. I really like my customers!
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An assortment of glaze tests
Photo: Kristen Loken, Luxe Interiors + Designs
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Linda carves a wave pattern into a plate
Photo: Kristen Loken, Luxe Interiors + Designs
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Trivets can be used for hot dishes or as wall art
Photo: Kristen Loken, Luxe Interiors + Designs
There is no way to see too far ahead.”
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Inside YONDER
How are you coping at home?
I’m fine at home! I’m an introvert, I’ve practiced for this my entire life.
What has inspired you recently?
I’m very into podcasts, so the interesting pods that have come out have kept me going during my home time. The surprise has been my lack of focus.
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Hand carved cobalt
inlay waves on plates
What are you looking forward to?
I’m casting such a wide visual net, and I have so much uncertainty that I stay pretty centered in the right now today, this week, this month kind of thing. I have some projects that I’m starting on, and I’m looking forward to those. I’m looking forward to figuring out how to migrate my classes online.
Above
Stacked dinnerware set with
hand carved cobalt inlay waves
How can people support you?
Set up virtual appointments with me, buy gift cards on our website for future use, order pieces—dinnerware sets are a favourite right now! And pass along what we’re doing to friends, too.
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Linda in her shop
Photo: Russel Yip, The Chronicle