As Seen On : Leigh Cronin + Clara Hodges
I first met Clara Hodges and Leigh Cronin in the summer of 2021 at the Spirit of Old Portsmouth art market at the Pressroom in Portsmouth. Leigh + Clara were vending their Off Menu Pots at the table beside me, and as the customers started coming into the market, I started hearing little snippets of their story. Clara would say, “I throw the pots and Leigh paints them.” And then, “I know, aren’t Leigh’s paintings so beautiful!?! I LOVE how she did this one!” And Leigh, “Clara just makes the most gorgeous forms, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!” And later, “Yeah, Clara makes the pieces at MudCity in Rochester and then I paint them in my studio in Portsmouth, and then we bring them back to Rochester to get fired….”
Me, “Wait, what?”
I was in awe, first of their beautiful, fun + funky pottery, then of the fact that it was made by 2 distinct artists with 2 very separate but integral roles, and then by the thought of the logistics, the timing, the planning and the faith that it had to have taken to create the collection that I saw in front of them, and then by the brilliance of being able to authentically gush over each other’s artistry, the way they could champion each other and ultimately themselves, without sounding like complete jerks. And that’s even the best part, they are light and love and beautiful and goofy and incredibly talented and kind. The most non-jerky people you could ever meet.
I sat there beside them, amazed and to be completely honest, slightly envious of their partnership, of being in it together, of the comfort and openness of being able to share + applaud each other’s gifts.
Sometimes at a market, the vendors will watch each other’s tables if someone needs a quick food/pee break. I can sell my neighbor-vendor’s wares far more comfortably than I can sell my own, pointing out the craftsmanship, the beauty, the ingenuity of whatever they make. But my own work? “Just let me know if you have any questions…” I’ll say, while not saying, “I’ll be over here, appearing to ignore you, but really hoping you’ll love my jewelry as much as I do.”
Leigh + Clara and I have continued to cross paths, at local art markets, each other’s studios, wearing, using + gifting each other’s pieces. I even had the honor of making Clara + Carter’s bands for their wedding last September. Once vendor-neighbors and now friends, you can come see all of us [Clara’s forms, Leigh’s paintings, their pots, my jewelry, Clara’s wedding band] this weekend at the Button Factory Open Studios. I would love to share with you the beautiful alchemy of Leigh + Clara, of their two gifts combined.
*Studio photos of Leigh + Clara by Penny Antares. Wedding Photos by Joe Murphy
Leigh + Clara, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves and how you met each other?
Clara: I grew up in New Hampshire and studied pottery off and on through college at UNH. I’m the youngest of seven, all with artistic abilities of their own. I didn’t foresee myself with a ceramics business but now I can’t see myself doing anything else. I got married this year to the most supportive person of my artistic pursuits and I feel so grateful to be where I am in life.
Leigh: I grew up in Portsmouth, NH and attended art school in Montpellier, France. I spent my early 20s traveling throughout Europe, visiting as many museums, quaint villages and cities as possible. Starting in high school I began experimenting with any creative medium I could get my hands on and eventually grew to focus on illustration.
We met working in Portsmouth, NH at a downtown restaurant / music venue.
Leigh, Clara, Pots
And what about your business…How did Off Menu Pots come to be?
We started because we were both feeling pretty stagnant in our work. It was mid pandemic and we were painting houses together. Leigh learned her decoration technique over the summer and was looking for a potter to work with. At this point, Clara hadn’t worked with pottery in 4 - 5 years but decided to give it a try. We have come a long way since that time, creatively and with ease of operations. In the beginning we were firing our work in Manchester and working from our makeshift studios in our homes (cold garages and shared spaces). Now we have a warm and wonderful community studio MudCity Clay in Rochester, NH that Clara works out of and is an intern at and we have a studio in The Button Factory in Portsmouth, NH that Leigh shares with Anne Muller of Upper Form clothing. Our work has changed as we have gotten more comfortable with the process but we encourage each other to explore so we foresee it continuing to evolve.
Clara, you throw the pots, and Leigh, you do the glazing/painting designs…what is it like for each of you to be surprised by what the other has created?
It is one of the best parts! We give each other creative freedom to make work that is fulfilling to each of us, so it is really special when we see pieces out of the kiln fully fired. We get to be excited about the piece and celebrate each other’s talent - it’s a nice ego boost and a chance for us to appreciate all the work we have put in to get where we are.
What has been the most surprising aspect of running + owning your own business?
I think that we have been able to make it as far as we have, we are continuing to grow and are excited to see what next year will hold.
Are there any goals that either of you might like to pursue outside of your business?
Clara: I am hoping to finally get to some more museums, do some day trips, basically just do more traveling in the next couple years
Clara + Leigh in their studio.
How did you and Amy first meet? And from there, how has your friendship grown or evolved?
We met Amy at the Spirit of Old Portsmouth art market at the Pressroom in Portsmouth, NH in 2021. We were set up right next to each other. Leigh and I had just started out and Amy gave us recommendations and advice and all around made us feel welcome to the artist community. Amy has continued to be a resource to us as we went through many markets together and our first tax season. We had the opportunity to host Amy at the Button Factory open studios event last December and are so glad to have her again. It hasn’t been an equal relationship in terms of helping each other but maybe one day we’ll have more to offer Amy!
Has anyone else helped you along the way? If so, who and how?
Meghan Samson, the owner of MudiCty, has been a huge help to us both in learning techniques but also in helping develop balance in owning your own business. We are surrounded by badass friends who own businesses and we try to learn everything we can to create a solid business.
If people want to see you + your work in person, where can they find you?
Our next big event is The Button Factory Open Studios, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of December in Portsmouth NH. Then, The Holiday Makers Market at Silvaticus Brewery on the 10th of December in Amesbury MA. We have a full list on our website offmenupots.com
What pieces of Amy’s can you be seen wearing? How do you typically style these?
Clara: I love Amy’s Numa Studs, and she made our wedding bands so I am usually wearing a piece that she designed. I wear Amy’s earrings when I am trying to dress up and look cool.
Is it an everyday piece for you or a special occasion, a statement?
Clara: I have different pieces for all three!
Is jewelry the first thing you think about or the last thing you adorn with when it comes to outfitting for the day?
Clara: Often my earrings are the final touches.
Thank you so much for reading our latest installment of As Seen On. You can check out their website to learn more about Leigh + Clara + Off Menu Pots or give them a follow on Instagram. And you visit all of us at the Button Factory Open Studios this weekend, and the Silvaticus Holiday Makers Market next weekend.
And ASO readers, please enjoy 20% off of Leigh + Clara’s favorite AVE styles through the end of December. [Clara : the Numa Studs, the Citrine Necklace and the Innis Hairpin. Leigh: the Elise Hoops] Discount is automatically taken at checkout.
If you or someone you know wears AVE jewelry and is interested in being featured in our “Ode to the Wearers", please reach out to us. We’d love to learn more about you and what you wear.