working with dirt
what Audrey Rohde of Else loves about LA + extra honey ashtrays for sale!
I’m so excited to announce a collaboration with my friend, Audrey Rohde, the LA ceramicist behind Else handmade ceramics and functional art! Audrey and I met at the shop we work at together in Venice where we spend our time folding vintage Levi’s and yapping about our respective artistic endeavors. I was instantly enamored when Audrey showed me her horned mugs, peace sign trays and bumper sticker wall sconces, so I couldn’t resist but ask her to help make something special for my readers.
Together, we came up with this cute ass extra honey ashtray that is now available for purchase here. Use it to store your most prized pieces of jewelry, burn palo santo, store your keys or for your butts, of course.
Below, I asked Audrey a few questions about her art and life in LA. I hope you enjoy her answers as much as I did! You can also find Audrey on instagram and purchase her other pieces on her website.
How long have you been making ceramics?
9 years! I started out taking classes at a local studio in LA and eventually majored in ceramics in college.
I actually started teaching after my first year of ceramics when I was 15, I don’t think a lot of my students knew how young I was at the time haha!
What did you like and dislike (if anything) about growing up in LA?
I love LA so much now, but I didn’t always feel that way. I had that classic kid who needs to leave their hometown thing and leaving was all I could focus on for a few years. It took leaving for me to realize how wonderful and special Los Angeles is, there’s nowhere just like it and there’s nowhere else I'd rather be from.
You spent a couple years in New York. How would you compare the lifestyle there as compared to LA? Do you miss it?
My dear friend James described NY as fun hell and LA as boring heaven, and he really sums it up in that one. I love New York, I miss it constantly. I’m so grateful for my time there and all the wonderful people I met, but I’m an LA girl at heart, I missed my car, the beach, and I’m really not built for east coast winter. I’ve learned to appreciate the slower pace of Los Angeles that I fought to get away from as a kid.
Where does the name Else come from?
Else is a variation of the names of my grandmother on my dads side (Else Anna) and my great grandmother on my moms side (Else). They were both very strong and independent ladies who I never got the pleasure of meeting, but I make work under their name (it's also half of my middle name!)
What are you most inspired by in the natural world? Oceans, mountains, the desert…something else?
I grew up at the beach and feel connected to the ocean, its so vast and magical. I find it very special to work with dirt - forming little chunks of earth. I recently have been working with a clay that’s sourced from dirt in Long Beach. I have a lot of love for the material so a lot of my work showcases the natural color of the dirt instead of covering it in glaze. The most consistent motif in my work is horns, inspired by bull horns so that ties into the animal world too.
But truly aside from that, I get most of my inspiration as of late from manmade things; bumper stickers, old signage, cloth patches, enamel dish ware for camping.
Who are the artists you are currently most inspired by?
I have been really interested in wood, I find it to be the most beautiful natural material, and love the warmth it brings.
Vince Skelly and Nik Gelormino are both making beautiful work in wood, wonderful carving.
I love the graphic inlays that Sawkille is doing, their pieces tell a great visual story.
Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what’s on your playlist right now?
Yes! Recently I’ve been listening to the album Am by Ovlov
I always love your outfits at work. What’s your most prized article of clothing right now?
My boyfriend, Michael, recently got me a beautiful pair of handmade buckle back jeans from Mister Freedom in Hollywood. I will cherish them forever but they’re not studio jeans - they’re too nice to get covered in clay!
What’s the best meal you’ve had in LA recently?
I’ve been frequenting Jackson Market in Culver City, their deli sandwiches are amazing and I’ve been going there with my family since I was a kid!
What’s your drink order when you go out?
Vodka soda double lime!!!
Have you read or watched anything lately that you can’t stop thinking/talking about?
Yes! The book Everything Now by Rosecrans Baldwin. Its a fantastic depiction of what LA is really like, and it puts into words this feeling I often think about. The energy in the city is one of hope, everyone has their dream they are working towards, there are so many inspiring little pockets and special things that could exist nowhere else. Highly recommend!
Tell us about your adorable pets!
My boyfriend and I share three sweet pet rats! Jonie, Apple, and Patch. We are semi-new rat owners, our oldest rat is 9 months, and we couldn’t be happier with them, they are so smart and loving. I’m a rat girl for sure haha!
What are your hopes for the future of Else and your art in general?
I want to continue to learn and broaden the world of materials I work with. I’ve done a little metalworking and woodworking, I’m interested in leatherwork and textiles too.
My heart is in furniture, and I'd love to have the space to scale up the size of my creations. One day I hope to have my own studio to do a little bit of everything in.
That’s all for now! Be sure to follow Audrey on instagram and grab an ashtray while you still can. ;)
They're so cute!!