On Glass-Blowing And Nurturing Self-Trust: Tak Tak
Photo courtesy of Tak Tak.
ABOUT RISA RECIO AND TAK TAK
Risa Recio is the the founder and glass maker behind Tak Tak, bringing joy, magic, and humor to your everyday ritual.
1. Describe Tak Tak with three emojis.
🤪✨🔥
2. What does being a creative person mean to you? How do you claim your creative identity?
Creative people embrace that the possibilities are endless. I am often baffled by people who want to be right or refuse to recognize that there is only one way to go about doing things. I am not a trained or highly skilled glassblower, but I think my lack of skill has allowed me to do some creative problem solving in the hotshop to make up for it. Tak Taks are not perfect: they can be wonky and irregular, and we're proud of it!
3. Looking back on the last year, what have you learned from your business or creative work?
The past year has proven to be one of big change personally and professionally. This past spring, I slowly transitioned into doing Tak Tak full time. Then, in late summer, my partner and I moved from Chicago to Austin. There was a lot of doubt and questions, but my intuition never failed me. I allowed myself to be guided by gut and a careful, critical eye in my business and creative decisions.
4. Describe the feeling you get when you make something new that’s in line with your vision.
I find myself absolutely smitten and laser focused on it. When the right pattern, color, and/or size all come together in one object, I feel like I'm holding onto a big secret. It can take a few tries to get something "right" in the hotshop, so when everything falls into place I want to keep making it over and over again until I can share it with others.
5. How do you get into the headspace to make something new?
It can happen in the long term or it can happen spontaneously. If thinking long term (like creating a whole new silhouette for a vessel), I make a lot of drawings and sit with them for a while, cutting and pasting different elements together, etc. Drawing in general helps me declutter my brain as well so it serves two purposes. There are other times in the hotshop where experiments or stubborn pieces that require some improvisation can lead to a permanent place in the product line.
6. If you could collaborate with any vendor on The Front Market lineup, who would it be?
Meg Martinez of Meg Ya Look! I love her very honest and authentic design and message— especially that she is "inspired by real life feelings." I appreciate that.
7. What do you hope for the future of Texas?
It's the same hope I have for everywhere: that young people, LGBTQIA folks, and women have autonomy over their bodies and healthcare decisions.
8. What has the word “community” come to mean to you this last year?
It's having shared and common goals with others, and working towards those goals with care and compassion together.
9. What are some of your goals for 2022?
To keep trusting my intuition, to take better care of my physical health, and to call and check-in on my friends more often.
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