Sia’s background: Welcome! I am a functional potter with experience in craft, design, wood-firing, gas-firing, gallery sales and studio production. My education in this field was the traditional apprenticeship / immersion route and I studied under and worked for Dan Vito of Fireborn Studios in Pittsburgh, was a studio apprentice with John Bogard at Planet X Pottery and was a Resident Artist for the Ceramics Studio at Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, PA. I co founded two pottery studios in Vancouver WA and an apprenticeship program for teenagers, and have volunteered in the public schools.

Artist philosophy: Merging form and function, I create dishes for everyday use, therefore bringing beauty into our daily lives and ordinary motions. My love of pottery is rooted in my lifelong love of tea and the cradling of mugs. This became such a grounding routine in my day that I was determined to create the dishes that I wanted to hold. My love for wind, weather and water is the spirit breathing life into my clay work, and I am passionate about gathering, togetherness, nourishment and display, encouraging us all to slow down, connect, give, and receive.

PLACE & Design: I bring the various palettes and spirit of the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Maine and Scotland into view by naming my lines and designs (like “ripple” and “swirl”) after the titles of places and elements beloved to me: Surf & Pebble, Raincloud, Cannon Beach, Celtic Swirl, Buck Lake, Blueberry Hill, Marsh & Moss, Redwood Forest, White Sky Days, Seafoam & Kelp… (Coming: Ecola and Keyhoe Beach!)

HISTORY of ELIZA CLAY: I started off my pottery path in Appalachia, naming it Hanover Ridge Pottery. Fast forward a decade (and six children) later to when I decided to actively become a professional studio potter again out on the West coast: As I attempted to newly sign Hanover Ridge West on each pot I made, it got a little arduous, and definitely didn’t work for the smaller pots! Not wanting a stamp, but to continue the very personal touch of hand-carving a signature on each pot I made, I took my middle name and used it for my signature. Eliza Clay was born! 

For commissions, collaboration, or more info, get in touch!

elizaclaypottery@gmail.com | (360)907-2487