There is no shame in my pottery (or ceramic) hoarding game. It’s 3-dimensional art that can be collected and displayed together or alone (like a vase) and when it’s handmade by an artist, it adds so much soul to your house. It’s one of the few things (along with art) that I always grab at the flea market even when I don’t have a place for it because when it’s good, you can’t pass it up. But not everyone has access to amazing flea markets here in LA like we do. And because I believe in the power of pottery and ceramics (plus, I just can’t imagine ever styling out a room without it), we decided to put together a big listing of 22 of our favorite sources and artists with some of our product picks from each in case you want to snag some. Give these people a hand because they are making our projects and homes SING. Many we’ve used in our own EHD projects, others we’ve just been admiring from afar, so dig through and I hope you can find some new design crushes among the pack.
Passing the keyboard (ha, not really) to Jess to walk you through:
MQuan Studio: Would this even be an EHD ceramics post without Michele Quan?? NO, no it would not. Her pieces are some of our all-time favorites and Emily/team have used her work in countless rooms. They are the epitome of modern and organic and they are somehow even more beautiful in person.
Heath Ceramics: This San Francisco-based company is all about integrity, transparency and beautifully made ceramics and tile. They don’t come cheap but they will last you a lifetime. We have one of their studio mugs in our office and it’s always a silent fight on who gets “the pretty mug.”
Ben Medansky– We are all basically fan girls of Ben. His pieces are unexpected and undoubtedly cool. We might have also just shot his studio for the book and it might kill us to wait until next year to show you.
Sophie Alda Studio: It’s almost impossible to not fall for these vessels. The signature electric blue is currently VERY on-trend but there is something still very timeless about her pieces that make us want them all…especially the extra large jug eared vase.
Sheldon Ceramics: If you are looking for beautiful ceramics in simple delicate shapes then look no further than Sheldon Ceramics. Another EHD favorite, these extremely wonderful makers create ceramics that bring an effortless depth to any space. We are definitely partial to the moon vases.
Danny Kaplan Studio: Danny’s pieces somehow look vintage from the day they are born…well, made. Ceramics can’t be born. They walk the line between traditional and modern effortlessly. Plus, we are suckers for tiny handled vases.
Melinda Forster: Remember when Em went to LA’s Downtown Modernism last year and found the coolest pieces ever? Well, if not go check out the post but it was there she met the ever-talented Melinda Forester. Her pieces are unique abstracts that make our hearts sing.
Ren Vois: A heaven of pastels. Their simple, soft shapes combined with a color palette that will instantly boost your mood make them an obvious EHD pick.
Farmhouse Pottery: You have probably seen them out in the world and loved them just as much as us. They are the perfect accent to almost any space because of their neutral color palette and simple shapes.
Bobbie Specker:Â Bobbie was one of the most exciting finds during the Portland Project decor process. Her pieces are modern, graphic and bring insane style to a room as you can tell from ALL the examples in the Portland Project.
Helen Levi: If you are looking for beautiful ceramics that are both organic and colorful then look no further than Helen. She is best known for her dipped marbled design but has some other wonderful collections you should absolutely check out.
LGS Studio:Â Another incredible Portland Project find. Emily loved The Ridge collection but there are a ton of other awesome pieces to check out.
Bzippy & Co.: There are quite a few of us here at EHD that are saving all of our pennies for a Bzippy piece of our own. We are particularly in love with the pieces that incorporate ropes. So freaking unique and special.
Blake Beaudette: You may remember when Blake took our blog by storm when EHD alum designer Mel Burstin introduced his work in her first MOTO as her then boyfriend (now good friend). We love his footed vessels and now he is also working with wood accents and man is it good.
Sarah Nedovic: If you are looking for one of the coolest and most unique lamps out there, look no further than Sarah Nedovic. Now, we have not inquired about pricing but boy would these be a worthwhile investment.
Light & Ladder: Elegant and modern are the first two words that come to mind when we think of these guys and their planters. But their pieces also have a dose of playfulness that makes them basically perfect.
I & You Ceramics:Â Jess stumbled upon this Barcelona-based ceramic company when she was designing her MOTO. She understandably fell hard and purchased one of their pom cups that currently lives in her kitchen. Their pieces are honestly just very cool, especially the large round handle mug.
Oh Hey Grace: Looking for something actually unique?? How about a little ceramic house with a vase? Then you NEED to know Australian artist Grace Brown. She has some of the most awesome ceramic objects we’ve seen in a while. Please enjoy. 🙂
Paola Paronetto: Paola is insanely talented and has made the papier-mâché look the most chic. Here is another artist’s work that will add a lot of texture and visual interest to whatever room is lucky enough to have a piece of her’s in it.
Sin Ceramics: A new ceramic cult favorite. Virginia Sin is another extremely talented ceramicist whose basket-esque looking bowls and candlestick holders have been in the spotlight recently. Still a small maker brand, she is getting bigger and diving into some very special accent tables and lights.
Romina Gris: Yes, her work is incredibly cool. Romina is another Barcelona-based artist on our list, whose work is architectural and effortlessly contemporary. We are particularity in love with her striped series.
Sara Paloma: A VERY happy Etsy find if we do say so ourselves. Sara describes her work as “Iconic Stoneware Pottery” and we agree. It’s beautiful, modern and just rustic enough to pair with any style.
We hope you as inspired and in love with these artists as we are. We also know that the price tags are not exactly “budget” on many if not most of these pieces, but when someone has spent years working on their craft and each piece is handmade with love, it’s is understandable that they come at a price.
Did you like seeing the smaller artists we are into? Would you like to see more in other mediums (furniture makers, lighting design, woodworkers)? Let us know how you are feelin’ about it. xx
Loved this post and the click-thru option to see additional works from each artist.
Given the prices of some of those spotlighted (oh my!), I may instead have to register for a few pottery classes and see what I can turn out. Or get a second job just to cover my purchases.
P.S. Still trying to imagine trying to use the handle on that most interesting long-handled mug. Hmm.
Thank you for this! Would love to see a similar post for 2D artists.
Oh, these are gorgeous!
These are great, thank you! You should take a look at https://www.francespalmerpottery.com/ she has some wonderfully organic looking vases.
First off, really, REALLY loved the click through format. But the prices! Its not even that I cannot afford them, its just the thought of spending $40 on a coffee mug that doesn’t sit right with me. I loved all the ceramics in this post, but it is all aspirational. Can we have a post similar to this but with stores that aren’t this expensive? Because if these roundups are all going to be in the sky-high end range, then I don’t see a point in reading the articles. Thanks!
These are all small, artisanal makers… I don’t think people should be expecting them to charge Target prices. Some of these items are clearly super expensive but $40 definitely isn’t a sky-high or unreasonable price for a handmade mug. One of my favourite potters talked about this on her blog last year: https://karaleighfordceramics.com/shed-diaries/2018/11/25/lyx8lp1ipvu5vyhl883m9t54nj6g2f
I have to agree. As gorgeous as these pieces are, the pricing is aspirational. Plus, I simply wouldn’t pay $40 for a mug or $500 for a ceramic bell. It’s not about expecting Target prices, but what is reasonable given the nature of the piece. I’m an artist myself, but the common sense side of my brain would stop me from making such purchases. “Sky-high” is obviously a relative term, but there has been a significant shift with regard to cost-of-goods here on EHD.
I think it’s nice to see these, even though they are out of my price range. i can appreciate all the hard work that goes into making these, so i understand the prices. even though they’re not in my budget, it gives me good ideas when thrifting. I’ve found cool ceramics like these from estate sales for a fraction of these prices. so, if you look thru and find you like some of these, you can make an effort to hit up some thrift stores, estates sales, or garage sales and keep an eye out for some cool ceramics. second hand/vintage is a good way to get high-end things at low prices.
Just did that today after looking at this blog (I didn’t read it).
Just did this today after looking (not reading) this post.
FYI: those prévu / next click images… don’t work well on iPhones.
I’m starting to skip directly to the price of items on the blog before I even start reading… I don’t want to be all enthusiastic for something that’s out of range… like the 6000-8000$ bed linked in Monday’s post.
It’s good to promote artists. But I would guess that most of your reader won’t even think to buy a 500$ ceramic bell. Good for you if you can, but it’s aspirational. Would be very good if you could also recommend more reasonable priced alternatives when doing these kind of posts.
Maybe because I don’t have a good imagination… I’m not the kind of girl who goes thrifting trying to find something that would kinda look like these that I could afford. I prefer to be directed to something more staightforward. Oh well, better luck tomorrow.
Spending 40 for a mug usually means the artist gets 20. If its handmade and the artist tries to make every one unique there are seconds. Artists making handmade ceramics deserve a decent wage like everyone else. You pay for what you get. I don’t do mugs because they are labor intensive and it has to be perfectly functional. That’a not easy. Focusing on the higher priced work gives an artist more freedom of expression and a chance at bigger venues like museums. If you are interested in large plates, tile and sculpture look at: douglaskenneyceramics.com
This is a gorgeous post! One comment – I settle into your blog for a relaxing read, and it’s fairly annoying to have to click a million times throughout the post to see the ceramics options. I much prefer your older style of laying out the photos in grids and then linking to each option below the grid – it’s easier to read in one sitting.
Yes, Yes, YES!!! Love discovering & supporting new artists. This post was fantastic!
Hi! I liked the format AND I loved the selection (high price point notwithstanding). Perhaps it would sit better with folks if they thought about it like buying original art? You can get a mug anywhere, for any price up to and including free–but these are actually small sculptures that you may or may not use. The prices didn’t seem wildly out of line to me compared with other forms of original art. Thanks for the roundup!
I 1,000,000% agree -Beautiful. Functional. ART… I may not be able to afford most of these pieces but! I sure am inspired by the work of the artists featured here (and would also looove to someday take a pottery class and enjoy the pleasure of ‘creating’ myself). Thanks for doing alllll the work for us EHD team : )
Totally agree!
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing these.
You missed two of my favorites, though. KriKri Studios makes gorgeous organic vases and lamps in a rainbow of colors. DUMAIS MADE’s lamps are strong, often angular Forman in more neutral colors. You should check them out!
Love ceramics as art! I really love http://www.elementclaystudio.com her organic approach is beautiful.
Wow, these are all wonderful. Thanks!
You missed Pigeon Toe Ceramics!
Oh shoot! I love Pigeon Toe!
Nice! Thank you!
I have COVETED the bells that Emily has for forever!… to have 3 of the MQuan bells would be a dream! Although I know they’re art and exquisite, the prices are just too high for me. If you’re ever looking to get rid of them (Ha!), they’d have a happy home with me. 🙂 Great post!
HI Tammy, follow my insta sale page where I periodically do runs of 2nds and one offs….thank you!
Thank you! I just followed! Had no idea this was even a thing but now I’m so excited!!! Your work is amazing! Hope to snag something soon. xo
Checkout Southern Star Studio in Athens, GA. Beautiful and functional pottery.
Loved this post. Thanks for highlighting these artists! And yes, I do think of them as more art (and most of them with function, which is one of perks of ceramic art). 🙂 I do prefer where your 6 picks are all “laid” out myself as well! Yes please highlight the smaller lighting and furniture makers too!
So wonderful to see you spotlight all these artists. I love seeing the range of work, from practical mugs to fanciful accents, and how they often share silhouettes and finishes. Great job.
Lovely post! You selected a beautiful and interesting collection of ceramic art at various prices and presented them in a great format. I loved being able to see a nice-sized image of each piece and its price at the same time.
Thanks for letting me enjoy this eye candy with my morning coffee – even if I’m lacking a collection of artist-made mugs!
Love those moon vases! Whenever I go to festivals or trade shows I always gravitate towards the ceramics as well. So much love goes into them!
Check out Rutkowsky pottery, 40 years of handthrown functional pottery reduction fired to bring out the warm natural colors.
Cracking up. Was literally searching the blog for this on Sunday- looking for a wedding gift!
Love this roundup, and I love thinking about pottery as investing in a piece of 3D art. I’m personally a fan of Chloe May Brown’s work (http://www.chloemaybrown.com/), especially her use of simple patterns to make everyday household items bright and graphic. I will now start following some of the artists in this post!
These are all so beautiful! I need to check these shops out!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Small correction – Heath is a Sausalito-based company (not SF). We are really proud of it. If you are ever in town make sure to do a visit of their factory and stock up on reduced-price seconds.
Love ceramic art! Really love the extra large jug war vase but when I clicked on it the price was almost double..?
Love this local Austin artist, super talented! Eliana Bernard, made by Eliana https://www.elianabernard.com/
She makes One-of-a-kind marbled porcelain dinnerware for the home.
Have to give a plug here for another wonderful, Portland (OR) ceramicist, Kati Von Lehman. https://www.kati-vonlehman.com/
Her work is beautiful and, if you’re local, you can sometimes get seconds and older pieces for a bit less when she has an annual sale.
Great post! I’ll add another artist – Akira Satake.
I love the kohiki mugs, but if I win the lottery then maybe one of his sculptural vases (used in ikebana, the centuries-old floral art form of Japan)
https://akirasatake.com/home/
I’d rather have one perfect mug than 12 “eh” ones. Ceramics is time- and energy-intensive. To do it well, an artist (or small production facility) can’t charge less than $40. Calling out the prices seems a bit rude- The artists are designing and creating their own works, not ripping off others’ designs to have manufactured over seas. The reason a lot of original design isn’t “affordable” is because it requires expertise, quality materials and creativity. You’re passing for someone’s time and lifetime of experimentation. There are things at every price point for everybody, but you can’t make things “cheap” without mass manufacturing.
I think I just found my new favorite Ceramicist. Sara Paloma’s volcanic glazes had my heart palpitating. I’ll definitely be saving up for one of hers. Guess I’ll have to settle for following on Instagram for now. Thank you!
I do agree that I’d love to see a post like this with 2D works.
Love this article! I’ve been wanting to invest in some pottery ever since I fell in love with the MQuan bells in Emily’s old living room. Thank you for highlighting some additional artists!
Do you know about Sarapalomapottery she is in the bay area
I have a lot of handmade ceramics but almost all of it has been purchased locally to me at various arts & craft shows. While I like the looks of a lot of the stuff in this post, I will stick to buying most of my ceramics locally (and for far far cheaper).
Oh, how I ADORE pottery! I once cleaned house for a lady who had collected various handmade plates, bowls, and mugs; doing her dishes was a mini-art show and it inspired me to someday start a collection of my own. It’s taken 10 years and lots of thrifting as my budget is TIGHT but I now have a bunch of bowls cereal/mixing/colanders and a bunch of coffee mugs. I absolutely adore my ‘practical’ art. I’ve also begun collecting hand blown glass ware for every day drinking. It’s sorta fun having guests over and they’ll ask if it’s really ok to use these dishes. I love not letting them be so precious that they never get used and have begun learning how to mend things that get broken (Japanese mending, both kintsugi & sashiko fascinate me).
I love ceramics — and especially how you have those pieces hung on the wall. Do you have a source for the hangers or are they DIY? I have two pieces now that would look great hung like that. Thanks!
Great roundup! There are a good amount of comments saying that the price is too high/aspirational/whywouldIpay40foramug and as a ceramic student, I was hoping to shed some light! Totally agree that the price seems high but when you factor in the below, it definitely explains things. 1) Price for materials – clay, glaze, tools. Clay is typically purchased in 25 pound bags and prices range depending on what clay body is used. Stoneware is generally cheaper, with porcelain running the most expensive. A mug can range from 1-2 pounds, but then when you get to bowls/planters, the lbs start increasing *significantly*. 2) Throwing/handbuilding – significant time/energy is spend into hand making each and every piece. Not to mention, the energy into each design. 3) Once a piece is thrown, it needs to dry enough so that it’s workable. Once it’s dry enough, it is trimmed which gives it a more finished appearance. Here is where some surface design can also come into play. Then it’s dried to be bone dry. Depending on the size of the piece, this takes some time. Plates or other items with flat surfaces need to be dried slowwwwwwly or they will warp/crack. Think around 1-2… Read more »
Check out http://www.sarahheitmeyerceramics.com
Nothing Vintage?
Loved the pieces, but the prices…sheesh. Maybe because of a lower price point, but I thought I might see http://www.theobjectenthusiast.com . I follow on Instagram. Smaller pieces, but beautiful.
Ohhhh these are all so fantastic! There’s something about ceramics that add a peaceful interest to a space. I have an antique ceramic piece that is more than 1000 years old. I just imagine the potter that made it and the legacy it represents. Yeah for potters!
Oh my these are absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been taking pottery classes for over a year and I now finally understand the expense. It takes years to gain the skill level enough to make a basic shape, let alone the art that you have posted here. Plus studio space, a kiln, glaze and clay make it an expensive art form.
These are beautiful! I have a friend that makes awesome pottery too – https://www.jvpwares.com/