June in the studio

June: stretching into longer days...

When the light lingers in the evening, I tend to get into the kind of projects that only seem to happen when there’s daylight to spare. After I wrap up in the studio for the day, it still feels like there's plenty of time to wander around the property seeing what the critters are doing, or start one of my aspirational “curiosity projects” as I call them.

This month that’s meant having fun with new kitchen experiments (sourdough english muffins and homemade cottage cheese!), making soap for the first time (surprisingly fun and makes me feel like I now have a superpower), and propagating some of my favorite plants from around the property using a method called air-layering (which I just learned about and am trying for the first time). It’s reminded me that creativity doesn’t always have to be dramatic or urgent or obvious - sometimes it shows up by allowing ourselves to follow our curiosity just because.

On repetition, rhythm, and surprise in the studio

In the studio itself, my days have been full of repetition, making and shipping my made-to-order pieces to collectors from around the globe. I absolutely love it. Making the same shapes again and again gives me a chance to go deeper into the forms I make: the curves, the weight, the balance, the subtle improvements I can feel with my hands.

It’s a part of the process that might seem boring from the outside, but I find it deeply engaging and a sure path to reach that elusive flow state. There’s a clarity that comes from knowing what I’m aiming for - and because I work with marbled clay so often, each piece still holds an element of surprise. The swirl of color and pattern is never the same twice, and I love looking at a freshly made piece to see what pattern the wheel and the clay have chosen to contribute to the piece. That combination of precision and unpredictability keeps the work alive for me, no matter how many times I repeat a shape.

June Studio Hours

If you’re local and looking to shop in person, the studio will be open on a self-serve basis during the following Saturdays in June:

Saturday June 7, 10am - 4pm
Saturday June 14, 10am - 4pm
Saturday June 21, 10am - 4pm

You’re welcome to stop by any time during open hours. Just walk in, browse, and leave payment at the counter — it’s a casual, honor-system setup that’s been a joy to offer. If none of those dates work for you, please contact me about setting up an appointment.

Shepherdstown Street Fest - Saturday, June 28

I’ll also be at Shepherdstown Street Fest on Saturday, June 28, with a fresh batch of handmade pottery. There will be a few new pieces in the mix, and I’d love to see you if you’re in the area!

A peek at the new pottery stand

Do you remember way back in March when I first mentioned building a self-serve pottery stand out front? If you’ve driven by recently, you might’ve noticed a little structure slowly emerging from the flower bed. That’s the pottery stand I’ve been dreaming up since winter - a self-serve, walk-up spot for anyone passing by to pick up a gift or treat themselves to something handmade. It will be open every day from dawn to dusk - so whether you need a last-minute gift or a small creative pick-me-up, it’ll be there for you.

It’s still in progress, but not for long. I’ll announce an official opening date soon, but here’s a little look at how it’s coming along: