Winter, that is?

 

It sure seems like it. The daffodils think so, and so do the tiny yarrow sprouts, the pussywillow, the birds—even our honeybees. And after a season of quiet work in the studio, I'm ready to come out of hibernation, too.

 

Winter is always a time for behind-the-scenes work - both in the studio and in thought. This year, that work has been bigger than ever. Things may have been quiet on the outside, but I’ve been busy planning, building, and setting the stage for an exciting year ahead.

 

Here’s a look at what’s been happening in the world of Everyday Earthe:

Alongside the one-of-a-kind, limited-edition pottery released at our local events, a goal of mine has always been to offer a curated collection of artistic, functional pieces available year-round - a core collection that forms the base for you to put your unique twist on by mixing, matching, and collecting over time.

 

This Everyday Collection is designed to be timeless - pieces that coordinate effortlessly, mix and match with ease, and feel like a natural part of any home. Think of these designs like a classic white T-shirt and jeans, or a little black dress - a foundation that makes room for personal style.

 

Over the next few weeks, at least 10 new pieces will be added to the made-to-order collection - new thumb cup sizes, coffee mugs, and kitchen pottery items like spoon rests and sponge keepers. When you purchase one of our made-to-order items, we make that piece just for you and ship it when ready. Making pottery is definitely not a fast process - it takes roughly four weeks from start to finish - but I hope it's worth the wait! More variety and new additions will continue to roll out as the year unfolds.

Big moves are happening this year to expand our production capacity. Not one, but TWO large kilns are being added to eliminate the bottleneck that’s been a huge limiting factor to how many pieces we can make. New equipment is also on the way, designed to help make dinnerware—plates, bowls, platters—more consistently, at a higher quality, and a little faster.

 

There are also new glazes in the works. For years, I’ve used tried-and-true formulas passed down among potters. But ceramic glazes rely on natural materials, and over time, those materials shift—sometimes disappearing entirely due to changes in mining and industry. That became painfully clear last holiday season when my trusty white glaze stopped working.

 

Something had changed, but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. After weeks of troubleshooting, I realized that I could no longer rely on those old formulas. 

I decided to create my own new formulas from scratch. This means having even more control over durability, finish, and food safety—plus the exciting possibility of new colors and effects. It’s a slow, experimental process full of trial and error, but the results will be well worth it. 

There’s a new helper in the studio! Some of you may have met Harry at December’s Open Studio, but if not, here’s a proper introduction. Harry is a senior at Middletown High School, a talented young artist, and an essential part of the studio these days. Every afternoon, he jumps in to help with everything from unloading the kiln to washing buckets to wedging clay.

 

Having him here has been a full-circle moment. Back in high school, I had a similar internship with a local potter, and it helped set me on this path. Now, Harry is working in my studio before heading off to MICA this fall to study art. It’s been an absolute joy having him here, and there’s no doubt he’s going to do incredible things.

The Hagerstown Flower & Garden Show is celebrating its 29th year, and this will be the first time in a long time that Everyday Earthe won’t be there.

 

This event has been a tradition - it was one of our first big shows, and it’s always been the perfect way to mix two great loves: pottery and plants. But after a bustling holiday season, orders coming in for made-to-order pottery on our website and Etsy never really slowed down (something to be incredibly grateful for!). With most of the space in each kiln filled with pieces that are already sold, there simply wasn’t enough space to build up the inventory needed to fill our booth at the show.

 

The silver lining is that this shift is part of something bigger. The focus this year is on increasing production capacity to make our pottery more consistently available.

 

There will still be plenty of in-person shopping opportunities this year - I'll share more on that in the next update!

That’s a little glimpse into what’s been happening behind the scenes in the studio. There's more, but we’ll save that for Part 2.

 

Everyday Earthe is growing in ways that feel incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to share more with you. Even though it’s been a quiet winter, the work has been happening - not just making pottery and filling orders, but planning, building, and setting the stage for a year of transformation. 

 

In the next update I’ll share details about the Open Studio schedule and a few new ways to shop in person…which may or may not involve plans for a self-serve pottery stand.

 

 

As always, thank you for being here. Every order, every email, every visit - your support is what makes this all possible. There’s so much more to look forward to - thank you for coming along for the ride!