Details

My Ceramics

In the studio I like to do	Handbuilding, Throwing on the Wheel, Sculpting
Pottery Wheel	Brent CXC
Clay body	Stoneware
Clay Brand	Seattle Pottery Supply Sea-Mix 6, SPS Klamath Yellow. Mid fire cone 5/6.
Kiln Type	Electric Kiln
Kiln Atmosphere	Oxidation Atmosphere
Temperature	Cone 5/6
Glaze	SPS glazes, Mayco glazes, ungerglazes and engobes, and every once in a while i’ll get a little crazy, look up a glaze recipe and mix one up. Weirdly glazing is my least favorite part of the process, but i found i love glaze chemistry. I like knowing how things work, and learning about glaze chemistry has made glazing fun again. i do like the convenience of Amaco and Mayco glazes, but it’s really fun to make an old tried and true glaze like Randy’s Red or Tenmoku Gold.
You can buy my work from	My Etsy PacificNWPottery, my instagram or tiktok pacificnorthwestpottery

About Me

Introduction	My name is Coley, I’m from Belfair, Wa, and I make small batch functional pottery. I’m interested in all things relating to ceramics.
What I Love about Ceramics	Pottery invites me to slow down and be present. There’s something grounding about working with clay — it’s a tactile, meditative process that connects me to the moment. I’m constantly inspired by the transformation that happens in ceramics: from a simple lump of clay to something beautiful, useful, and expressive. It feels like alchemy — each stage revealing surprises, challenges, and discoveries. I also love how pottery embraces imperfection. Each piece tells its own story, and the so-called flaws often become part of its unique character. Clay has taught me to let go of perfection and simply create. Pottery connects people across time, cultures, and everyday moments — and making something by hand that someone else might use or cherish brings a deep sense of purpose. It’s also a space for creative freedom, where I can experiment with shapes, textures, and glazes to express myself in a tangible, meaningful way
How I started with ceramics	I first discovered ceramics in high school, and I’ve been hooked ever since. There’s something about the hands-on process — the feel of the clay, the focus it demands, and the way it transforms through fire — that keeps me coming back. Pottery gives me space to slow down, be creative, and make something real. Each piece is a reflection of that moment in time, and I love how the process is always teaching me something new
What inspires me	I’m inspired by the quiet details in nature — textures, movement, and organic forms. I love how natural shapes can feel both simple and complex at the same time. I’m also drawn to the idea that form can carry meaning — that a vessel or sculpture can say something without words. Whether I’m working with abstract shapes or functional pieces, I try to create with intention and clarity
What I'm working on at the moment	Lately, I’ve been focused on making fermenting crocks — functional pieces that support slow, intentional food practices. I love the idea of creating pottery that not only serves a purpose, but also plays a role in everyday rituals and nourishment. Working on fermenting crocks has deepened my appreciation for form, function, and tradition. These pieces invite a relationship between user and object, and I enjoy thinking about how they’ll be used, handled, and passed down. There’s something meaningful about making a vessel that holds transformation — where food, time, and bacteria all come together. Like the clay itself, fermentation is a slow, living process, and that connection really inspires me.
My Artist Statement	My work is inspired by the quiet details in nature — textures, movement, and organic forms. I’m drawn to the way natural shapes can feel both simple and complex, and I try to reflect that balance in my ceramics. Whether I’m making functional pottery or abstract sculpture, I aim to create pieces that carry a sense of intention, clarity, and quiet presence. I’m especially interested in how form can hold meaning — how a vessel can speak without words. Lately, I’ve been focused on fermenting crocks, which connect utility, tradition, and transformation. I love that clay can be both expressive and useful — that it can live in someone’s home and take part in everyday rituals. Working with clay is a meditative, tactile process that keeps me grounded and curious. It invites me to slow down, embrace imperfection, and stay open to change. Each piece becomes a reflection of that moment in time — a collaboration between my hands, the material, and the fire.
My CV	I’ve shared my work at local farmers markets, where I’ve had the chance to connect directly with people and see how handmade pottery fits into everyday life. These experiences have taught me so much about functionality, presentation, and the quiet joy of making something that others want to use and enjoy. Selling at markets has helped me grow both as a ceramic artist and as a small-scale maker, and I value the community and conversations that come with it.