Hi there, happy Saturday! We got back from Tokyo late Thursday night and even though I scheduled this post before we left, I can be sure we’re all kinds of jet-lagged. The time difference was 13 hours which means we’re basically going to be flip-flopped for a while. You know how they say that the number of days it will take to get over your jet lag is how many hours different it was. Eek. I think I can see some insomnia in my future! 

If there’s one thing I love at home it’s handmade ceramics. We’ve been working on collecting more and more ceramic pieces over the years and honestly they’re all so special to me. With the exception of the Heath bowls we have been collecting them piece by piece ever since we got married. I love that approach because a) it’s more affordable and b) every piece reminds me of a really fun memory. Pottery and ceramics are usually durable, and are often microwave and dishwasher safe. But when you’re buying something, be sure to ask because certain glazes (especially metallic ones) can’t handle one or the other. I love the uniqueness all of my pieces add to the table and how elevated they can make a simple meal or snack feel. If you haven’t started your collection yet I highly recommend it - there are so many ways to jump in.

I tend toward brightly colored ceramics which can actually be hard to find. Many clay artists work in more earth tones, which can be beautiful too, it’s just that bright things are more my style. So, I wanted to share my favorite ceramicists, many of which are made up of beautiful little bright pieces. 

1. Barking Spider Pottery - my love and my husband’s love for ceramics started here. These are my in-laws! They’ve been throwing pots for many years now and they make every day, functional pottery. We have a set of dinner plates in the white with blue leaves pattern and use them almost every day. 

2. R. Wood  Studio - This is a potter in Athens Georgia who makes beautiful, bright pieces for everyday use. I really want something of hers but I haven’t decided what yet because she has so many insanely beautiful color options I can’t make up my mind. I’d love a set of her tiny saucers which would make lovely bread plates or a serving dish. She also does great limited edition pieces and I particularly love her current collaboration. 

3. Knotwork LA - Linda makes really lovely and interesting pieces. How she incorporates color and pattern is so unique. I have these tumblers and they’re just as cool as they look online. 

4. Takeawei - This Australian based pottery studio is known for their colors. They have pretty pastels and some bright poppy colors too and I love them all. I got this vase to use as our utensil jar in the new kitchen and it’s GORGEOUS. It makes the perfect statement and I love that it’s on the counter all the time because it means I always get to see it. I also got this cup.

5. Jenny Lou Sherborne - She makes the most beautiful colorful, patterned, textured pottery. A lot of her pieces are sculptural, but she also sells functional pottery. I have 6 of her dessert plates, a pretty little spoon rest, and a small serving bowl. She doesn’t sell much online - but if you’re local you can try and catch her at a craft fair or potters market.  

6. Heath Ceramics - They are a California classic. Started in Sausalito in the 70s their work has a very danish modern feel. Everything is very functional and classic. We have these bowls in sand and they’re truly the best every day bowls there are. They’re the perfect shape and size - I use multiples every day. We also have one of these (in mist linen), one of these (in wildflower gossamer), a couple mugs (in slate indigo and sand), and a couple of these (in aqua) which we use with our Nespresso (perfect for double shots).

7. East Fork - This is like Heath’s younger East Coast cousin. You can see how similar the form of the two are, but they’ve still got their own twist on things. And they’re the hometown hero, based right here in Asheville. I’m still deciding what piece(s) I want to add to our collection, but have gotten many gifts here. My personal favorite is this bowl for a housewarming or hostess gift. It’s the perfect size for so many things (side dish of veggies, salad for one, chips when you have friends over, the list could go on and on!). 

Bonus: I haven’t gotten anything from these studios but I’ve had my eye on these pieces for their color. Anything in ametrie from Luvhaus. The forest mug by Helen Levi Ceramics.  All the sprinkles of O-M Ceramic.