Botanical Set by Natalie Blake

Natalie Blake’s ceramic pieces employ the use of otherworldly color and design on familiar forms. She is influenced by the sea and the ancient tradition of telling stories via the vessel form, often incorporating hand-rolled sea urchins and anemones into her designs. "I love the versatility of clay and the endless possibilities that present themselves daily in my studio," Blake says. "The more I discover clay as the landscape of my creativity, the more insatiable the journey becomes."

Each vessel is thrown in porcelain clay; texture is carved with a metal tool. Blake then rubs the relief details free of the glaze she’s applied so that the porcelain clay is exposed. Finally, the pieces are fired to 2,300 degrees, which gives them an antiqued appearance.

Ed Byers

It must be something about the cooler weather and the autumn leaves. Everyone seems to be talking about ceramics. From wheel thrown porcelain bowls to hand-built sculpture. Sgraffito carving, slip casting, raku, wood firing…. it all has a warmth to it that keeps us cozy as the days get cooler. The mug I drink my tea from and the bowl I use for my soup – both carefully made by the hands of a ceramics artist.

And to keep that conversation going, I’ve added interviews with two ceramics artists to the website. Get a little behind the scenes look at Ed Byers, whose hand-built sculptures each have their own story, and Heather Van Horn and Eric Hendrick; who create art, write poetry, and spend time with children.

And to help you bring the joy of ceramics into your home, take 10% off every ceramic work of art at Artful Home by using the code CERAMICS9 at check out.