“The vessel carries not only what it contains, but the touch of the maker.”
Hi, I’m Summer
Hi, I’m Summer
My journey with clay began at the age of 14, and it has been my companion ever since.
I’ve always believed that art isn’t just something we admire from a distance, but something to experience in the rhythm of everyday life.
My work is created with the intention of slowing down the pace of living. I offer pieces that encourage us to pause, notice, and appreciate the beauty in our surroundings. Each form is functional, yet designed with traditional and classic craft motifs that carry the warmth of heirlooms—objects that feel as though they’ve been lovingly passed down through generations.
Through clay, I hope to create more than vessels or tableware. I hope to create small anchors of connection—reminders that the simplest routines can be filled with presence, meaning, and beauty.
My Process
In my work, I predominantly work with Georgie’s Ceramics clay. They are a local company based in Portland and all of their clays are mixed there. I currently purchase my clay from a local distributor who works with the Portland based company. I enjoy knowing that I keep my money local, supporting local businesses and families.
I use a white clay at this point in my career due to many factors. Once, a red clay only potter, I worked tirelessly to combine the warmth of the red clay with the clean canvas of a white slip. The two together created a lovely surface for design but, due to several factors, one of which a dwindling material supply, I chose to return to white clay.
In my practice, I predominantly work with Georgie’s Ceramics clay. They are a local company based in Portland and all of their clays are mixed there. I currently purchase my clay from a local distributor who works with the Portland based company. I enjoy knowing that I keep my money local, supporting local businesses and families.
I use a white clay at this point in my career due to many factors. Once, a red clay only potter, I worked tirelessly to combine the warmth of the red clay with the clean canvas of a white slip. The two together created a lovely surface for design but, due to several factors, one of which a dwindling material supply, I chose to return to white clay.
I throw and handbuild with Georgie's White Salmon clay body. This clay is a lovely, buttery, porcelain like clay. It gives a perfect canvas for my designs while still maintaining a warmth in the off white color of the clay.
Nearly all of the glazes that I use are made from scratch. I have gone between commercial and scratch glazes for many years and recently have found that I get the effects I need at a cost that is sustainable when I mix my own glazes.
The colorants that I use are a mix of raw materials and commercial underglazes. I love the warmth of cobalt, sienna and burnt orange.
The images I choose to use in my designs are all imagined from research and image studies on historic and meaningful craft designs that keep us all interconnected. No matter where we live and whether or not we even notice it, our lives have been impacted by lines, colors and images.
I throw and handbuild with Georgie's White Salmon clay body. This clay is a lovely, buttery, porcelain like clay. It gives a perfect canvas for my designs while still maintaining a warmth in the off white color of the clay.
Nearly all of the glazes that I use are made from scratch. I have gone between commercial and scratch glazes for many years and recently have found that I get the effects I need at a cost that is sustainable when I mix my own glazes.
The colorants that I use are a mix of raw materials and commercial underglazes. I love the warmth of cobalt, sienna and burnt orange.
The images I choose to use in my designs are all imagined from research and image studies on historic and meaningful craft designs that keep us all interconnected. No matter where we live and whether or not we even notice it, our lives have been impacted by lines, colors and images.
