Collection: USA Handmade

Every Paint Your Own Pottery Studio got it's beginning in someone's basement or garage.  Ceramics gained it's popularity through at home hobbyists.  

To create the pieces you see on my shelves they start with a mold, at least two parts and often three that are banded together with rubber bands or straps.

This is a vintage mold by Nowell NM619 Two Vases

Molds are filled with liquid clay (called slip)

The slip is left in the mold for a short time and the plaster begins to wick the water closest to the edges away, the excess slip is then poured out leaving a wall of clay behind and they're left to dry a while longer.

The bands are then removed and the piece is removed from the mold.  It then has to be trimmed, there are always little lines where the pieces of the mold meet.

In some instances there are multiple pieces that have to be joined, arms etc.  Then the piece is sanded and then kiln fired.  When it's removed it's a piece of bisque.  Which is what fills the shelves in my studio.

There are many people that still employ this process and I love to support their efforts to keep the full process alive and providing us a supply of things to paint.  These hand poured pieces are often nostalgic as there used to be many companies that made molds.  The majority of the pieces are from molds created in the 70's, 80's and early 90's If you have a treasured piece lost over time let me know and I may be able to track them down.  I love bringing memories back to life and creating the pieces that your family will remember in years to come.   These pieces mean a lot to me, I respect the history that comes with the molds and the people keeping the art alive.  

The cost to me of these pieces can be 3-4 times the cost of a similarly sized piece that is mass produced as they are made one by one, by hand, so they will carry a higher price tag.  When I'm able  will absorb a portion of this extra cost to support the makers.  

If you are only interested in the bisque and will not need your piece brought back to me to be kiln fired, you may use the code: BISQUEONLY at check out it will take 25% off and includes shipping to your home.  In the instance of extra large items additional shipping may be required.  

For large orders I will ship the most cost effective way possible.