Following Your Passion | Nicola Gillis | Episode 1123

Nicola Gillis | Episode 1123

Brighton, U.K. based ceramicist, Nicola Gillis makes functional tableware. Nicola takes inspiration from the East Asian use of tableware, a specific purpose for each vessel and where pleasure is drawn from individuality. Although there are commonalities, she does not seek to replicate exact size or marks and embraces imperfection. Shadows and light on daily walks throughout the seasons and the beauty found in degraded surfaces and patina also inform her work. Nicola has developed her interest in ceramics over the past 8 years, studying on the full-time Ceramic Development course at Forest Row School of Ceramics in 2019, and beginning to sell her work in during 2020. Initially using the wheel, Nicola developed her practice to include hand-building with slabs, carving, and coils, all of which she finds to be a slower, more thoughtful approach to making.

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A Year In And Going Fulltime | Aaron Raymond | Episode 1121

Aaron Raymond | Episode 1121

Aaron Raymond is a Canadian potter that started his pottery journey in March of 2024. He has learned everything so far from the school of YouTube and by watching videos on Instagram.  Aaron’s work focuses on creating tiled designs on his work using both original designs or recreating tiled flooring from around the world.  Aaron’s interest in handmade pottery began while living in Lisbon, Portugal, for 2 years from 2018 to 2020, and it was the intricate stone designs in the plazas and sidewalks of Lisbon that first transpired the idea of putting these designs onto clay.

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Create Your Own Event or The 5 C’s Of Events | Will Donovan | Episode 1120

Will Donovan | Episode 1120

Will Donovan is the founder of Donovan Pottery, where storytelling and craft collide to create fantasy-inspired ceramics. Passionate about blending history, literature, and art, Will explores how pottery can bring stories to life. Will also runs Mathom House, a brand championing craft, community, and creative storytelling.

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NCECA From Afar | Instagram Guests | Episode 1119

Instagram Guests | Episode 1119

2025 Conference Information and Registration — NCECA

NCECA was in full swing and I wasn’t there. So sad! So i did the next best thing… I attended through Instagram! Then I had the thought, What if I invited people that were posting at NCECA to call me for a short interview? So I tried it and it worked. These brave souls responded to my request and I got to talk to them while they were at NCECA.

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Next Level | Michael Cole | Episode 1118

Michael Cole | Episode 1118

Michael Cole, largely self-taught, has refined advanced techniques through workshops with esteemed artists like Noel Bailey, Steven Hill, Jon Townley, Deb Lecce, Sarah Wells Rolland, Simon Leach, and Jenifer McCurdy. Michael was a member of the 2024 Steven Hill Journey Workshop at Alison Palmer Studio. Michael makes his living as personal assistant to Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz.

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And A Second Book! | Kara Leigh Ford | Episode 1117

Kara Leigh Ford | Episode 1117

Kara Leigh Ford is an English potter and author. In Kara’s first visit with The Potters Cast we enjoyed learning about her journey into ceramics. Then she wrote a book, Pottery for Beginners and Kara came back for a second time to talk about her book. Today on Kara’s third visit with The Potters Cast we talk about her second book, The Essential Pottery Notebook.

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Best Friends Bought A Potters Wheel | Danielle Lane & Lara Irwin | Episode 1116

Danielle Lane & Lara Irwin | Episode 1116

Danielle Lane & Lara Irwin’s Instagram profile says, Two besties throwing like girls. And that explains their relationship perfectly- Danielle and Lara are best friends who make pottery together in Victoria, BC Canada. It all started when Danielle and Lara decided to buy a potters wheel together. Now they are making ceramics together and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

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A Renaissance Potter | Matt Wassenaar | Episode 1115

Matt Wassenaar | Episode 1115

Matt Wassenaar makes pottery all year long and sells it for 7 weekends at his booth in the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. After meeting Warren MacKenzie decades ago Matt took to heart his philosophy – make pottery for function and affordability. In 2001 Matt and his wife bought a booth at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and started selling their work. Selling at the festival has turned into sales of 2,100 pots in 7 weekends.

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Clay As A Hobby In San Francisco | GiAnna Orangio | Episode 1114

GiAnna Orangio | Episode 1114

GiAnna Orangio is a hobby potter based in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Her brand, Evil Eye Pottery is a collection of vases that she creates on the pottery wheel in her home studio. GiAnna shares her ceramic journey and creations on social media (links below).

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Knowing When To Pivot | Anita & Neil Lawrence | Episode 1113

Anita & Neil Lawrence | Episode 1113

Anita & Neil Lawrence met in art school back in the late 80’s and have been carving out a living together ever since. When Anita and Neil first graduated from art school they did various jobs on Vancouver Island in British Colombia to make ends meet. Eventually they bought a production studio, opened a restaurant, and lately a gallery studio.

Anita Lawrenc

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