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Bethany Sheesley | Episode 589
Bethany Sheesley is a ceramic artist, brand designer, and studio owner with a BFA from the University of Iowa. Bethany has spent the last decade fully immersed in design and ceramics. Three years ago, Bethany realized a dream of hers by creating a new pottery studio in Phoenix, AZ, where she lives and works with other artists. Bethany’s ceramic work is an ever-evolving exploration, inspired by nature, design, and a variety of artistic mediums.
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What is your favorite glaze?
I would say my favorite glaze is blue rutile. It is kind of an oldie but a goodie. A lot of people have trouble with it but you just got to make sure you use enough. I would say that is my favorite.
What is your favorite tool?
My favorite tool is the super basic wooden tool. Have you seen those? It is like a wooden dowel with a pointy end and like a Phillips end. It is a little wooden stick and it’s called Basic Tool.
What is your favorite piece to make?
My favorite piece to make is lidded pots. I love making a super tight fitting lid.
What is your favorite clay body to work with?
I would have to say Frost porcelain. Frost porcelain is a highly translucent porcelain made by Laguna. You can see some of the pieces I have done recently on Instagram wear I have light coming through. It is so translucent it almost looks like glass. It is a little bit finicky and a lot of people curse it because cracking can be an issue but it is fantastic to throw and I love the results.
What is your favorite respond that people have had to your work?
That’s kind of hard. I guess the negative responses are my favorite because I think they are funny. They make me laugh. Some people have…they are very brave when they are online. They probably wouldn’t say these things to your face but honestly those are the ones I get the biggest kick out of, the people that tell me what I am doing wrong or say, That is never going to work.
What is your favorite time of day to be working in the studio?
I would say my favorite time of day to be working in the studio would be the afternoon. I would like to sit inside and have my coffee and hang out with my pets and all that kind of stuff in the morning. So I usually end up rolling out to the studio sometime in the afternoon.
My last question for you is: When you is your favorite season for Phoenix, Arizona?
Fall. Fall is my favorite. Absolutely. The weather is fantastic. It is also really good in the spring but a little less predictable. I kind of like getting a little bit of a change of the seasons but we don’t get out fall leaves until January.
Book
The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
Contact
Etsy: bethanysheesleyart
Instagram: @bethanysheesleypottery