Announcement
I try to give my work a sense of character and personality. I spend a lot of time outside and the forms and textures of nature find their way into my work. This is a full-time job for me. I exhibit nationally and sell my work through galleries and the occasional art fair, in addition to this online shop. I throw everything I make on the wheel, except for some trays and similar things that I hand build. All of my glazes are food-safe and lead-free.
For more about me and my work, check out my website (www.jakesclayart.com) or stop to say hello at Jake's Clay Art on Facebook.
Thanks for your interest.
Jake Johnson
Announcement
I try to give my work a sense of character and personality. I spend a lot of time outside and the forms and textures of nature find their way into my work. This is a full-time job for me. I exhibit nationally and sell my work through galleries and the occasional art fair, in addition to this online shop. I throw everything I make on the wheel, except for some trays and similar things that I hand build. All of my glazes are food-safe and lead-free.
For more about me and my work, check out my website (www.jakesclayart.com) or stop to say hello at Jake's Clay Art on Facebook.
Thanks for your interest.
Jake Johnson
Items

All Items
Reviews
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MeltingSand on Jul 10, 2020
5 out of 5 starsI had been coveting this piece for quite some time before finally purchasing, and I'm so glad I did. Such a beautiful, beautiful piece of functional art!!! It makes me happy every time I look at it. The colander was packed with meticulously care and arrived in perfect condition. Thank you for sharing your talent Jake!
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Leah on Apr 8, 2017
5 out of 5 starsJake made me a custom mug and it is beautiful the handle feels great and fits the size! It shipped quickly and came as requested. Thank you Jake!
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Marie on Apr 8, 2016
5 out of 5 starsI loved the bud vase, and more importantly, my daughter, who is very particular, received it for her Birthday, and she loved it also. Definitely 5 stars. Very fast shipping.
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Robin on Apr 3, 2016
5 out of 5 starsThis mug is delightful! I love the vibrant colors and unique shape. Excellent customer service and very fast shipping :)
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Diana on Jan 19, 2016
5 out of 5 starsIt is whimsical and yet understated. I collect teapots and this is a great added addition to what I already have.
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johnhorsfield on Aug 20, 2015
5 out of 5 starsDistinctive design/glaze, a unique look - shipped promptly and packed securely.
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kifcalliope on May 10, 2015
5 out of 5 starsgorgeous lil' pot. glaze is lovely. sadly, spoon broke in transit (despite being well wrapped) and he offered me a replacement spoon or a credit. great customer service. great transaction from start to finish. 2 thumbs up.
About jakesclayart
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An example of before-and-after a gas reduction firing, which is how I fire most often. Left is before. Right is after.
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One of my favorite teapots. Reduction-fired shino. This one was on the cover of a Potters Council 2012 Calendar.
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A set that was part of Strictly Functional Pottery National 2011 and appeared in Clay Times magazine.
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Teapots drying. These were assembled from wheel-thrown parts.
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A salt-fired set of salt and pepper shakers. Made from light and dark stoneware.
Handmade Ceramics
I've been actively selling on etsy for about four years now, and I also participate in art fairs and sell my work through galleries all over the US. I came to Richmond VA from central
PA, where I went to grad school. I'm originally from Peoria, Illinois and have been here since 2005. This has been a great place to live as a potter. There are a number of really talented potters in the area, some of whom are good friends that I fire with and sometimes collaborate with on pieces. I love making pots for a living.
The first time I made something years ago, something clicked for me. The act of making something from relatively nothing made it seem that there was something special about me. It was unlike any work I'd done before—much more meaningful somehow. I was hooked. I began to take art classes in college to see what else I could do. Through exposure to various artists, I learned that there were some who made a living making their craft. Once it occurred to me that this possibility existed, I was convinced that it was what I wanted for myself.
I think I was drawn to clay because of its working properties; Clay is a very squishy, soft, malleable material. These are qualities which I fully embrace and exploit in making my pieces. By giving my work just some of the basic qualities of life--a sense of movement, growth, and breath—the pieces develop presence and take on unique personalities and trajectories. I strive to give a feeling of animation to my work that suggests gesture. This speaks to the inspiration for many of my forms and surfaces, which is drawn from nature. Spending the past several years in central Pennsylvania has been wonderful in this regard; I spend a lot of time in the woods, hiking, looking for mushrooms, and finding plenty of other things along the way. The variety and diversity of life that I encounter finds its way into my work.
For me, working for myself and making things with my hands makes me feel more grounded and perhaps more human. My work is not rooted in a particular tradition or style, but rather a tempo or mood that I think comes from some combination of my personality and my interest in nature and biology. I try to make works that engage users visually and tactfully, while also fulfilling a purpose for the user. While I've gone through many styles and types of work, I think that feeling of animation and energy has remained constant, and it is this which I view as the defining characteristic of what I produce.
Shop members
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Jake Johnson
Owner, Maker
I make everything for sale in this shop by hand, usually on the wheel, here in Potters Mills, PA, USA. I use stoneware and porcelain and fire in gas, salt, and sometimes wood kilns. I've been making pots for about a decade now.
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Jana
Apron Maker
Jana is Jake's wonderful mother-in-law. She is the designer and sewer of the Artists Work Apron sold in this shop. She also has her own shop at designsbyjaydee. She's loves to sew and has high standards for her finished work.
Shop policies
Please keep in mind that colors appear slightly differently on different computer screens. I've described the colors as best I can.
Accepted payment methods
Returns and exchanges
-If you change your mind upon receiving the item, contact me within 7 days of receiving the item and a refund will be given after you've sent the item back to me. Buyer is responsible for return shipping, insurance, and packing the item securely.
When you purchase anything from Jake’s Clay Art, you agree to hold seller harmless from any loss, injury or damage due to any products purchased from us. Our maximum liability to you is the amount you paid for the item(s) purchased. All items offered for sale on this site are provided "as is" and without a warranty, whether express or implied. Right to update these policies at any time is reserved.