whitneysmith
Oakland, California ·
whitneysmith
functional handmade ceramics and home decorOakland, California 3278 Sales On Etsy since 2007
Announcement Welcome to Whitney Smith Pottery, creator of beautifully functional handmade ceramics, heirloom-quality bowls, plates, vases, pitchers, sugar bowls, dinnerware, and pottery for home décor. My ceramic ware is completely handmade in my California-based pottery studio, designed and crafted to bring exquisite, modern home accessories into your everyday life.
Announcement
Welcome to Whitney Smith Pottery, creator of beautifully functional handmade ceramics, heirloom-quality bowls, plates, vases, pitchers, sugar bowls, dinnerware, and pottery for home décor. My ceramic ware is completely handmade in my California-based pottery studio, designed and crafted to bring exquisite, modern home accessories into your everyday life.
Reviews
Sophie Hahn on May 21, 2018
These are the most beautiful bowls ever. Like an artichoke or cactus when stacked. Yet totally use-able.
rocketspace on Feb 24, 2018
As always-- perfectly packed and delivered and the quality is excellent!
rocketspace on Feb 24, 2018
As always-- perfectly packed and delivered and the quality is excellent!
Updates
About
Finding art through nature
Clay came into my life thanks to a couple of guys I dated in my late teens and early 20's. They were clay dudes, and I was a painter chick. I was primarily interested in painting and drawing since I was a kid, and saw painting as my path to the art career that I wanted for myself. But when taking my first clay throwing class in 1994 after encouragement from the clay dudes, I was completely hooked. It was not unlike any addiction one may have. I completely forgot about painting and I thought about clay constantly. I was obsessed with getting on the wheel as much as possible, and used all of my spare time to make pots.
Meanwhile, I was finishing my degree in Anthropology at the University of California in Santa Cruz. People often assume I went to art school, but I did not. I was never interested in art school. I could not think of a more horrible way to spend time than being forced to make art for grades. I pursued Anthropology simply for the love of it and to get that BA, and dreamed of the pottery business I wanted to have.
After graduating in 1996, I was working as an pottery assistant while trying to get better and better at making my own pieces. By 2000, I was ready to be self-employed. I started spending my days in the studio and selling my work full-time. I explored every outlet possible to get my work out of my studio and into people's homes: crappy street fairs filled with drunks, stores and galleries, open studios, and then later a website and other online venues.
Years later, I'm still in my same little storefront studio, but lots of things have changed. I have steady work and clients all over the world, so no more hustling at street fairs or wholesale shows. My more popular items are now produced from molds to keep up with demand, and most of my one-of-a-kind work goes straight from the kiln to client homes. I even have a line that is made overseas and sold through major retail outlets. Etsy has helped me reach a new level of outreach, and every day I feel that benefit.
My work has always been influenced by nature. I am someone who is happiest when I'm out in the woods or laying next to the ocean, drinking in the beauty of the natural world. With my ceramic work I'm always trying to accomplish what nature does so easily: make something that is beautiful, useful, and functional. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy making it for you.
Shop members
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Whitney Smith
Owner, Maker, Designer
Whitney Smith has been working in ceramics since her first clay throwing class in 1994. She is an internationally recognized artist, known for her organic forms and nature-inspired collections.
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Beatrice
Studio Cat
Beatrice likes to put in a full nap day at the studio. Her claim to fame is that she can jump and walk around ceramics all day and not break anything.
Production partners
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Earthneeds
Red Bluff, CA
Earthneeds is a third generation ceramic production facility dedicated to small scale manufacturing for ceramic artists and designers.
Shop policies
I am in my studio making pottery full-time. If you wish to purchase a sold item, you may place an order by email or convo and I will create a reserve listing for you. Yes, it's that easy!
Most items are available in different colors and sizes, so do not hesitate to make a special request. It's no big deal, I make stuff all day long.
Custom orders and requests are always welcome. I like making new things and I get great ideas from my clients.
To see more of my work or check on pricing, please go to my website:
whitneysmithpottery.com
Read my fabulous etsy featured seller interview!
http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php?featured_user_id=5189972
to subscribe to my email list so you will receive periodic updates and announcements of special sales, please go to http://whitneysmithpottery.com/subscribe.html
Can't get enough of me? Then read my blog "This Artist's Life":
http://whitneys-pottery.blogspot.com/
Accepted payment methods
- Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
Returns and exchanges
If an item arrives damaged, please let me know immediately. An image of the damage is also appreciated for the purpose of insurance claims.
Please contact me before shipping any item back so that I can get the details of your return and provide you with the proper return shipping address. Please do not ship anything back to me without alerting me first, I'm often traveling and unable to receive packages.
It is my goal to provide you with a positive shopping experience and a handmade item that you love and cherish. If I fall short in this please contact me directly so I can find a solution to the problem.
Payment
Cancellations will receive a full refund if received within 24 hours.
Shipping
I ship FedEx Ground or USPS Priority to all domestic addresses. All orders are carefully packaged and insured, however I am not responsible for theft or damage to packages once delivered. If you do not want FedEx or USPS to leave a package at your door, you must contact me to alert FedEx that a signature is required for delivery.
International shipping is sent via International Priority USPS, and will take 6-10 business days in transit. Please note that international orders can be charged import tax, for which the buyer is responsible.