The Vessel of Stories: A 2025 Reflection
There’s nothing quite like playing Tetris with a new piece of equipment in a "crammed studio of love and creation." If you’ve seen snippets of my workspace, you know it’s not a sprawling, minimalist warehouse. It’s a cozy, creative sanctuary where every square inch is dedicated to the craft.
This week, the studio welcomed a new resident: a professional slab roller (a generous Christmas gift from my husband). To make space for this new giant, I’ve been deep in the process of cleaning and organizing. There is something about cleaning chaos that is surprisingly meditative; I tend to think deeply about things when my hands are busy clearing space.
As I shuffled tools, cleared shelves, and finally got rid of the clutter to create open floor space (actual walking room!), my mind wandered through the memories of 2025. I thought about the lovely new and existing customers I met at art festivals, pop-ups, and the heartfelt messages sent online. There were so many moments that made my heart sing.
Lately, I’ve been loving the deeper conversations we've had where I get to learn the why behind the pieces you choose. It is such a gift to discover the emotion and connection that sparks when you find the perfect handmade necklace or ceramic vessel.
This post is just the beginning of sharing those stories, from a "placeholder for love" found at a festival to a spirit in flight, and ultimately, the intentionality behind this sacred studio reset.
Lisa: A Placeholder for Love
Sometimes, a treasure finds you before you’re even ready for it. At the San Carlos Art & Wine Festival last year, I met Lisa, who stopped by my booth and lingered over a ceramic wall pocket. She eventually walked away, but the piece wouldn't let her go. A little while later, she came back... she just knew it had to be hers.
As part of my ongoing "Treasured Stories Project," I asked if she’d be willing to share on video what drew her back to that specific piece.
With beautiful vulnerability, she told me that seeing the piece brought back a flood of memories, it reminded her of her grandmother's wall pockets. It turns out, her grandmother had these same kinds of vessels on her walls.
It wasn't just "home decor" to her; it was a sanctuary... a physical placeholder for a love she wanted to keep present in her daily life. She told me, "I'm happy to hang it on my wall and I'll always think of her."
Moments like these are why I do what I do. It reminds me that in my "crammed studio," I might provide the shape, but you provide the soul.
WATCH LISA'S STORY ON INSTAGRAM
Sherry: A Spirit in Flight & The Storyteller’s Journey
Then there is my new but "re-found" friend, Sherry. You know those people you meet and instantly feel like you’ve known in a past life? That is Sherry. She is a true storyteller who is living the dream, and she recently released her book, The Storyteller’s Quilt.
When Sherry chose the Wild Metamorphosis Bronze Butterfly Pendant Necklace, the connection was electric. This piece is a vision of beauty and a true labor of love: I created a mold from blackberry leaves, shaped it into a butterfly, and then hand-pressed bronze metal clay into it to preserve the leaf's organic form and texture.
In a video that brought tears to my eyes, Sherry told me that wearing this piece feels like an homage to "freedom, and summer, and life."
She said the butterfly looks like it is "in flight," reminding her of the joy of "just being able to be who you are." It was a beautiful reminder that while I might shape the clay, you give the piece its wings.
It fits perfectly with the spirit of her new book:
"Opening The Storyteller’s Quilt is like stepping through a door into a world where courage chooses love, and magic blooms in companionship and friendship."
WATCH SHERRY'S STORY ON INSTAGRAM
Intentionality in the Mess: The Sacred Reset
Fitting this beautiful new giant into the studio required a deep clean, but I realized quickly that cleaning isn't just about moving dust; it’s a journey through memories.
As I cleared the space, I found myself pausing over old sketches and tools, drifting into a reflection of 2025. I thought about the faces I met, like Lisa and Sherry, and the smiles I saw as you found treasures for yourselves or loved ones.
It made me realize that every time I sit down to create, there is a story attached to the piece... my story. But the magic happens when it leaves my studio and enters your life. That’s when the story extends. That’s when it becomes a treasure.
Tell me... when you’re clearing out the old to make room for the new, do you find yourself reliving your favorite moments, too?
Your Face, My Heart: Why I Do What I Do
As I look at these faces, your faces, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Whether we met at a bustling art festival, a cozy pop-up, or connected quietly online, seeing my work become part of your life validates every hour spent in this studio.
You are the reason I choose the "slow" way, obsessing over the organic curve of a leaf or the texture of clay.
Thank you for sharing your stories with me and letting me be a small part of your journey.
Looking Forward to 2026
The studio is reset. The floor is clear(ish). The giant new slab roller is ready for its first run. My heart is full.
And then there is Red, the new girl who has completely stolen our hearts. My husband and I are so in love with her, and she has already settled perfectly into her role as the "studio supervisor" (mostly from her bed).
This year feels like it’s bursting with new possibilities. I can’t wait to create the next batch of "vessels" and see which new stories they find with you. Every piece that leaves this cozy sanctuary will carry intention, history, and, as always, a whole lotta love.