The art scene in the Pacific Northwest is the cream of the crop, as evidenced by the incredible local pottery artists. I can’t resist stopping by their stalls whenever I visit a craft fair. I tell myself it’s because I need gifts for friends and family, but more often than not, I pick something up just for me!
Over the years, I’ve been collecting special pieces from my favorite local artists, so I thought I’d share some of my favorites. Whether you’re looking for the perfect coffee cup, a one-in-a-million art piece, or unique gifts for friends, consider this your guide to the best Seattle ceramicists!
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Local Pottery Artists
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’m always adding to this list as I meet more local ceramic artists!
Seattle ceramics
These are all my favorite local pottery artists in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding area.
Pottery by Negar
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$15 – $65 per piece
Negar is a Seattle ceramicist and architectural designer. He makes mainly wheel-thrown pieces that he shapes by hand to create unique, irregularly-shaped planters and cups. His work remind me of the melting clock painting by Salvador Dali, but more captivatingly minimalist.
Eyre Ceramics
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$15 – $90 per piece
Eyre Ceramics is run by Marleena, a Seattle-based local pottery artist influenced by the contemporary style she picked up from her travels through New York, Miami, and Seattle. She makes functional, wheel-thrown pieces like plates, bowls, and tumblers, each with an understated design and delicate use of color. If you want Seattle ceramics that are minimalist but artisanal looking, KJ Pottery is your maker!
Mud & Fire
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$40 – $95 per piece
Mud & Fire is run by Delaney and features the most PNW-esque Seattle ceramics planters ever. Each piece is made to order and shipped in 100% recycled and eco-friendly packaging.
The mountain backdrops are my favorite. Delaney also enjoys doing personalized work, so send her a message for a custom piece!
kRI kRi Studio
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$24 – $575 per piece
kRi kRi Studio is run by Kristin, AKA Kri Kri. She earned her degree in ceramic sculpture from UW and has dedicated her career to creating modern, organic-shaped lamps, pendant lights, vases, and bowls. She even makes lamp finials (yes, that’s a thing).
Janice Deckmann
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$23 – $36 per piece
Janice Deckmann specializes in “whimsical and functional” pieces like spoon rests, trinket holders, and soap dishes made using stoneware clay. She has a lot of seasonal pieces that would make for a great holiday present. She also makes a lot of Seattle ceramics of dog breeds, so they’re the perfect gift for dog lovers!
m.bueno
link to buy | Olympia, WA | avg. price: ~$17 – $60 per piece
Mariella makes just about everything you could need for the kitchen. You’ll find utensil holders, berry colanders, mugs, bowls, and even juicers. Each one has a similar half glossy-half raw look, giving them a minimalist, understated aesthetic.
DPottery
link to buy | Graham, WA | avg. price: ~$24 – $89 per piece
DPottery is run by husband-and-wife duo David and Tasha Montalvo. David does the pottery and makes a variety of natural-style kitchen goodies, like butter bells, utensil holders, and spoon rests (the latter of which I bought my brother-in-law as a gift). If you sign up for their mailing list, they offer 15% off your first order.
KJ Pottery
link to buy | Spokane, WA | avg. price: ~$28 – $130 per piece
Kelsey runs KJ Pottery and features a wide selection of ceramic bowls, plates, mugs, and, my favorite, the berry bowls. Each piece is made from iron-red earthenware clay, giving that irreplaceable handmade look.
Saltstone Ceramics
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$16 – $500 per piece
Saltstone Ceramics is an artist-owned, independent ceramics gallery and teaching studio. The studio features work from a bunch of small artists, so you get a wide variety of items and styles under one roof.
I love the pieces from Hunny Spyke, a queer Latinx artist who makes pieces that explore the comfort in the discomfort. KOLOS Ceramics are also beautiful and focus on food, my favorite topic!
Rain Ceramics
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$50 – $90 per piece
Rain is one of my favorite local pottery artists because his work can’t help but make you smile. It’s run by Gabe who makes unglazed stoneware planters, mugs, and watering bells designed to add character and bring a little laughter into your home. If you’re in the Capitol Hill area, he also offers classes at his studio! I own one of these little planters and it makes me smile anytime I water what’s in it.
Modern Science Project
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$16 – $340 per piece
Modern Science is run by Amanda, who wanted a space to merge her love of art and science. She uses a variety of mediums in her work, like 3D printers and laser cutters, to create quirky, futuristic, and neon ceramics, from strawberry straws to Beetlejuice-esque lamps. You’ll often find her at one of the best Seattle holiday markets, so keep an eye out!
Sam Dodie
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$15 – $180 per piece
Sam Dodie Studio is run by Sam Block. She uses cookbooks to inspire her collection of mugs and magnets. Each piece is designed to “bring a bit of whimsy into your everyday life.” She has a few pieces for sale on her site, and she hosts monthly “drops” that feature limited quantities of her collection.
Dorotea Ceramics
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$45 – $160 per piece
Caroline Silva runs Dorotea, where she shares her love of nature through her unique flowery plates and bowls. Each is handmade, etched, and painted to give a delicate, watercolor appearance. Her studio also offers adult glazing and watercolor classes.
MODHome Ceramics
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$50 – $175 per piece
Nicole Pepper runs MODHome, and you can usually find her at Pike Place Market selling plates, cups, and teapots. She specializes in sgraffito, where a surface is covered, then the top layer is carefully scratched away to reveal the character below. Her most stunning work is often a deep navy with interesting floral or graphic patterns.
S.T. Cao Ceramics
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$55 – $265 per piece
Stephanie Cao takes inspiration from Scandinavian and Japanese design, as evident from her minimalistic yet multi-dimensional mugs, plates, hanging planters, and vases. I have a few of her pieces and love how they add an air of sophistication to my home, so she’s definitely deserving of this list of best local pottery artists!
Jess Gautney
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$60 – $80 per piece
Jess’s studio started in 2019 when her mentor encouraged her to quit her dreaded 9-5 in pursuit of an artistic career. When Jess isn’t climbing the Cascades, she’s making soda-fired cups and mugs. This technique gives her pieces a unique orange hue and speckles that’s subtle, but oh-so-interesting.
Alphonse Studio
link to buy | Seattle, WA | avg. price: ~$40 – $350 per piece
Natasha Alphonse runs Alphonse Studio. She is part of the Denesuline tribe and incorporates her Indigenous roots into her clay work. Her wood-fired vases and cups are made of dark stoneware and are heavily influenced by her experiences growing up in Saskatchewan on the Black Lake First Nations reservation.
Portland ceramics
Here are my favorite local pottery artists in Portland, Oregon and the surrounding area.
Carter & Rose
link to buy | Portland, OR | avg. price: ~$20 – $60 per piece
Carter & Rose is a brick-and-mortar based in Portland run by Anna VonRosenstiel. She specializes in planters and adorable ceramic snakes, which make great airplant companions or desk mates. All of her pieces are made using Oregon clay, and her shop includes work by other local artists.
I have one of her tiny snakes and I smile every time I look at it!
Joye Made Clay
link to buy | Forest Grove, OR | avg. price: ~$12 – $70 per piece
Joye Made Clay began as Sarah Kang’s retreat following empty nest syndrome. She makes wheel-thrown mugs, butter dishes, and dreamy painting palettes with matching water cups. Each is made with speckled clay, giving it a unique texture and color. Many also have adorable little characters on them, giving them a childlike whimsy bound to make you smile.
Erin MC Design
link to buy | Portland, OR | avg. price: ~$28 – $70 per piece
Erin makes small-batch planters and vases. Each piece is totally unique, handmade, and original. She transforms simple dots, lines, and color schemes into retro and funky designs, and no two are identical.
Wayfaring Woman Ceramics
link to buy | Portland, OR | avg. price: ~$50 – $170 per piece
Wayfaring is a BIPOC one-woman show run by Jenée Antoinette. She combines her love of the PNW and storytellers like Maya Angelou to create heartfelt vessels. She purposely chooses red, black, and brown clay to pay homage to her West African heritage.
Niko Ceramics
link to buy | Portland, OR | avg. price: ~$45 – $110 per piece
Nicky Kriara of Niko is one of the best local pottery artists for you if you love mod designs. She uses a combination of slip-casting, sgraffito, and hand-building techniques to create colorful pieces that bridge the gap between retro and modern. Nicky also paints fascinating murals for local businesses and Portland residents.
Mary Carroll Ceramics
link to buy | Portland, OR | avg. price: ~$65 – $225 per piece
Mary Carroll runs her studio out of Portland and specializes in raw speckled travel tumblers with lids and coffee mugs. Her select use of color and simple pattern design stands out. Every few months, she announces on Instagram when she’s restocking the store, and pieces usually sell out quickly.
Wolf Ceramics
link to buy | Hood River, OR | avg. price: ~$42 – $78 per piece
Sarah, a wannabe architecture student turned full-time ceramicist, runs Wolf. Today, she works with a small team to create a variety of modern speckled plates, mugs, and vases, all made using Oregon clay.
More Pacific Northwest makers
After you make your way through this list of the best local pottery artists for Portland and Seattle ceramics, check out my other guides for more makers.
