Hello, and welcome to Kathryn Alma Pottery!

 

About Kathryn Alma

Hi, I’m Kathryn! I live in Annapolis, Maryland with my husband, daughter, and 2 dogs. I spent a few years in college not finding my niche, then joined the workforce - more interested in the new found freedom an income could offer, rather than actual fulfillment in my work. Then I got married and had a baby, and decided it was time to find my passion. I guess I kind of got that backwards, but I wouldn’t change it if I could! When my daughter was a year old I began exploring ceramics and I continued to do so casually through college and community center courses. In the fall of 2020, with a push from a friend, I started selling my work on Etsy. It was another 18 months before I made the decision to pivot from hobbyist to career-woman. It is exciting to begin this new journey, and I’m so glad to be able to share it with you!

About the Pottery Studio

As of April 2022, this is the pottery studio: a small corner of my garage.

Up until the beginning of the pandemic, I only ever worked with clay in community studios. But while we were stuck at home for a while, and then courses transitioned to virtual, I began making some work at home. This opened my eyes to the possibility of creating a workshop space for myself at home. Starting at the beginning of 2022 I have been working towards carving out that space. In the summer of 2022 I made my first big investment, a kiln!

 
 

About the Ceramics

As many potters will attest, you could work with clay your entire life and never use the same technique twice. There are so many different ways to create with clay, and I’ve spent the 7 years trying as many as I could! But part of my development as a potter is finding my niche - both what I love to make and what I’m really good at making. And while I continue to dabble in different techniques (and always will - it’s half the fun!), my education is consolidating into a distinctive style and genre.

I love geometric shapes and abstract patterns. I love utilizing the repetition I find in nature, sometimes in my own backyard! I enjoy hand building for its slow pace and methodical process which produces 100% unique work every time. I love the look and feel of natural, unglazed clay which means you will often see if featured in my work.

I make pots that make you smile or chuckle or look again because they catch you by surprise. I want you to be aware of the material and how it affects and influences the finished piece you see in front of you. I want to share my perspective through my favorite medium, and let you take home a small part of me.

 

FAQs

  • Kathryn Alma Pottery is located in Annapolis, Maryland, USA.

    Currently I work out of my home and do not have a brick and mortar location.

  • Everything is handmade by me, Kathryn! This means I start with clay and form it into different shapes using all manner or tools: my hands are probably the most important ones, but I also use a potter’s wheel and lots of carving tools. The clay is then fired in a kiln, and it becomes bisque ware. This is when glossy glazes are added. After that it gets fired in the kiln again, and presto change-o, it is ceramic! There are a lot of little steps in between, but this is the overall process that every piece of ceramic I make must go through.

  • If my Etsy shop is empty, you better believe I am working to update it soon! I am also selling work at local vendor craft markets, and will be launching a commerce section on my website soon. The best way to know when and where my work is available for sale is to join the mailing list - that way you will get dates and locations sent right to your email!

  • I would love to hear your idea! Please head over to the Contact page and send me all your thoughts!

    A couple of things to keep in mind: I will never copy another artist’s work. And, ceramics can take weeks to produce, longer if I’m working out the kinks of a new idea. There is no such thing as a “rush order” from my studio!

  • Currently I ship within the United States. I ship USPS priority mail unless you communicate with me ahead of time to discuss other options.

  • If you have a question I haven't addressed in the FAQs, please navigate over to the the Contact page and drop me a line. I'd be happy to answer questions, and your submission might even earn a permanent spot here in the FAQs!