Welcome to Dana's Clayworks!

I create wheel-thrown pottery designed to be held, used, and loved. Specializing in sgraffito and mishima decoration (more on these below), I strive to create highly usable art that stands the test of time.

• Shop: Browse my latest work at my Etsy shop

• Custom: I'm always most excited to create commission pieces. Email me to learn more.

• Gallery: View my journey and recent craftsmanship on the "About", "Portfolio" and "Blog" pages.

Sgraffito & Mishima

Most of my ceramic makes are hand-thrown with stoneware clay. I decorate them using sgraffito and mishima, complimentary techniques with origins in different parts of the ceramics world.

Sgraffito (italian for 'to scratch') is a traditional decoration technique used in Italy but with older origins in Egypt, and the Middle East. First I cover the ceramic piece with colored slip (liquid clay) and then scratch away the color to create the image in the raw clay beneath.

Mishima is a Japanese word for a decorating style originally developed in Korea. In mishima, I first carve designs into the clay and then fill in those lines with the colored slip!

Both techniques are traditionally done with black slip on light clay, but I also enjoy incorporating a palette of desert reds, ochres, and blues—bringing the spirit of the mountains and southwest deserts of Western US to scenes I carve.