The MADE Clay Crew
Ally
I graduated from Sinclair almost three years ago and started working in marketing and event planning. Since then, I’ve collected way more houseplants than I can handle and welcomed a very pampered cat into my life.
Wheel or Hand Building
Favorite thing to make?
Recently my favorite thing I made was a planter with an attached drainage tray.
If you could only use one tool for the rest of your pottery career, what would it be?
I couldn’t live without a wooden rib tool
Perfect day in the studio?
When I get to put on my headphones, get messy, and not think about anything else that’s going on.
How would you describe your pottery style in three words?
Still finding it!
Favorite part of MADE?
My favorite part of made is the community of people I’ve met there. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive. I know I can count on the friends I’ve MADE here (pun intended)!
Andrea
I'm a proud Dayton-native residing in Bellmont with my rescue kitty Jimi. As a way to cope with grief, my pottery journey started in early 2021. Creating with clay for the last nearly four years, gave me a sense of purpose in the midst of losing my mother to cancer and was the art therapy I didn’t know I desperately needed. With an obsession for all things 70s earth tones, I enjoy taking inspiration from vintage patterns and merging it with contemporary design to handcraft whimsy jewelry and home decor for my personal brand OH! Clay CO.
Wheel or Hand Building
What’s your dream pottery project?
Currently daydreaming about handbuilding a coil lamp base.
What’s one piece of advice you give to all your students?
I like to remind my students that every "failure" is actually a learning lesson in disguise. Each time we walk away with one more piece of knowledge to further our journey in ceramics and in life.
Favorite part of MADE?
My favorite part of MADE is the relaxing, welcoming atmosphere that draws in the nicest, most supportive creatives. It's truly a wondeful space to build community.
Chelsea
I'm a proud Dayton-native residing in Bellmont with my rescue kitty Jimi. As a way to cope with grief, my pottery journey started in early 2021. Creating with clay for the last nearly four years, gave me a sense of purpose in the midst of losing my mother to cancer and was the art therapy I didn’t know I desperately needed. With an obsession for all things 70s earth tones, I enjoy taking inspiration from vintage patterns and merging it with contemporary design to handcraft whimsy jewelry and home decor for my personal brand OH! Clay CO.
Wheel or Hand Building
What’s your dream pottery project?
Currently daydreaming about handbuilding a coil lamp base.
What’s one piece of advice you give to all your students?
I like to remind my students that every "failure" is actually a learning lesson in disguise. Each time we walk away with one more piece of knowledge to further our journey in ceramics and in life.
Favorite part of MADE?
My favorite part of MADE is the relaxing, welcoming atmosphere that draws in the nicest, most supportive creatives. It's truly a wondeful space to build community.
Courtney
I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio and have always had a love for different art forms. I started working with ceramics while studying at the University of Dayton a couple years ago and realized that it can connect the mediums I love the most, while also conveying a message. As well as working as an artist, I teach classes and am a full time cook.
Wheel or Hand Building
If you could only use one tool for the rest of your pottery career, what would it be?
Extruder
Perfect day in the studio?
Stamping and initialing “Take it for a Spin!” work then glazing the pieces I got to stamp the week prior! Seeing the process of others’ artwork!
Dream Project?
Large scale body planter.
Favorite part of MADE?
How the community is supportive and always looking for new ways to learn and grow!
Jessica
I recently graduated with a BFA from Miami University, with a concentration in Ceramics. With an interest in both hand building and wheel throwing I am excited to introduce and guide others into my own beloved practice!
Wheel or Hand Building I can’t choose…
How long have you been doing pottery?
Three years
If you could only use one tool for the rest of your pottery career, what would it be?
Sponge
Favorite thing to make?
Heavily detailed functional pieces (jewelry dishes, incense trays, etc)
How would you describe your pottery style in three words?
Bright, Colorful, Detailed
What do you hope students take away from your classes?
Ceramics is a humbling practice but that’s what makes it so rewarding.
Josh
I am currently working and living in yellow springs as an apprentice at Miami valley pottery producing wood fired functional production ware. I enjoy reading, going out to new restaurants and cooking in my spare time.
Wheel or Hand Building
Where did you learn pottery?
I trained under Meredith Habermann for several years in San Diego before taking an apprenticeship with Miami Valley Pottery in yellow springs.
Perfect day in the studio?
Start with making mug bodies, prep handles for yesterdays mugs and spend a few hours attaching them while watching whatever show I’m watching.
What do you hope students take away from your classes?
A strong technical foundation upon which play can be explored.
Favorite part of MADE?
The staff — everyone is a joy to work with and make doing mundane tasks infinitely more enjoyable.
Hi! Sarah here. Maker behind Gem City Ceramics and owner of MADE a ceramic art studio.
I make to find connection. Connection with materials and their story. Connection with my own capabilities and creativity. Connection with you and the opportunity to make something uniquely yours.
A proud Dayton transplant, I have a love for things all things handmade goods and the people behind them. I began Gem City Ceramics in January of 2020 after graduating from school with an engineering degree and the draw to do something far different. When the need for a workspace presented itself, I dove into a new project, MADE. Over the past few years, with the help of the most amazing Clay Crew on this side of the universe, we have built a space for others to come connect with themselves and with others through the craft of pottery.
Creating has been a part of my life since the time my tiny fingers could grasp a marker. While mud throwing has become my primary craft, I enjoy working within a variety of mediums including linocut, wood, and fiber. My work often has an emphasis on simplicity and intentional functionality, with the hope my pieces serve your average days, as my fondest memories and conversations have occurred during such. Groggy morning coffees and ordinary conversations with extraordinary people are my specialties.
In the News
“We chat with the co-owner of MADE, Sarah Richard! She explains what the studio is all about & how you can get involved.”
— Living Dayton (April 2021) —
“I began Gem City Ceramics in January of 2020 after graduating. Really what that meant was creating an Instagram account dedicated to pottery.”
— Voyage Ohio (July 2022) —
“I think it is so important to support local artists not only to physically support them but to show there is a connection in every purchase that you make.”
— Hamilton Township (April 2022) —
Dayton Business Journal Inno Under 25
“But Richard also is a small business owner. After graduating college, she founded Gem City Ceramics in 2020 where she follows another one of her passions. She went on to open MADE, a ceramic art studio in Dayton. And now she’s preparing to open a pottery shop and workshop studio at 1619 East Fifth St. in the St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood.”
2024 BBB Spark Award Recipient
The Spark Awards, an Award for Entrepreneurship, recognizes business owners 35 and under or business owners of any age operating for less than three years, who demonstrate a higher level of character, generating a culture that is authentic about its mission and connect with community.