The ocean, carved into clay in the mountains of Idaho
Hi, I'm Amy, the maker behind Outer Reef Ceramics. Every piece in this shop is made by hand, one at a time, in my home studio in Idaho.
I'm a long way from the coast, but the ocean is never far from my mind. Whales, octopus, sea turtles, herons, jellyfish and coral all find their way onto my pottery. Bringing a little of the sea into everyday life is what this shop is about.
Pottery made to be used
I make mugs for slow mornings, bowls for the family table, vases for a single stem from the garden, and small dishes for the rings and treasures you set down at the end of the day. Each piece is meant to be used and loved every day, with just enough decorative detail to feel special on the shelf.
What is sgraffito?
Many of my pieces are decorated with sgraffito, an old technique whose name comes from the Italian word for "to scratch." I brush a layer of color onto the clay, then carve through it by hand to reveal the clay beneath. Every line is drawn freehand, so no two pieces are ever the same.
How each piece is made
- Thrown on the wheel or built by hand from durable stoneware
- Carved, glazed and kiln fired in my studio
- Signed with my maker's mark on the bottom
- Packed carefully and shipped from Idaho
Because everything is handmade, you'll see small variations in shape, glaze and carving. Those little differences are what make your piece one of a kind.
Thank you for supporting handmade work. You can follow along with new pieces and studio life on Instagram at @outerreefceramics.