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You’re a what?
Ceramicist

Elsbeth Hamilton | June 2026

Ranita Haanen

What do you do?

I consider myself an artist and, more specifically, a ceramicist. I run a small business as well, where I sell my art and teach classes. In my work, I focus on making truly unique functional ware like snack plates, berry baskets, and bowls. I want my art to not only be touched but used in everyday life. I think it's important for humans to be surrounded by and interact with beautiful objects made with intention.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It depends on what day of the week it is. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually production days, so I'm in the studio making pieces for inventory and custom orders. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, I’m teaching pottery classes and I have a lot more walk-ins in my shop. I take off Sundays and Mondays.

The process of creating pottery can be pretty lengthy. First, I build the pieces, whether it be a bowl, plate, or other object. Then, I touch them up and add finishing touches as they dry. Once they are completely dry, I put them in the kiln and fire them to about 2,000 degrees. Next, I glaze and decorate the pieces, and they go back to the kiln to be fired again to about 2,000 degrees. It usually takes about 2 weeks from start to finish depending on the size of the project.

What drew you to becoming a ceramicist?

I've always wanted to be an artist. Even when I was a little kid, people would ask me and that's what I would say. My parents were always super supportive and encouraged it.

I love playing with all different mediums, but clay definitely has my heart. While ceramics presents challenges, the possibilities are truly limitless. Pottery is one of the oldest human activities, yet people are finding new ways to manipulate the material every day. As someone who loves learning and discovering, I think this is why clay became my favorite medium.

Not only that, but turning a piece of mud into a functional object is undeniably magical. I love the fact that you can make everyday items with it and just have little pieces of art in your daily life.

What are some essential skills or qualities needed to work as a ceramicist?

You need to be self-motivated. I think that's true any time you're running any kind of business, because you don’t really have anyone telling you what to do. Ceramics is a lengthy process—it’s a practice of patience. Just don't give up.

There's a lot of people who don’t really understand this path. When I told them I wanted to be an artist, they didn’t get it. Just keep doing it and it could work out.

How did you get to where you are now?

I got a Bachelor of Arts in both studio art and graphic design. I worked for a lot of other people before I started my own business. I worked for a production pottery shop for a while and for a place that manufactures clay. I wanted to learn as much about the industry as I could before starting my own business. Working at those different companies was a huge training opportunity that helped me to get where I am.

What do you like best about your job?

I love the freedom of it. I've never been a 9-to-5 person. I have a really hard time with strict schedules. It's really nice to have something more flexible that works around my schedule.

What are some challenges?

I'm always learning. I'm always running into new challenges along the way. I started out making stuff in the garage, so getting this space was a challenge. Once I had a space, I had to deal with all the problems that come with owning a property.

My biggest challenge has just been adapting to the changes that come with growing and scaling a business. That being said, it’s been a fun challenge. Something I enjoyed navigating, but a challenge nonetheless. I've always enjoyed learning, growing, and adapting. It certainly takes a certain type of person to be an entrepreneur!

Tell me a little bit about your favorite project.

I really love teaching pottery classes; that was something I just started this year. It's been so cool seeing what other people come up with and giving my community a space to come and be creative. I have open studio time for kids on Saturdays where they can come in and play with clay, and I teach classes on making egg cartons, plant pots, and other items.

Any future plans or projects you're looking forward to?

I have a large-scale goal and a small-scale goal. On the smaller scale, I just started making these new bowls that I'm super excited about. I've been doing custom plate orders for a long time, and I just started making custom bowls.

On a larger scale, I really want to get more involved with the community. I teach classes, but I want to branch out into an after-school program or an event to raise money for charity.

Do you have any advice for an aspiring ceramicist or other artist?

I would say to stay true to yourself. No matter what you make, some people are going to love it, and some people are going to hate it. You just have to believe in yourself.