KAY CERAMICS: LANDON SPEERS; MICHELLE GRIMM CERAMICS: JARUSHA BROWN; LOVE CO. CERAMICS: MARLEE WALDRON
I N V E N T OR Y
Kiln Me Softly
Across B.C., makers and
designers are spinning,
throwing and firing
spectacular ceramics.
by Alyssa Hirose
(
quality time
)
ONE STOP
Karla Strickland's Ucluelet-based studio
really does it all: the property serves as a
workspace, art gallery, classroom and shop.
The Sunshine Coast artist honed her skills at a
local community centre before launching Kay
Ceramic and Design in 2019. "My style is
modern and simple, often utilizing the same
glazes over and over again but allowing the
different clays and combinations to create a
unique look," she says. kayceramics.com
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MIXED FELINES
Ceramicist Tessa Reed learned her craft at Granville Island's Kingsmill Studio. "I heavily
credit the artists there as a massive inspiration to where I am today," she says. Her other
inspiration? Her cat, Charlie, who appears throughout her work. She first formed the
feline-forward Tessaramics in 2013 (her resumé also includes a stint at a catfé, classic).
She and Charlie both work in Burnaby. tessaramics.com
NOT-SO-MEAN MUGGING
Kelowna-based Love Co. Ceramics
has humble beginnings: founder Bri
Paulson first learned pottery as a
teen, then picked it back up post-
undergrad, creating a makeshift studio
in her kitchen. Now she's working
in ceramics full-time—the biz was
officially founded in 2020. Love Co.'s
products mix glazed with non-glazed
clay: "I like to leave the natural clay
in parts of my mugs so that you can
feel the texture," explains Paulson.
instagram.com/love_co.ceramics
£
TAKE THE WHEEL
Tanvi Arora was just named Western Living
magazine's Maker of the Year in its 2023
Designers of the Year competition. So it's
too late to say you knew about her before
she hit it big, but now's the time to check out
the Dubai-born maker's East Van-based Tav
Ceramics and its impressive portfolio of
work including dinnerware, vases, lighting
and art installations. tavceramics.com
RIGHT PLATE RIGHT TIME
Shuobi Wu's family history in the ceramics
business goes back to the early 1900s—his
Vancouver-based company is very aptly
named Lineage Ceramics. Founded in
2020, Lineage sells hardy plates, bowls,
saucers and drinkware in cozy neutral colours.
lineageceramics.com
FINE EQUINE
Instead of using an electric kiln, Vancouver-
based maker Michelle Grimm finishes her
ceramics with real fire on a 17-acre farm
in Langley. Since 2017 she's been crafting
one-of-a-kind wares—in part thanks to
unique techniques, like soda firing, raku and
using horse hair to create organic designs.
michellegrimmceramics.com
