Custom Ceramic Storytelling Commissions
I turn your memories—a shared joke, a favourite date, or a beloved pet—into one-of-a-kind handbuilt ceramic art. Let’s make your story permanent.
The slow, satisfying process of carving a story into clay using the sgraffito technique. This video shows a glimpse of a commissioned wall plate set, where I etched designs representing a client's passions, revealing the lighter clay beneath the dark slip.
A close-up of a custom sgraffito plate before its final firing. This piece, part of a set of three, was designed to represent a love for acting, with symbols of the sun and nature. Each line is carefully carved by hand.
The complete set of three commissioned wall plates, telling a story through hand-carved illustrations. This set captures a love for dogs, music, and acting, creating a unique piece of personalized ceramic art for the home.
A custom plate celebrating a beloved pet, Scotch. Using the sgraffito technique, I carved the image of the dog into the clay, creating a lasting tribute. These personalized ceramic pieces make for incredibly special gifts.
This hand-carved plate from a custom set represents a passion for music. The silhouette of a woman playing a sitar under the moon was designed to capture a specific mood and story, turning a simple plate into narrative art.
A set of custom ceramic tiles created to capture a shared memory between friends involving a red bandhani dupatta. This project was a fun challenge, from finding the right way to depict the fabric's drape to painting its delicate pattern.
Here are the custom "dupatta" tiles displayed in their new home. Seeing a piece I made, which holds a special story for someone, become a part of their daily environment is an incredible feeling.
Another view of the anecdotal ceramic tiles, showing how they can be displayed as a unique piece of decor. These custom pottery commissions are perfect for commemorating friendships and special moments.
A close-up of the finished and glazed custom tiles. The vibrant red and yellow dots of the bandhani pattern came out beautifully from the kiln, bringing the memory to life in ceramic form.
The custom tiles just before their final glaze firing. This is a crucial moment where the piece is full of potential, waiting for the heat of the kiln to transform it and set the colors.
About Custom Storytelling Commissions
These commissions require patience because I do not use moulds. We will spend time during our initial chat mapping your memory—whether it is a song, a specific fabric pattern, or a pet’s silhouette—to the design. Because I hand-carve every detail using sgraffito or sculptural techniques, the entire process from concept to final firing takes about three to five weeks.
How We Make It Real
A commission starts with a conversation, not a catalogue. You might come to me with a vague feeling or a very specific image. My job is to translate that into Mumbai mitti (clay). Whether you want a set of plates that document a love story or custom tiles that replicate a family heirloom fabric, we start by sketching out how that narrative fits onto clay.
The Process
- Consultation: We discuss the memory. If it’s a pet, I look at photos. If it’s a fabric pattern, we discuss textures and color palettes.
- Construction: I build the base by hand, using pinching or slab rolling. I avoid the wheel here to keep the shapes organic and unique.
- Detailing: This is where the story lives. I use sgraffito—scratching through the glaze—or hand-sculpting to add the text, names, or illustrative elements.
- The Kiln: Everything is fired at 1220 degrees Celsius. This is the nervous part of the process, but the final, durable piece is worth the wait.
Practical Details
Every piece is functional. These aren't just display items; they are food-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. If you are ordering these as a gift for a specific date, please account for the 3-5 week production timeline. I ship carefully using biodegradable cushioning to ensure those hand-sculpted details survive the journey.
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