The Vegan Potter August I.N.S.I.G.H.T.

Each month I give you a little snapshot into my world. Here’s the breakdown for the “I.N.S.I.G.H.T”

Inspiring: what’s inspiring me

New: what’s new in my retail shop (at Glaze Handmade or online)

Subscribing: what I’m listening to, reading or recommending

Indulging: what I’m treating myself to or making in my kitchen

Growing: what plants I’m growing or what ideas are sprouting

Highlighting: who I’m supporting (creatives, sanctuaries etc.)

Teaching: what I’m teaching or being taught!

I – Inspiring

A few weeks ago my friend and the Artist/Maker behind Soul Space Arts, Christine Jablonski reached out to me with an idea for a collaboration. I knew before I even heard about her idea that I was going to say YES! Christine is a talented weaver who’s use of color is exquisite and I’ve been honored to feature her dish towels in my retail shop for years. At the heart of the collaboration is our shared desire to use our crafts as protest. Throughout history art has been used as a tool to fight against oppression, injustice and inequities (I call it Art as Activism or Artivism). Christine has created a weaving pattern using a treadling sequence on her loom that incorporates the words Justice, Equity and Security within the framework of a crackle weaving structure. The words themselves illustrate a vision for a better country with a just and equitable society creating more security for its citizens. I considered how I could present the three words in a way that would be visually interesting and relate back to the concept of being interwoven. I am hand building mugs with recycled clay as a way to further work within a lesser environmental footprint and impressing my design into the clay surface. Hand woven towel and hand crafted mug will be sold as a set with 7 different color options reflecting all the colors in the rainbow. We will be donating a portion of the proceeds from this collaboration to an organization that supports and fights for the very words the collaboration represents. Stay tuned as we refine this project and get ready to launch a pre-order next month.

N – New – pinstriped pinch pots- back to basics

Pinch pots are one of the most primitive forms of pottery thought to date as far back as the late paleolithic era roughly 20,000 yrs ago. They cross cultures and continents requiring nothing but clay and hands to form. I’ve really been enjoying getting back to simpler forming techniques that display the ‘markings of the maker’ undulating rims and dimpled surfaces from fingers pinching to create the walls of the vessel. Small bowls and cups are adorned with simple stripes, a nod to modern style on these ancient forms. They are some of the most darling pots I’ve been making lately and I’m having a hard time not keeping them all. I love small things and these bowls and cups are perfect for snacking, mis en place, sipping and so many other special uses. There are a few available in my web shop if you want to scoop one up for yourself.

S – Subscribing

I’m really honored and excited to be among one of a small group of locals who support each others writing via substack. We get together monthly to talk about our writing and brainstorm because we are all activists who care deeply about topics like inclusivity, the environment, sustainable living and compassion, just to name a few. Bridget Shirvell is a passionate writer, mother, climate activist and author of the book ‘Parenting in a Climate Crisis: A handbook for turning fear into action’. Her writing is thoughtful and relatable, even to someone, like me, who doesn’t have kids. I really enjoyed one of her substack articles from earlier this year which provokes us to consider the true value of objects and keeping track of them rather than considering them expendable or easily replaceable. I hope you’ll give Bridget a follow and consider subscribing to her newsletter as well!

I – Indulging – summer spritzer mocktail

Recently I harvested pineapple sage and mint and made two types of simple syrup. The pineapple sage was a classic stovetop simmer with cane sugar and the mint was mascerated in the fridge between layers of cane sugar and lemon juice. I then made two kinds of ice cubes, one was a simple coconut water ice cube and the other was a smoothie cube made from blended frozen strawberries and pineapple made into ice cubes. The Summer Spritzer mocktail was born from all of these ingredients and the result is a subtle sweet and fruity refresher that melts into more deliciousness rather than a watered down drink. You can check out the full recipe for all the components on my website.

G – Growing – dahlias and photos

Growing dahlias seems to be a quintessential goal post for many home gardeners. Until a few years ago I had no idea what they looked like, let alone anything about growing them. In November of 2025 I invested in seed trays from Epic Gardening and flower seeds from Floret Farm and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and I pledged to grow flowers in 2026. In March, on a New Moon, I planted flower seeds. Now, five months later, I’m harvesting Dahlias, Zinnias, Chamomile and straw flowers that I grew from SEED! Can you tell I’m quite proud of myself? (insert Wonder Woman pose here) I spend a few minutes every single morning in my humble little garden admiring the foliage and buds and inspecting every petal as it begins to unfurl. Hummingbirds and bumblebees dart around me collecting their breakfast. It’s a sacred time each day that I allow myself to be nurtured by nature.

H – Highlighting

Our little coastal town of Stonington, CT can now boast about a new cultural addition thanks to Stonington Pride. The Very Queer Free Little Library recently had a ribbon cutting and is officially open for browsing and borrowing. This Little Free Library provides books of all types for people of all ages with its main focus on stories by and about marginalized communities. It resides inside the Velvet Mill, just outside of Shuttle Press & Bindery and owes a debt of gratitude to Farrah Garland, local activist, artist, advocate and educator for disability and queer rights who had a huge role in bringing this little library to fruition!

T – Teaching

In addition to two August public workshops at my studio Glaze Handmade (Make a Mug August 22 & Make a watercolor paint palette August 28), I’m trying something new and taking the show on the road. Just down the road actually, to The Ditty Bag Zero Waste Market & Café, where I’ll be presenting a zero-waste workshop using recycled, ‘scrap’ clay to sculpt ‘scrappy cats’. Unlike my typical workshops this special event does not require pre-registration and is open to all ages, although children must be accompanied/and managed by their caretakers at all times. It’s about a 15 min process to sculpt a miniature kitty and it’s pay-what-you-can. I’ll be hanging out from 12-3pm sipping tea so if you’re a cool cat, come join in the fun (one cat per person) and you can revisit The Ditty Bag in 3-4 weeks to pick up your finished creation. I’m sure it will be a purrrrfect day, hope to see you Sunday August 30!