ABOUT US
Tess, Cassi, and Mandi
Through our journey of creating our art, we have all taken a different route with clay. Cassi can be found on the wheel throwing clay to create beautiful functional bowls which are uniquely glazed. Tess is in front of the slab roller to start the process of creating hand painted Mexican themed tiles, used to build mosaic tables, items to adorn offrendas, and decorative boxes & bowls. Mandi starts with a pound of clay and hand builds stunning organic vases and has perfected the art of burnishing to finish her pieces.
TESS
A Baltimore native, Tess has never considered herself an artist in any sense of the word, yet fell in love with clay when she was in college at Towson University, taking every class in hand building possible and earning a minor in Art. She went on to become a licensed psychologist, a mother of two incredible young men, Sam and Ezra, and a wife to an amazing husband, Drew. During COVID, youngest sister Mandi moved back to Baltimore, and having already cultivated a love for clay in Los Angeles, she twisted Tess's arm to attend a class at Baltimore Clayworks in 2021. Since then, Tess and Mandi have spent almost every Sunday at the studio being taught by Volker Schoenfliess, one of the founding members. Having learned a multitude of techniques from Volker’s infinite wisdom, Tess became drawn to creating tiles. Using sgraffito, underglazes, burnishing, majolica, molds and stencils, she creates functional and decorative pieces for the home, specifically elements for ofrendas to be used for Día de Muertos, bowls, boxes, and tabletops.
After a rewarding career dedicated to working with adolescents in residential care recovering from past traumas, Tess is looking forward to moving to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with her husband in 2026. Having visited PV for many years, Tess fell in love with the people, the culture, and the local art scene. Many of her pieces celebrate Mexican culture and artists. From the Boy on the Seahorse sculpture by Francisco Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda, to anything Frida Kahlo, and to everything celebrating the Day of the Dead, Tess is excited to immerse herself into the history of Mexican art and is hopeful to contribute to the art scene in her travels to Mexico.
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Until this eventual move, Tess will also be starting a line of pottery celebrating her hometown with all things Maryland and her beloved Baltimore City, as well as pieces inspired by her travels to Maine and the Carribean.
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Boxes & Bowls
Frida Kahlo
Día de Muertos
CASSI
Cassi is an artist who transforms clay into vessels that carry story, fire, and spirit. Inspired by the elemental forces of Hawai‘i, volcanic landscapes, ocean rhythms, and the stillness between, her work reflects the balance of intensity and calm found in nature.
Known for her fearless approach to process, she embraces the unpredictability of techniques like naked raku, where smoke and flame leave their unrepeatable mark. Each piece is a meeting of earth and chance, balancing strength with delicacy, presence with imperfection.
Guided by a deep respect for transformation, clay to form, fire to finish, object to experience, her pottery feels alive. It invites touch and contemplation, offering a connection to nature, to spirit, and to the fleeting beauty of each moment.​
Raku
Carved
Sgraffito
MANDI
Mandi embarked on a journey of self-discovery in 2018 when she decided to take a chance on a pottery class. Truth be told it was a "Couples" Workshop full of love birds but that didn't stop her and little did she know that this leap of faith would transform her life in the most beautiful way. From the moment she touched the clay and molded it with her hands, she felt an instant connection to ceramics.The more she delved into this totally new art form that had once only been a lone item on her bucket list, the more she realized that ceramics was not just a hobby; it was her passion. The tactile sensation of clay, the gritty smell of earthenware, and the endless possibilities of creating functional and decorative pieces fueled her newfound love for the craft.
When COVID-19 struck and the world came to a standstill, Mandi faced the challenge of keeping her creative flame alive. Fortunately, she had formed a great relationship with the wonderful pottery studio Good Dirt LA where she had been taking classes and they were implementing strict safety measures, allowing makers to continue their craft. Good Dirt LA became her sanctuary during those uncertain times, a place where she could immerse herself in the art of ceramics and connect with fellow makers, even if only through smiles and nods from a safe distance.
A heartwarming aspect of Mandi's pottery journey is the bond she forged with her sisters. When Mandi moved back to the East Coast, she and Tess began taking classes together, and the shared experience deepened their connection. Cass was there in spirit listening to all the stories of their fun projects and eclectic teachers from her home on the West Coast. Mandi and her sisters discovered that their creative spirits flourished when they shared their adventures in clay, all crafting their unique pieces and inspiring each other along the way.
Today, Mandi is a passionate ceramic artist known for her hand-built vessels, functional planters, and smooth burnished sculptures. Her work not only brings joy to her own life but also to those who are fortunate enough to acquire one of her unique creations. Through pottery, Mandi found her creative calling, a lifeline during the pandemic, and a beautiful bond with her sisters. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of taking a chance on something new and the incredible journey that can unfold when passion and creativity intersect.
Hand Built Forms
Plant Pots
Orchid Holders
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OUR BROTHER, WALTER
We would like to honor our younger brother, Walter, who was an artist, maker, and musician. He died in 2009 by suicide after a long battle with depression. Walter walked through life living by his own rules, unapologetically. He loved creating things, was avant-garde in every sense, and was an amazing friend, son, and brother.
