ABOUT US
The Carpenter Sisters
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.
CASSI
Well, well, well, let me tell you about this intriguing character we've got here – the Ceramics Crusader, if you will – Cassi the Clay Whisperer. Now, before we dive into her ceramic escapades, let me remind you that life is just a series of moments, and sometimes, those moments lead us down unexpected paths. Now, Cassi wasn't born with a ceramic spoon in her mouth, but she sure had a knack for playdough. You know, that colorful, squishy stuff that's essentially the gateway drug to ceramics. While the other kiddos were just messing around, she was sculpting little Playdough Mona Lisas. Bet you didn't see that coming!
But wait, there's more. She wasn't just a Playdough Picasso; oh no, my friends. She took mud pies to a whole new level. We're talking gourmet mud pies, the kind that'd make Stanley Tucci proud. Her mud pies weren't just for mucking around; they were a gastronomic experience. People would come from miles around just to take a bite of her creations.
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Now, here's where it gets interesting. Cassi had this fascination with Hawaiian art. You know, the stuff with all the palm trees, hula dancers, and those colorful patterns that'd make your eyes do a little dance of their own. It spoke to her on a deep, almost spiritual level. And then, life threw her a curveball. She became a mother of two boys. Now, that's a full-time job right there, but did that stop her? Heck no! She managed to juggle motherhood with her passion for ceramics. While her boys were playin' and causin' all sorts of chaos, she was there, quietly crafting her masterpieces.Fast forward a bit, and now Cassi the Clay Whisperer is ready to unleash her creativity on the world. With a heart full of passion, hands that could shape clay into dreams, and a genuine love for all things Hawaiian, she's diving headfirst into the world of ceramics.
So, if you're on the hunt for ceramics that are more than just inanimate objects, if you want a piece of art that's got a dash of Hawaii and a sprinkle of motherly love, you know where to go. Cassi’s ceramics are like a punchline that keeps on giving – they're funny, they're heartwarming, and they're just what you need in this wild journey we call life. In the world of ceramics, Cassi is an up-and-coming star, the clay virtuoso, the Hawaiian art enthusiast, and the mom who turned mud into magic. Get ready, folks, because this ceramic adventure is gonna be one heck of a ride!
Raku
Carved
Sgraffito
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 2025. 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 and beyond.
Boxes & Bowls
Frida Kahlo
Día de Muertos
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.
