Emmanuelle Ceramics

Inspired by my mother’s love of gardening and traditional women’s fiber arts, I create slab-built and wheel-thrown ceramic dinnerware and barware (plates, bowls, mugs, and vases), embossed with found lace and fabric which I collect from estate and yard sales, vintage shops, and online. I also draw inspiration from floral and plant motifs in my environment to create my own, wheel-thrown, carved, and sculpted, decorative floral vessels and planters.

My mother is a master gardener and fiber artist. These art forms are a large part of her Haitian culture. She instilled in me from a young age a love of these arts, though I could never master them. My ceramics is my way of honoring her and these art forms. I create my own gardens and weave my own tapestries in clay. I take objects that fade over time, flowers and fabric, and make them permanent through my vessels. By creating and impressing these items in clay I create mementos, heirlooms that can last lifetimes.

I started my business about two years ago after studying at a residency in Japan. I came back and my love a functional ceramics grew ceramics. I also had a chance to look at my mothers collection of lace and thought about how it would look pressed into clay. It was then that I thought I may be able to create a business out of three of the things I love, clay, history, and fashion.