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Embracing Change: How My Ceramics Evolves with Me

Writer's picture: Sydney KennedySydney Kennedy

The Early Days: Just Making for the Joy of It



When I first started ceramics, my only goal was to create as much as I could. There wasn’t any pressure to follow a particular style or a set vision. Each piece was its own adventure, a way to explore what I could do with clay, glazes, and shapes. This freedom helped me build confidence with my hands and tools, and I learned so much from the trial-and-error process. There were mishaps and cracked pieces, but those early days were about experimenting without boundaries.


Different ceramic bisqueware, sitting on a shelf in a ceramic studio

As I made more pieces, though, I felt the desire to narrow my focus and let my personality show more in each piece. I wanted my work to tell a story, and this realization eventually set me on a new path: a journey to discover a style that felt like it was truly mine.


Finding My Style: An Intentional Journey


This journey to develop a style started in earnest when I began taking my business more seriously. As I considered my work from the perspective of a small business owner, I found myself naturally gravitating toward certain styles and aesthetics. I started paying attention to which shapes, textures, and colors felt the most “me.” Sometimes, I’d try replicating designs I admired, not to duplicate them but to better understand the techniques behind them and how they could inform my own style.


With each piece, I felt like I was carving out a little more of my artistic voice. I’d discover a shape or technique I liked and then experiment with ways to make it unique to my work. And while I’m still on this journey, I now feel much more connected to my pieces—they carry the imprint of who I am becoming as an artist.


A Turning Point: The Taos Valley Bloom Bowl


A wide ceramic bowl with a beige glaze, decorated with a radiating pattern of alternating brown and teal brushstrokes on the interior

One piece that truly felt like a turning point was my Taos Valley Bloom Bowl. This bowl represented a leap in both size and technique, marking a new level of skill for me. Measuring 11 inches wide and 3 inches tall, it was the widest bowl I had ever successfully thrown and completed without cracks. This alone felt like a victory, but I was also experimenting with a new glazing technique that added a whole new dimension to the piece.


The glaze gave it a unique texture and color depth that I hadn’t achieved before, and it reminded me of the natural, earthy tones of Taos Valley, a place that holds special meaning for me. If you’re interested in the glazing technique I used, head over to my blog post, “The Unexpected Joys of Ceramics – What Keeps Me Going.” This piece, with its larger scale and experimental glazing, symbolized not just growth but the confidence to push boundaries in my work.


Where I Am Now: Precision, Dedication, and New Possibilities


Fast forward to today, and I can see just how much my dedication and focus have changed my approach to ceramics. My current work is much more precise and intentional than it was in the beginning. I find that each piece now has a purpose. Spending more time in the studio over the last six months has allowed me to build a level of skill I didn’t have before. I’m able to spend more time on each piece, focusing on the details and refining techniques that bring my ideas to life.


This level of dedication has also allowed me to take on larger, more complex pieces—pieces that reflect both my growth and my ambition as an artist. I love creating works that feel substantial, both in size and in the story they carry. It’s exciting to imagine all the future possibilities as I continue to develop my skills and style.


Looking Ahead: Excited for What’s to Come


What excites me most about this journey is knowing that I’m only just beginning to scratch the surface. I’m eager to keep challenging myself, to try more ambitious projects, and to explore ideas that push me creatively. The thought of creating bigger, more intricate pieces brings a sense of both excitement and gratitude.


Each step in this journey—each cracked bowl, each new glaze, each moment of breakthrough—reminds me that ceramics is more than just an art form; it’s a mirror of my own growth. Embracing change has become an essential part of my work, and I look forward to discovering where this path leads, one piece at a time.




I’d love to hear from you: Please feel free to leave comments, share your thoughts, or ask any questions you may have. For more behind-the-scenes content, follow me on on Instagram and Facebook at Your Sister's Pot Shop. I also encourage you to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on new pieces and blog posts. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to continue sharing this creative journey with you.


Explore My Collection: Visit my shop to see the latest creations and find a piece that resonates with your story. Every purchase supports an artist’s dream and helps me continue to create from the heart. Let’s build a community that values courage, creativity, and the beauty of handmade art. I can’t wait to see which piece speaks to you!

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