Tired Mommas & Sugar Jars

Lately, I’ve been working on two very different—but equally fun—clay projects in the studio.

First, the Tired Momma sculptures, which capture that beautifully chaotic, sleep-deprived state of motherhood. These figures are piled high with laundry, bags under the eyes, and a general aura of “just trying to make it through the day.” I’ve had so much fun shaping these small, expressive forms, letting the clay tell the story of exhaustion and love all wrapped into one.

On the wheel, I’ve been experimenting with enclosed forms to create a set of sugar dishes—something special for my mom’s 70th birthday. I really enjoyed throwing these in miniature sizes off the hump, which allowed for quick, playful iterations. There’s something so satisfying about shaping a tiny form and carefully closing it in one smooth motion. But I also challenged myself to go big, using 5 lbs of clay to enclose a larger flour jar for the kitchen. That was a whole different beast—keeping the walls even, maintaining the structure, and finally sealing the top without collapsing the whole thing definitely kept me on my toes!

For finishing touches, I experimented with underglaze decals, glossy glazes, and a little gold luster, adding some shine and detail to these snug-fitting jars. I can’t wait to present them to my mom next weekend—hopefully, they’ll be the perfect addition to her coffee area!

I’ll be sharing more videos and posts of the process soon—because there’s nothing quite like the magic of shaping a simple lump of clay into whatever wild idea comes to life in my mind. Stay tuned!