Meet Victoria, the VP of The Ceramic Shop!

Victoria has been with The Ceramic Shop since 2011! Starting in our retail store in Port Richmond, she’s seen the Shop grow into what it is today. And now, she wears one of the most important hats of all: Vice President! As a leader, confidante, and support system, Victoria is always available to be your biggest cheerleader. We couldn’t do any of this without her! "I received my BFA from Tyler School of Art in 2011 with a concentration in ceramics. That same year, I took a job working for The Ceramic Shop. Since then, I’ve continued to stay active in my art career, designing and selling work for the bohemian lifestyle brand, Free People, as well as over 70 independent retailers across the United States. In 2020, I welcomed my first child and was promoted to Vice President at The Ceramic Shop. Since then, I have taken a hiatus from making work, but I still manage to squeeze in a studio session here and there. I am expecting my second child before the end of this year, and hope to resume my studio practice more regularly in 2025. In my role at The Ceramic Shop, I have the unique opportunity to utilize my experience and knowledge of the ceramics industry to help contribute to the company's growth. I am passionate about empowering artists by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed in their creative pursuits. It is truly rewarding to be part of a team dedicated to fostering artistic expression and connecting with a community of creators.

Meet Jess T (aka JT)! She has worn many hats with us, from quickly managing web orders and assisting with dry material orders to her current role in our retail store. Jess is a kind and thoughtful team member, always eager to support her coworkers. Her adventurous spirit and gentle nature is truly a delight to have on our team!

“I went from my primary form of expression being photography, which I still love deeply, to a few years ago wanting to challenge myself and try something completely new to me. I hadn't worked with clay outside of junior high, but have always had an appreciation for handmade pieces, being an avid collector of ceramics found at antique malls, flea markets, etc, admiring the different shapes and forms. I threw myself onto the wheel in an intro class and quickly found a place of fulfillment, in creating my own functional pieces by hand. Exploring the endless possibilities with clay has provided me with a great sense of joy. There is also such a wonderful, supportive community amongst artists which makes creating even more fun and collaborative. I've benefited from how much patience it requires from you, and how much I keep learning as I go. In the past year I've started participating in community wood firings as well and have found another place where I feel excitement and eagerness to expand.” - Jess

Meet Andrew, a member of our retail store team!

“I’ve been an artist my whole life. My parents would always say I was born with a piece of clay in my hand. At a young age I would buy colorful plastilina and polymer clays as the soft texture was easy on my hands, reusable and long lasting. I love sculpting and take a lot of inspiration from nature and the environment when constructing my pieces; I plan extensively on all of my art projects, researching materials and experimenting with textures, shapes, and forms. 

I love working with clay as it is a great structural material to build with and upon. I have a diverse background working with a variety of materials and mediums, as I like to rotate my art mediums frequently. I can switch from painting in acrylics, to making jewelry, then back to ceramics. I love combining materials from all my mediums into ceramics to experiment with new textures, patterns, and surfaces. Working at the ceramic shop has allowed me to try new and different tools as well as to help make my own. One of my favorite “nontraditional” tools I love to use are balloons, they’re great for building hollow forms and great to help dip pieces in glaze.” - Andrew

Meet Olivia, our Head of Plaster Production

“I've been an artist almost my whole life. My favorite thing is to experiment with different mediums. I got my degree in painting, but I have found a love for so many different kinds of art and ways of creating. Ceramics is such an amazing artform- I have really been able to play and experiment and find my unique style. I love creating whimsical environments that are colorful and dreamy. I am most inspired by architecture and natural landscapes, and combining the elements of both. I always get excited when I get a new idea or see something in real life that I want to make a sculpture of. Working at the Ceramic Shop has been great for me because I get to work with my hands every day and create products for amazing ceramicists to use. It also gives me access to incredible tools, clays and glazes that I cannot resist buying ALL the time!” - Olivia

Meet Nicole, Our Backorders & Wheels Specialist!

“Here at The Ceramic Shop we have artists immersed in a multitude of mediums! I myself have dabbled in everything from ceramics to theater arts, and many more. During lockdown, I spent much of my time delving deeper into the digital arts and learning Photoshop skills. One day I drew a silly cartoon of my dogs just for fun. Soon, this blossomed into my own small business creating personalized pet portraits, and even inspired me to begin writing and illustrating a children's alphabet book! Whether it be a memorial drawing for a beloved pet or a fun tool to help kids learn, I hope to leave behind some more joy and positivity in the world through my artwork.” @doodledogz528 / @nhf_artist - Nicole

Meet Lydia, one of our valued Customer Service Representatives!
Lydia wears many hats in customer service but the one she wears best is kindness! Lydia truly embodies the golden rule by consistently showing compassion and kindness to all. She never hesitates to help a teammate or customer and you can always count on her for a laugh. The team just wouldn’t be complete without her! Lydia graduated from Juniata College where she majored in psychology and minored in ceramics.

“I have developed my preferred style experimenting with different techniques throughout the years. Supply shortages have forced me to consider how I am utilizing resources and how to find meaningful purpose in my art. This January, I decided to dedicate my work to topics I feel strongly about. Each month, I choose a different organization or non profit I want to donate 30% of my proceeds to. I hand draw and paint the topics on my pieces. This month, I have chosen to donate to Project Puffin with the Audubon Society! You can see my current work at @lydiajoyceramics” - Lydia

Meet Emma, our School Accounts Manager!
Emma is a Temple University graduate who has been with The Ceramic Shop since 2021. Emma is truly a dream to work with. Her silly sense of humor and professional demeanor makes for the best kind of coworker. Emma’s hard work and can-do attitude has been a fundamental part of growing our school account department. Emma, You are truly a gem.

“I always like to preface that I went to business school, so if I can do this, then anyone can! Ceramics is something that has always caught my interest, and I am very fortunate to have a career that crosses paths with it. I work in the school department here at The Ceramic Shop, and I truly love it. Working with local schools and art centers is such a pleasure. Not only do I get to work with the wonderful people running them, I get to help out their students as well (:” - Emma

Meet Aimee, our retail store’s assistant manager!
She graduated from Arcadia University with a BFA in Ceramics and has been on the team for a little over a year and a half. Aimee plays an integral part of the retail store’s operations. Friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful - she’s quite literally a ray of sunshine. Our customers love her, and so do we!

“I love getting to answer questions about glazes and kilns. I also run our local firing services and enjoy getting to be a part of the creating process as well as getting to load and fire the kilns. In my practice, I’m all about making what makes me happy. I’ve been really into functional ware recently and have a love for sculpture and abstraction. I’m excited to keep exploring!” - Aimee