Studio Notes: June

A love letter to June and all the inspiration summer brings with it.

It’s taken me a minute to catch my breath after back-to-back production weeks, but I’ve finally exhaled. With a little more space in my schedule, I’ve been pulling inspiration for what COSA’s next form might be. My notes are full of ideas, one of them being a ceramic light fixture I’ve been designing for my kitchen. I’ve also been dreaming up a new ceramic object. Let’s just say it has something to do with daily rituals and the art of getting ready. I won’t give it all away just yet, but I can’t wait to show you what’s brewing. Here’s a little sneak peek at what’s been on my moodboard.

Lately, I’ve been craving more freedom to explore again. I love production ceramics so much, and I wouldn’t trade this work for anything. But I do miss the joy of making something just because. So this coming month, I’m carving out time to experiment—new glazes, playful forms, pieces that don’t need a full photoshoot or a restock countdown. Just one-off objects I love and maybe you will too.

A small win I’m celebrating is having an entire kiln batch of mugs come out perfectly. If you’ve worked with clay, you know how rare that is. Every piece has to pass through so many checkpoints before it ever reaches your hands. There’s usually something that cracks, warps, or chips along the way.

This time, nothing broke. No cracks. No surprises. And the difference in technique was nothing profound, just the simple art of slowing down. I’ve been refining my drying process and getting super intentional with greenware handling, especially when it comes to mugs and their handles. I found the sweet spot for when to attach the handles, and once they’re on, I wrap each mug in plastic and let it dry slow for 2 weeks. It’s helped prevent uneven drying and reduced stress on the joints, which is often where things go wrong.

With the shift in seasons, I’ve also been working on a new studio playlist. It’s the kind of mix that feels like a hot summer day. Here’s a little sneak peek.

In more practical (but still exciting) news: I’ve officially started wearing gloves in the studio. After one too many production days, I realized I had literally worn my nail down to the point it split. It was horrifying and I couldn’t throw for weeks. I joked that I’m going to become a ceramic urban legend—the girl who threw so much her nails fell off. Anyway, the good news is I found thin gloves that protect my hands without getting in the way. If you’re in the clay world, protect those hands!

This month also held one of my favorite moments so far—hosting my biggest workshop yet at Cottage Bleu. We had hotcakes, handbuilding, saffron lattes, fresh squeezed OJ, and the loveliest group of people. These workshops have been such a fulfilling part of my journey, and let’s just say, there are more on the horizon… exciting announcement to come soon ;)

And lastly, a little Eternal Note update. The collection has grown to include the Love Letter Mug, Heirloom Plate, and the Keepsake Seashell. Fun fact: the mug was actually the very first form I imagined for the Eternal Note. It’s wild to think how that one idea turned into something that now sits at the heart of COSA. I’ve always said one of my favorite things about clay is how it can outlive the person who makes it. And that’s exactly what this collection is about—preserving moments, honoring memory, and leaving something meaningful behind.

Thanks for being here,

x
Karina