* 24 new spots open this Saturday at 12pm CDT

* 24 new spots open this Saturday at 12pm CDT

See yourself from an artist’s point of view

If you were a piece of pottery, what would you be?

What form would you take?

Would you be angular or organic?

Would your surface feel rough? Smooth?

Would you be bright? Earthy? Subdued?

Welcome to Personified in Pottery, a project that turns your personality into a piece of art.

How it Works

Enrolling

After reviewing available options, complete the checkout process for your desired Personified project type. Within 24 hours of your order, you’ll receive a welcome email to begin.

Questionnaire

In your welcome email, you’ll be invited to fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire has guided and open-ended questions that help me get to know you. I’ll learn about your best traits, how you see yourself and how others see you, what you view as important in life and living, and those special quirks that make you, you.

Designing

I review your answers and sketch ideas. When your piece’s design is complete, you’ll receive an email summarizing my impression of you and letting you know the making process has officially begun.

Making + Delivering

For the next ~12 weeks, I’ll be in the studio crafting your Personified piece. After getting to know you, sketching, testing, making, drying, firing, glazing, and firing again, your piece will be carefully packaged and shipped to your door. In your box, you’ll also receive a personal letter that explains my perception of you and how it’s reflected in your piece.

Examples
Examples
Read more
Read more

Personified in Pottery is currently sold out.

Sign up for the email list to get notified when spots become available.

If you use autofill to complete this form, it may not work. Please be sure to type each form field and select the “Sign up for news and updates” button before submitting.

NEW: Hand Held Gift
$350.00

From birthdays to weddings, housewarmings to holidays, and major milestones in between, Hand Held Gifts are a great way to celebrate those we love. In this Personified option, you’ll describe a special someone’s strengths, quirks, style, desires, dreams, and more with the help of a guided questionnaire. Your answers will inspire the final piece that celebrates their unique character.

Hand Held Gifts are made with 3-5 pounds of clay. This intimate form is meant to be interacted with, so a focus is placed on textural elements, center of gravity, and dimension.

In the Hand Held Gift category of Personified in Pottery, you have the option to select the type of piece you’d like me to make (or, you can let me choose):

  • Flower Vase

  • Serving Bowl / Platter

  • Bottle Set

  • Wall-Hanging

*This is a great group gift idea, and all members of the group are encouraged to answer questions about the recipient and contribute to the creative process.

NEW: Statement Gift
$600.00

From birthdays to weddings, housewarmings to holidays, and major milestones in between, Statement Gifts are a great way to celebrate those we love. In this Personified option, you’ll be guided through a written questionnaire that helps me understand the recipient’s strengths, quirks, style, desires, dreams, and more. Your answers will inspire the final piece that celebrates this special someone.

Statement Gifts are made with 7-10 pounds of clay, allowing them to take on imposing and dramatic form. These pieces are designed to catch the eye from across the room.

In the Gift category of Personified in Pottery, you have the option to select the type of piece you’d like me to make (or, you can let me choose):

  • Flower Vase

  • Serving Dish Set

  • Pedestal Bowl

  • Table Lamp

*This is a great group gift idea, and all members of the group are encouraged to answer questions about the recipient and contribute to the creative process.

Hand Held
$300.00

Hand Held pieces are made with 2 to 4 pounds of clay. This intimate form is meant to be interacted with, so a focus is placed on textural elements, center of gravity, and dimension.

Common objects made with 2 to 4 pounds of clay include dinner plates, pitchers and vases, ramen bowls, and bottle sets.

Petite
$200.00

Petite pieces are made with 1 to 1.5 pounds of clay. With their limited size, these pieces rely on precise form and design to offer a window into who you are. Every detail on a small piece matters, so each is made with the utmost intention.

Common objects made with 1 to 1.5 pounds of clay include cereal bowls, tea cup sets, bud vases, reed diffusers, and succulent planters.

Statement
$500.00

Statement pieces are made with 6.5 to 8 pounds of clay. Their size allows them to take on imposing and dramatic form; these pieces catch the eye from across the room.

Common objects made with 6.5 to 8 pounds of clay include table centerpieces, serving platters and bowls, large vases, lamps, and planters.

Large
$400.00

Large pieces are made with 4.5 to 6 pounds of clay. Their size allows them to take on dramatic form with room for embellishment. These pieces are meant to be the focus of any display area.

Common objects made with 4.5 to 6 pounds of clay include serving bowls and plates, standard vases, and book ends.

Statement Vessel
$600.00

The biggest option in Personified in Pottery, Statement Vessels are made with 8 to 12 pounds of clay. This allows them to take on imposing and dramatic form, measuring up to 24” in height. Their size gives plenty of room for one-of-a-kind shapes, surface textures and carvings, and unique glaze combinations.

There’s only one defining characteristic of a vessel: it has to be able to hold something. So from pedestal bowls to amphoras, double-walled floral vases to multi-piece towers, the opportunities for how you will look as a piece of pottery are endless.

This Personified option is perfect for those looking for a centerpiece with a story.

Couple's Version
$500.00

What would your relationship look like as a piece of art?

Tell me all about your special connection. From how you met and your favorite activities together to the qualities you make shine in each other and your hopes for the future.

The Couples Version of Personified in Pottery includes an optional virtual interview in addition to the couples questionnaire.

Your piece will be a physical memento of your relationship and the love you share. Made with 4 to 8 pounds of clay, it will take on dramatic form with room for embellishment, meant to be the focus of any display area.

Common objects made with 4 to 8 pounds of clay include serving bowls and platters, large vases, book ends, table lamps, and sculptures.

Click each option to see full description

  • From birthdays to weddings, housewarmings to holidays, and major milestones in between, Hand Held Gifts are a great way to celebrate those we love. In this Personified option, you’ll describe a special someone’s strengths, quirks, style, desires, dreams, and more with the help of a guided questionnaire. Your answers will inspire the final piece that celebrates their unique character.

    Hand Held Gifts are made with 3-5 pounds of clay. This intimate form is meant to be interacted with, so a focus is placed on textural elements, center of gravity, and dimension.

    In the Hand Held Gift category of Personified in Pottery, you have the option to select the type of piece you’d like me to make (or, you can let me choose):

    • Vase

    • Serving Bowl / Platter / Tray

    • Jar / Container

    *This is a great group gift idea, and all members of the group are encouraged to answer questions about the recipient and contribute to the creative process.

  • From birthdays to weddings, housewarmings to holidays, and major milestones in between, Statement Gifts are a great way to celebrate those we love. In this Personified option, you’ll be guided through a written questionnaire that helps me understand the recipient’s strengths, quirks, style, desires, dreams, and more. Your answers will inspire the final piece that celebrates this special someone.

    Statement Gifts are made with 7-10 pounds of clay, allowing them to take on imposing and dramatic form. These pieces are designed to catch the eye from across the room.

    In the Gift category of Personified in Pottery, you have the option to select the type of piece you’d like me to make (or, you can let me choose):

    • Vase

    • Serving Dish Set of 2

    • Pedestal Bowl

    • Table Lamp

    *This is a great group gift idea, and all members of the group are encouraged to answer questions about the recipient and contribute to the creative process.

  • Petite pieces are made with 1 to 1.5 pounds of clay. With their limited size, these pieces rely on precise form and design to offer a window into who you are. Every detail on a small piece matters, so each is made with the utmost intention.

    Common objects made with 1 to 1.5 pounds of clay include cereal bowls, tea cup sets, bud vases, reed diffusers, and succulent planters.

  • Hand Held pieces are made with 2 to 4 pounds of clay. This intimate form is meant to be interacted with, so a focus is placed on textural elements, center of gravity, and dimension.

    Common objects made with 2 to 4 pounds of clay include dinner plates, pitchers and vases, ramen bowls, and bottle sets.

  • Large pieces are made with 4.5 to 6 pounds of clay. Their size allows them to take on dramatic form with room for embellishment. These pieces are meant to be the focus of any display area.

    Common objects made with 4.5 to 6 pounds of clay include serving bowls and plates, standard vases, and book ends.

  • Statement pieces are made with 6.5 to 8 pounds of clay. Their size allows them to take on imposing and dramatic form; these pieces catch the eye from across the room.

    Common objects made with 6.5 to 8 pounds of clay include table centerpieces, serving platters and bowls, large vases, lamps, and planters.

  • The biggest option in Personified in Pottery, Statement Vessels are made with 8 to 12 pounds of clay. This allows them to take on imposing and dramatic form, measuring up to 24” in height. Their size gives plenty of room for one-of-a-kind shapes, surface textures and carvings, and unique glaze combinations.

    There’s only one defining characteristic of a vessel: it has to be able to hold something. So from pedestal bowls to amphoras, double-walled floral vases to multi-piece towers, the opportunities for how you will look as a piece of pottery are endless.

    This Personified option is perfect for those looking for a centerpiece with a story.

  • What would your relationship look like as a piece of art?

    Tell me all about your special connection. From how you met and your favorite activities together to the qualities you make shine in each other and your hopes for the future.

    The Couples Version of Personified in Pottery includes an optional virtual interview in addition to the couples questionnaire.

    Your piece will be a physical memento of your relationship and the love you share. Made with 4 to 8 pounds of clay, it will take on dramatic form with room for embellishment, meant to be the focus of any display area.

    Common objects made with 4 to 8 pounds of clay include serving bowls and platters, large vases, book ends, table lamps, and sculptures.

FAQ

Hands shaping a clay vase on a pottery wheel in a pottery studio.

  • While you will be given the opportunity to exclude a category of pottery that you do not want to be (a vase, for example), there isn’t an opportunity to choose the category of pottery you will be reflected as.

    The beauty and fun of this project is that your piece is an artist’s perception of you. I will not choose your category arbitrarily.

  • The prices for this project are set for individual pieces. However, I may feel inspired to create more than one piece based on your submission, and you will have the first opportunity to purchase any additional pieces I create.

    If you choose not to purchase, you may see that additional piece shown in galleries, listed for sale, or used in advertising.

  • This is a great gift idea, and I would love to do this for someone of your choice.

    If you would like get this as a surprise for someone, or to remember a loved one who has passed on, please be sure to purchase one of the “Gift” categories available.

  • Progress updates are provided, but progress photos are not included in those updates. By enrolling, you’re agreeing to a final reveal at the end!

  • Making a piece of pottery is a multistep process. From throwing and forming to carving and refining, firing then glazing then firing again, making a piece of pottery takes weeks. I will only create pieces I am proud of and can stand behind, so I do not rush this process.

  • Part of this project is being comfortable with the unknown. Before enrolling, please take the time to review my work to see if you like my creative style.

    In the rare instance that someone is dissatisfied with their piece, I will work with them one on one and make every effort to make things right. Partial refunds are possible, but full refunds are not because of the time invested into this type of project.

Testimonials

  • "My experience with personified in pottery was absolutely magical. The initial questionnaire was so fun to reflect on and fill out. The follow up questions and interactions with Ellery were incredibly sweet and heartwarming. Somehow the actual pot I received was even better than the journey. When I opened it I almost cried, I feel so seen through this work of art. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a way to reflect, connect with and celebrate themselves, or simply get some rad art with a cool story."

  • "What a unique experience! An opportunity to be honest with yourself as Ellery has deep, but intentional questions to start the process. Personified is an opportunity I would gift to myself or others over and over and over again."

  • "It's so cute and so thoughtfully done. I want to get one for my friends and family!"

  • "This was an amazing experience!! I had so much fun participating and giving Ellery the freedom to express herself and give me a window into my heart! I love my piece so much and it will forever hold a place of honor in my home."

Meet the Artist

Ellery Kemner

is a Chicago-based ceramicist exploring themes of perception, presentation, and self-adumbration.

Her current project, Personified in Pottery, explores the veil between who we believe and present ourselves to be and how we are perceived by those around us.

Back to Top
Back to Top