Meet Woodstock-based artist, Catherine Shope, the visionary behind our bespoke limited-edition clay mug & sipper cup. In a candid conversation, she shares insights into her journey, inspirations, and the magic of molding dreams out of clay.
Q: How did you get into pottery? "Growing up, I always loved playing with mud outside and making little figures out of air-dry clay. I've always been someone who experiences much joy in creating, and so I knew at a very young age I would be an artist. In high school, I took a structured pottery class and ended up falling in love with it. I graduated with a BFA in Studio Art with a Concentration in Ceramics from Reinhardt University and started my business a year after graduating."
Q: What makes you unique in your field? "I'm not like most people my age, because of the path I've chosen to pursue. Being so young and starting a business is scary, and as a result, my time is consumed by it. I work by myself in my garage all day with mud. To me, that's out of the ordinary."
Q: How do you like your coffee? "With lots of cream and a little sugar. I will never pass up an opportunity to get a seasonal latte at Bizarre ;)"
Q: What's your favorite part about working with clay? "Clay is so different from other art mediums because you physically feel it while you work, and I love the feeling of clay in my hands. Pottery allows me to have direct contact with the art, making my pieces unique because the marks my hands make can't be duplicated."
Q: What fuels your passions? "My love of the craft fuels me to keep going. The process is lengthy and time-consuming, but with the joy that comes from each finished batch, I'm reminded to trust the process. It's like Christmas morning every time I get ready to open a kiln load."
Q: What is your wildest dream? "My wildest dream is to play professional basketball wherever that may be and to never have to work a day in my life. So far, I'm living the latter, but playing professional basketball is definitely the wildest of the two dreams.
In the heart of Woodstock, where the gentle hum of creativity blends with the aroma of freshly brewed Bizarre coffee, Catherine is sculpting more than just clay mugs—she's shaping dreams. As you sip from one of our custom-made cups, let the magic of her artistry inspire you and make your day a little bit better.
