Meet the Artist
A Road Paved by Clay
It was over 50 years ago that I first put my hands to work in clay and this began a life journey
that I could not have planned. There was a strong historical connection between the East and
West as I was learning in college and my first group of work in my 20’s was making dinnerware.
I sold in the early 80’s through a store, Japan Artisans in New Hope, PA.
The austenacious era of the 80’s then had a large influence on my work as I saw the easy sales
in ceramic, one-of-a-kind jewelry. I built a 10 year business selling at the national wholesale
accessory shows at the New York piers. It was a detour from my initial interest in pottery but it
also afforded me to buy a home and a studio which sustained my work moving forward.
Clay is not only about the products that are made; it is about connections between people.
Early on I got a graduate degree in Creative Arts Therapy and went on to create art programs,
in clay and other mediums working with different populations. I worked another 10 years as a
ceramics instructor at Wagner College on Staten Island. The next 25 yearsI worked at the
Waldorf School of Princeton, creating a Sculptural Arts program for the grades 1 - 8. Throughout these years I was also working in watercolor painting which strongly influenced the pottery I was making and the work slowly became more colorful and I began to incorporate sgraffito, a method of carved in lines and areas.
This has brought me to the present where I can now devote my full time to my studio work.
I bring you here examples of the work I am making. I sell in local craft fairs and my studio is
available for visits. Though the pieces are each individual, work can be ordered with some
variation. I am able to ship my work.
Pamela Shafer Pottery
These pieces are now made of porcelain and are high fired for durability. The surface is painted
with ceramic colors and then carved with tools, sgraffito, for more detail and clarity. They are
safe for the dishwasher, the oven and for a short warm up in the microwave.
I work with nature forms, flowers, leaves, trees, and wind, sometimes adding animals like birds,
fish, turtles, or snakes. I am strongly influenced by the seasons as we move through them, in
both color and plant life. Rather than seeking realism, I am influenced by the combinations of
shapes and colors in the landscape around me.
Nothing brings me more joy than when people send me photos of pieces they have bought,
vases with flowers on their tables, their favorite mug they use each morning, a serving dish
featured on their dining room table.
I make work that is made and priced to be used daily. It is meant to enhance the ordinary in
everyday life and create a special mood or focus.