You know the feeling when the last puzzle piece gets pressed in, or when you find a pair of jeans that hugs your bum like a dream, or when your leftover quinoa schlop matches the exact holding capacity of your Tupperware container? There’s just something special about a seamless fit. 

These beautiful pairs of Stacking Cups are made on the potter's wheel in our freshly up and running Small Batch Studio. This is a one time run and won't be offered again, so if these catch your eye, act fast!  

Stripey vases and squat latte cups? Trying not to burst at the seams because we have exciting news! If you’re scratching your head wondering what the Small Batch Studio is exactly, let us explain. This spring, we launched a new department at East Fork tucked in the corner of the production floor and headed by potter and artist Amanda Hollomon-Cook. In the interview linked below, we talk about their art practice, the goal for the Small Batch Studio, and some very special upcoming projects. 

If you’re a local and want to see some of Hollomon-Cook’s work in person, head over to The Black Mountain College Museum, where they are part of the current group exhibition, Materials, Sounds + Black Mountain College.  Alongside an impressive line-up of installations, this show includes a collaborative piece between Hollomon-Cook, East Fork and contemporary sound artist Jenn Grossman. On view until August 31st. 

When we think about ceramics, we think about the potter's wheel. Long ago, clay lovers figured out how to make discs spin very fast using a weighted center and some good ol' fashioned elbow grease. The oldest ones date back to Mesopotamia, and even though motor powered wheels are most common, some potters still prefer the analog method.  

Whether you utilize the miracle of electricity or not, all wheels conduct centrifugal force to enable "throwing." Simply put, you toss a lump of clay in the center of the wheel and use your hands to squeeze, lengthen, and form a vessel from the clay. This allowed potters to amplify production, in turn making this tool a backbone of ceramic history. 

One of our wheels lives in the Small Batch Studio, where it gets used to make special projects, one offs, and limited runs. It's a Shimpo Rk-Whisper, with a wooden box in place of the plastic splash pan. This is because Amanda likes to throw standing up! They say it’s better for efficiency, and keeping a strong and healthy back.