California Modern
It’s been a little while—I’ve been busy exploring a few new directions this year. A big focus was sharpening technique and craft. I spent five days at a pottery retreat on Fogo Island, Newfoundland, and came home with more than I left with.
One area I really wanted to dive into was surface design and glazes. Until now most of my pieces have used single glazes or simple colorways. This time I experimented with layering glazes so they react with one another, creating more dynamic, organic surfaces.
Here’s one piece that came from that exploration. It leans into that relaxed California modern vibe—clean lines, soft forms, and a playful, natural glaze reaction.
The Bingham Ramen Bowl
I take a commission now and then, when it sparks something. This one did. I'd never thrown a ramen bowl, and the Binghams' was a good puzzle: a wide 8–9" rim narrowing to a base half that size, lifted on a pedestal. The form traces back to Japan; the glaze I pulled from home. Deep Pacific Northwest forest greens, layered until the inside looks like a glistening forest floor.
Complexities of Jars
Jars are tough. Clay shrinks about 12% in the kiln, so lids must be imagined larger at the wheel. Every rim, gallery, and shoulder gets adjusted. The lid has to seat snugly—not rattling, not binding—so I test, trim, and refit until it does. I love the challenge; a lid sliding into place after firing feels like a small triumph.
With Love from Fogo
Coffee mugs—everyone loves them, but handles are tricky. I skipped handled mugs for years. Then a day with Sarah Fulford on Fogo Island changed that: we dissected mugs, tried handle styles, and I left obsessed.
Back in El Cerrito I threw the same silhouette for two months: base like a bowl, walls angling inward, rounded bottom that fits the palm, plus a fingertip dimple for balance. The handle’s still a work in progress, but good enough to share.
Made in three clays—Night, Red, Speckled—with varied glazes on the Outsize forms. Each reacted differently. Fun experiments; more refining to come.
A day learning about handles
Uncover the Beauty of Clay in Everyday Life.
Welcome to my calm corner! I’m Catherine—a potter, product designer, and dachshund mom. I create small-batch ceramics with intention and a touch of imperfection. Each piece is inspired by California’s modern aesthetic and handcrafted in my studio.
I believe in making everyday objects that are grounded, honest, and quietly beautiful. Whether you're looking for a timeless mug, a thoughtfully shaped bowl, or a plate that enhances your daily rituals, I appreciate your support for handmade products. Thank you!
About Catherine + the Studio
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DescriBatacan Ceramics is made entirely by me, Catherine. I'm a potter, product designer, and dachshund mom. It's a small community studio, so I personally throw, trim, glaze, and fire every piece by hand. There's no team and no factory; when you buy from Batacan Ceramics, the mug or bowl in your hands was shaped by mine.ption text goes here
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Batacan Ceramics are made by hand in a community studio in El Cerrito, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Every piece is thrown, glazed, and fired here in small batches. The work is rooted in a California modern aesthetic: clean lines, soft organic forms, and layered glazes inspired by where I live and work.Description text goes here
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Description text goes hereBatacan Ceramics has a "California modern" aesthetic: clean lines, soft organic forms, and layered glazes that react in the kiln to create dynamic, natural surfaces. I make grounded, honest, everyday objects meant to be used rather than displayed. Each piece is shaped with intention but guided by the clay, so it feels quietly beautiful and a little imperfect.