My name is Leah Ball, and I make ceramic home goods, cast metal jewelry and accessories in Chicago, Illinois.
I was making jewelry off and on for years before I found a process that felt genuine and uniquely me. It happened when I started repurposing pieces of bronze slag that I found on the floor of the foundry where I worked. The grit and strength of the resulting necklaces spoke to me, so I started carving wax with similar shapes and textures in mind.
Once I had my own jewelry collection, I started doing local craft fairs and trade shows. Brainstorming clever ways to display my work led to ceramics – the second I put my hands in the clay, I was hooked. Not long after I started making ring holders and plates, a teacher introduced me to clay marbling. I felt an instant attraction to this process and spent months working to perfect my technique. Last fall, I launched a small collection.
Marbling porcelain is a many-layered labor of love. Through experimentation, repetition and practice, I’ve started to understand how to control and bend this medium to create patterns and compositions that are veined like marble, striated like cut limestone, and speckled like animal hide. I find it poetic that the colors and patterns of these pieces aren’t merely skin deep — the process imparts detail to the clay body itself, as opposed to just the surface.
I think larger economies and big businesses tend to put a lot of attention on an outcome rather than the work itself; many people are stuck doing work that’s less than fulfilling and seemingly disconnected. Places like Etsy, and local craft fairs and boutiques, help facilitate smaller economies where business owners are intimately connected with both the product and the process. That’s meaningful and fulfilling, and I feel lucky to be a part of it.
Maker photo and tools by Kari Skaflen, marbled clay and kiln photo by Leah Ball, outdoor process photo by Scottie McNiece, final product photo by Angie West.
161 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature!!!
sabina from sabiesabi said 6 years ago
wonderful shop! congrats!
Gabriella Békési-Marton from bmgabrielle said 6 years ago
Fantastic designs, nice workshop! Congratulations on this passionate artwork! Your devotion is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your beautiful imagination and craftmanship! Gabriella
Lesya Harrison from HappyDollsByLesya said 6 years ago
Awesome work! Congrats on the feature!
Anna Protsenko from protsenka said 6 years ago
I love this interview! Very inspiring! And lovely work!
Justine Muffet from MsMuffetsTuffets said 6 years ago
Leah, Beautiful work, beautiful story of your process. Your work is unique--and, so represents your creative progression. I look forward to the continued evolution of your creative process. TAKE WHAT YOU HAVE and MAKE WHAT YOU WANT! It has grown our of your life experience. Justine
TimeValley from TimeValley said 6 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Love the visual softness of your marbled pieces. Their surfaces have almost a dream-like quality. :-)
Tevhide from ottobags said 6 years ago
So beautiful Works ,congrats on the future:-)
Thom Aten from Circa810 said 6 years ago
Leah you have such beautiful work. Congrats on being featured and having a wonderful shop
Beard Oil from BeardOil said 6 years ago
Oh man! You are super talented, Leah!! Congratulations on the feature!!!
Dikla Levi Harel from AssemblageUnique said 6 years ago
Wow!! beautiful shop!! Thank you so much the inspiration, your work is so unique:) Congrats on your feature♥︎♥︎♥︎
Ironwood Candles from IronwoodCandles said 6 years ago
Absolutely stunning work!!
byjodi from byjodi said 6 years ago
Gorgeous work!! Congrats!
Deodorant Shop from deodorantshop said 6 years ago
Gorgeous work, and such an inspiring story!!! :-)
Omur Ozsan from PrintableWallStory said 6 years ago
Great work! They are all one of a kind and I really love all items i n your shop. Congrats!
Sonya Rasi from sonyarasi said 6 years ago
Beautiful work!
TheFigLeaf from TheFigLeaf said 6 years ago
Wow, your marble planters are amazing!
Tam from BarryCarry said 6 years ago
ohhh pure inspire
Bangkokpants Pants from bangkokpants said 6 years ago
Wow ...... Congrat your shop.It's very unique and stylish.
Sam from SamieSam said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! From Evanston, congrats homie!
Elisabeth Arona from AronaDesigns said 6 years ago
Your work is beautiful!
Megan Braswell from inspiringanchors said 6 years ago
That is my favorite thing about Etsy as well is how they are helping to facilitate a smaller economy that helps people continue to do what they love. I also loved hearing how you found your niche and what it was that you love to do!
Lou from RellikJewelry said 6 years ago
Gorgeous!
Irit from MeshuMaSH said 6 years ago
Beautiful delicate work, both in Jewelry, and ceramic ! Congrats ♥
Leanne Stock from ArtePlastique said 6 years ago
Such great talent you have, congrats on the feature, love your shop.
Ann Cosgrove from acbcDesign said 6 years ago
Great work & feature. Congrats!
earlums from Earlums said 6 years ago
Lovely shop! Congrats on the feature!
Mimi Roy from mixedmetalmimi said 6 years ago
Very nice ! MMM :)
Jazmin Marquez from CuteMuseStationery said 6 years ago
Really this is awesome...!
Renata and Jonathan from RenataandJonathan said 6 years ago
Creative and pretty shop! Congrats :)
novavintage from NovaVintage said 6 years ago
I love the organic quality of your ceramics. So unique. Would love to have a set :). Congrats on the lovely feature! xo
tannerannshop from tannerannshop said 6 years ago
Have always loved this shop, great to hear the story behind it!
Kathryn Warren from HailTiger said 6 years ago
Very cool. And you are cute as a button!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 6 years ago
Great design! Congrats!
Lily Sharon from LilySharon said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! Can feel it is all made with lots of love:)
Diahann Mangoni from ClayMeADream said 6 years ago
beautiful pieces!!! congratulations
Helen Mills from 1820BagCo said 6 years ago
Your items are beautiful! Congrats on the feature.
MidwestAlchemy from MidwestAlchemy said 6 years ago
Just beautiful... Congrats and much success!
Patricia Cianflone from FernwaterStudio said 6 years ago
Wonderful, beautiful, inspirational... Thank you!
Natasha Ryan from PinkMidnightJewelry said 6 years ago
Congrats@! Beautiful work.
Aloha Pamela from DesignsnBoutiqueBB said 6 years ago
HI! You are outstanding in your arts ability and I love the cool colors and beauty of the marbling effect to your works and the jewelry is beautiful by the unique character, Congrats and may success always be with you and Great appreciation into your fields of arts!!!!!!!
Erika Kelly from PortlandApronCompany said 6 years ago
Wow your work is beautiful! Congratulations on finding the art that you truly love to make. Sometimes it takes a while to find it, but it's so worth it :-)
Lana Manis from LanaManisDesigns said 6 years ago
Leah, I have enjoyed reading your story and seeing your handmade creations. Best wishes for your continued success!
RuffledRuby from RuffledRuby said 6 years ago
LOVELY WORK!
Jennifer Presler from IlluminativeHarvest said 6 years ago
Very beautiful work!
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop!!!
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat said 6 years ago
It's that intimate relationship with the process of making that gets lost when things are produced in factories. It's what separates the Etsians who are craftspeople & the ones who are purely entrepreneurs. I love buying something that has been made by the hands of the person who sells it to me, I feel a connection that simply doesn't come from anything made by a minimum wage employee, & I know I'm supporting a fellow maker.
Martin Gallagher from MartinGallagher said 6 years ago
Your work is simply beautiful Leah.....congratulations
becaruns from becaruns said 6 years ago
beautiful! congrats!
Elizabeth McTear from HonestAlchemyCo said 6 years ago
Congratulations, Leah! Love your work!
StillVintage from StillVintage said 6 years ago
Your designs are beautiful
Tami Lopez from TamiLopezDesigns said 6 years ago
I have never seen work like this before. It is very beautiful!
Hey Chica from HeyChica said 6 years ago
Your jewelry and ceramics designs are unique and beautiful, congrats!
Judy from GrnEyedGirl said 6 years ago
Nice work, interesting article...congrats!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop! Love your work and photography! Amazing! Congratulations on the feature!
Nicole Neal from Dreamingacrestextile said 6 years ago
Isn't it funny how one passion/hobby can lead to another? I love the porcelain and jewelry, both lovely and unique.
Adriana from ripeshop said 6 years ago
Beautiful work!! Congrats on the feature - I love those marble planters :)
Aga from AgasJourney said 6 years ago
lovely and unique creations! Huge congrats and best wishes!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 6 years ago
Beautiful work, all the best!!
ApronStringVintage from ApronStringVintage said 6 years ago
Lovely items...thank you for sharing your story and process.
leizel from flowerpecker said 6 years ago
Lovely stuff☺
Hadley Sedgwick from hadleyclay said 6 years ago
You are an inspiration! Great feature and amazing work! Congrats on the feature Leah, I hope it brings you even more success!
Katyooshjewelry jewelry from Kattyoosh said 6 years ago
Very beautiful work! You are talking to my heart .the second I put my hands in the clay, I was hooked too. I love what you do,wish you a lot of luck. Katia
Cynthia from SewforYou said 6 years ago
Your items are wonderful! I enjoyed reading your story. Congratulations!
Ashley from StraightFromOregon said 6 years ago
The adore the detail you have put into your work
Lauren Nelson from ArloAndLo said 6 years ago
Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you to featured! You've earned it!!
Hailey from CraftsByHailey said 6 years ago
Your work is amazing! I too am an artist and your account inspires me to continue producing works of art!
Liz and Phil Van D from lizystuff said 6 years ago
Fabulous work! LOVE your shop :-) Congrats on the feature! XoXo
Lisa from AngryHairJewelry said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop. So much variety.
Mike and Jess from JessiesOrientalRugs said 6 years ago
Your marbling technique is so cool! Love your shop!
Patti from ChicModerne said 6 years ago
Wonderful shp! Congrats on the Feature!! :)
Nancy from HerMajestysPug said 6 years ago
Very unique & tres chic!!! Congrats on the feature!!! Pugs & kisses
Diana and Arturs from Woolenfashionshop said 6 years ago
Great products! Congrats!
Amy Clare from ColorsofthePast said 6 years ago
I know porcelain is hard to work with…and your painstaking work has brought magnificent results!
Renate from 2Crafty4You said 6 years ago
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. Beautiful and unique products.
PeachesnCream Studio from PeachesnCreamStudio said 6 years ago
Beautifully unique art! Congrats on the feature!
Joseph Grennon from SculptedVivarium said 6 years ago
your work is so beautiful, great job!
Agnes from BlossomAccents said 6 years ago
Very Beautiful! Your dog is a cutie too!
Trisha from ScissorwizardDesigns said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop. Congratulations on the feature!
Elisabeth Percival from ElisabethSpace said 6 years ago
Oh my, that marbled clay is so dreamily beautiful. Congratulations on the well-deserved feature here. :)
Mo Yan from MoyanFineArt said 6 years ago
Wow! Beautiful work! :)
Fashionate Boutique from FashionateBoutique said 6 years ago
just wow!
Lowe Jewelry from lowelowejewelry said 6 years ago
Cool!
AGORAA from AGORAA said 6 years ago
wonderful work! congrats!
Rada Danilovic from RadArtaDesign said 6 years ago
I like your jewelry!
Sandy Wiggins from SandyWigginsImages said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! Much continued success to you!
Lacote kids furniture from LACOTEKIDS said 6 years ago
Unique and beautiful
Alisa from AlisaDesign said 6 years ago
Great products!
Sonja Bikić from DeepSilence said 6 years ago
I like all this.
Dee Bhat from PinkLotusWorks said 6 years ago
Lovely work!!! Your shop is beautiful.
Gino Escate from Gygante said 6 years ago
Great work! Congratulations!
Leda Design from LedaDesign said 6 years ago
Wonderful shop! Love it!
Megan Bark from HabitatHandcrafted said 6 years ago
Gorgeous shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Alexandra Simons from BlueMoonLights said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats on the feature!
Jillian Brown from Terraromarific said 6 years ago
I love your products!
Christine from arcsinejewelrydesign said 6 years ago
Absolutely beautiful artistry! Congrats!!
whiteowl from whiteowl said 6 years ago
Wow. Really gorgeous work.
Techu from MINKARA said 6 years ago
BEAUTIFUL ITEMS.!!! Nice jewellery and delicate pieces :-) Congratulations on the feature !
Maya Rumsey from MelissaMayaPottery said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats on the feature!
thedelhistore from theDelhiStore said 6 years ago
How inspiring story! Love your work!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 6 years ago
I love the marble affect. Very nice work. Congratulations on your feature.
Safe Harbor Boutique from SafeHarborBoutique said 6 years ago
I agree with you on having that connection with your art, to be intimately connected with both the product and the process. I love Etsy for creating that medium for that creative process in all of us. You are a perfect example of what that is all about. Your clay marbling is beautiful and you are an inspiration. Thank you! Jana
Martha Aguilar from ArteOtomi said 6 years ago
Beautiful!! thanks for sharing. Martha
Rachelle Castiglione from SugarPopCrochet said 6 years ago
What a joy to read! Congrats!
Patti Jacob from envisionandCREATE said 6 years ago
Your work is lovely and shows your fine attention to detail! Congratulations on your feature!
Nick & Margaret from SkySaddleSwings said 6 years ago
What refreshing ceramic works! Thanks!
Jess from ButteifulGirls said 6 years ago
Beautiful and unique, a pleasure to read. Congratulations on the feature and the success of your shop. Best, jess
Janine from IndependentReign said 6 years ago
Beautiful creations! Love hearing how much these sellers enjoy their work!
carole from TeaTimeVintageShop said 6 years ago
Beautiful work,,congratulations on the feature!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 6 years ago
great interview and your jewelry and ceramics are so amazing!!!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 6 years ago
Wonderful marbling porcelain color, beautiful work. You spoke the truth about our society.
Sara from UrbanFarmhouseTampa said 6 years ago
Love Your Designs. Beautiful Shop!
Vasilinka from VasilinkaStore said 6 years ago
Awesome! Congrats on the feature!
Kameliya Kiricheva, Cveti Velinova from BOOHOOstudio said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! Good luck!
Celena from DaintyLee22 said 6 years ago
I simply love to see this kind of work on display! Also So neat to see the ceramic looking in its "Clay" State Thank you!!
glitterandstones from glitterandstones said 6 years ago
I love the marbling planters. Congratulations on the feature!!
Monika from MozakNaPasiCeramics said 6 years ago
beautiful items! congrats on the feature!
Deb Vasbinder from BabyCuteBaby said 6 years ago
Very Beautiful Work! Congrats on your feature!
vik and ig from Craftelina said 6 years ago
Very glad to read about your work. Thank you!
Vitali Komarov from komarovart said 6 years ago
Very talented!
Lilia Vanini from liliavaniniboutique said 6 years ago
Beautiful work!
Pam Allgood from GodsWordandWorld said 6 years ago
Leah, I love that your determination, talent and hard work create such beauty! So many give up before their desires are realized. Congrats not only for the feature, but for the success at being able to work at what you love!
CasaModa from casamoda said 6 years ago
congrats
Niki Brown from loddonlily said 6 years ago
Congratulations! What gorgeous and unique work!! :)
Jenny Taylor from shopFieldStudy said 6 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Beautiful creations.
retrominx from PetticoatsByLori said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats!
infromawalk from infromawalk said 6 years ago
beautiful & unique product.
KC from TheDirection said 6 years ago
Loving this feature (and your hair!).
Zoui from XZOUIX said 6 years ago
Amazing indeed! keep up the good work, Leah :)
leizel from flowerpecker said 6 years ago
gergeous work,congratulation.x
Allison Dendulk from desertdustjewelry said 6 years ago
Beautiful!
AwShucks from AwShucks said 6 years ago
Love the way you talk about your work and the creative process in general!
Tay Zul from Tayzul said 6 years ago
Congrats!!! Love your pieces...
BonTons from BonTons said 6 years ago
Lovely designs. Congratulations on the Feature
Gwynne Collins from DaysLongGone said 6 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
AtticJoys1 from AtticJoys1 said 6 years ago
Absolutely beautiful pieces. What a gift you have. Congrats!!
Marietta from blueroompottery said 6 years ago
Congratulations on the beautiful feature, your work is so delicate. I am always glad to see a fellow potter featured! Beautiful work! Wishing you continuous success and lots of sales xox
Katie Franklin from LeHoneyPot said 6 years ago
Gorgeous work!!! Natural Talent
Tiffany Brown from ReikiRisingArts said 6 years ago
Wonderful creative process! Love the outdoor work space.
Jessie Casteel from westbyron said 6 years ago
gorgeous, amazing ceramics.
WindowDressingShades from WindowDressingShades said 6 years ago
you are turning marble into beautiful works of art...amazing work!Congratulations!!!
kimberly eckroth from covetandginger said 6 years ago
Leah, your work is stunning.
Alice Bioff from Atmik said 6 years ago
Very nice. Beautiful craftmanship!
Erika Iozsa from JasminBlancBoutique said 6 years ago
Fantastic work, great aesthetic and wonderful craftsmanship! I am a great admirer of you beautiful porcelain work!
ina 'stella' ka from Radiantcollection said 6 years ago
Amazing!
Stephanie Hadjipsalti from PaperStitchScissors said 6 years ago
lovely shop! congrats! :)
Sharon from YearsAfter said 6 years ago
Beautiful work!
Dennis Smith from fluxglass said 6 years ago
Awesome unique shop! Congratulations!
Ashley Sarkisian from JohnnieBlueBowTie said 6 years ago
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous shop!! I definitely need one of those hanging pots, and the jewelery is amazing!
Becca Koopmans from wearlovenow said 6 years ago
Beautiful feature. Congrats and thank you for sharing.
Rayna Grace from graceandjewels said 6 years ago
You are very talented! Love your items!
Mandy Spivey from TastefullyMismatched said 6 years ago
Your shop is inspiring, thank you for sharing your story.
Liza from NatureClassics said 6 years ago
simply interesting talent, good luck!!!
alexistanbulll from justforangelsjewelry said 6 years ago
Congratulations on a very, very unique and nice work .
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 6 years ago
amazing and deat work - thank you :)
Sherry R. from Sharsjewelrysplash said 6 years ago
Very unique and creative.
Vasilinka from VasilinkaStore said 6 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations on the feature! :)
Cutie Expressions from CutieExpressions said 6 years ago
Love your work! Very unique shop.
Shawna Fosket from NorthshorePrints said 6 years ago
Very artistic!! Love your work!!
Olga A. from Decordafrique said 6 years ago
Leah, beautiful work! congratulation:)
Sirikuwan Thipkum from tantawanlights said 6 years ago
Beautiful...