Ceramic artist Maya of Melissa Maya Pottery has sold more than 1,000 handmade ceramic pieces – mugs, planters, plates, you name it – since she opened her Etsy shop in 2013. A certified yoga teacher who once lived in the jungle of Costa Rica, Maya spends her days making pottery in her one-car garage, looking after her one-year-old daughter, and seeking moments of stillness to recharge her creative batteries.
We caught up with Maya to talk clay, creativity, and what it’s like to make someone’s favorite mug.
How did you get started in ceramics?
I went to college at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. I was majoring in glass at first, and then I started to get sucked into the ceramics program, too. I think what drew me to ceramics is how tactile it is. When you’re working with glass, you can’t touch it – especially hot glass – and you can’t hold it or form it. You always have to be using tools.
With ceramics, it’s such an intimate process: you take the clay, and you shape it with your hands. There’s something very meditative about it. You’re sitting at this wheel, and you can’t center it unless you’re sort of centered yourself. If your mind is off, you’ll see it in your pottery. You have to be present in that way.
Ceramics are also very functional. Glass can be delicate, but ceramics you can use in your daily life. If you give someone a mug, they aren’t going to think, “Oh, I have to put this on my shelf and never touch it.” (At least, I hope people don’t do that with my work!) I want to make things that live in someone’s house – like, really live there. I want them to have a plant in my planter, you know?
I saw on your About page that you spent some time abroad. Can you tell me how that experience influenced your work?
After art school, I needed a break from making anything. I lived in New York City for a while; after that, I went to the Omega Institute. While I was there, I met the man who would become my husband, and after Omega we were like, “Well, all of our stuff is in storage, where are we going to go?” So we went to Costa Rica. I wanted to do a yoga teacher training, and I found a place there. We lived in the jungle with monkeys, right on the beach.
While we were there, I was always figuring out ways to make things; I realized that I needed to do that. I was sewing some, but you could hardly find any decent fabric. I was also drawing and sketching, and coming up with ideas. I guess it influenced me in that way – I thought I needed to stop for a while, and I realized when I did stop that I wanted to keep making things.
How did you start selling on Etsy?
I graduated from college in 2008; I remember hearing murmurings of this thing called Etsy that was cropping up. That stuck in the back of my head, and then I went and did all these different things – meditation and yoga stuff. When we moved to Denver, I was making things and tweaking my ideas, but I wasn’t in love with what I was making enough to put it out into the world. I had a lot of anxiety – I wanted to make sure it was really what I loved before putting it out there. So I took some time before I opened my shop. My first couple of sales were to people I know like my mom and my sister, which is nice. I remember getting my first couple of real sales, and it was so exciting to be shipping off to people who didn’t know me.
Where do you create?
I work in my little one-car garage, attached to my house. I do all of my throwing in my studio, and then I have a kiln where I bisque fire all of my ceramic work. I also do all of the decorating by hand in my studio, and then I take my decorated work up to a ceramic guild nearby. I make my own glazes there, and then do the glazing and the final firing in their kilns.
You make all your own glazes! What’s that process like?
I always feel like a little bit of a chemist, because I have a scale, and I’m weighing all of the powders out. I learned how to do that in college. I love making my own glazes because you can tweak them a little bit here and there. It’s really a process. Fortunately, I work out of an electric kiln, so that creates a very stable environment. I can find a glaze that works and is pretty consistent, which is really what I want out of my work. I like having consistency so I can do made-to-order work and people can expect an idea of what they’re getting, even though everything is going to be a little different here and there.
How would you define creativity?
For me, being creative is stepping back a little bit. Especially nowadays when we have so much input – you know, the computer, TV, phones. My creativity usually comes from taking a minute to daydream and just put all that stuff away. To be quiet, with nothing coming in, just letting myself just sort of drift off. Sometimes, you have to put aside time for that. It’s like, “Yeah, okay, now I’m going to be quiet.” That’s where a lot of creativity comes for me. When you have input, input, input, it’s hard to be creative. I have to purposefully stop looking at everything.
What are you trying to achieve with your pottery?
Whenever I’m creating a design, I’m very much interested in it being beautiful. I want it to look really nice when it’s sitting on your table, or in your cabinet. I’m also very inspired by the function of a piece: for a mug, I want it to feel really good when you hold it. I want it to be your favorite mug. You always want to reach for it in the cabinet, and you clean it by hand if it’s in the dishwasher because you don’t want to use a different mug. I want to make that kind of thing in your life, that feels good to use, and you really have a relationship with. Everybody knows what it’s like to have a favorite mug, it’s like, “I love it! This is my mug!”
How does it feel knowing you’re making someone’s favorite mug?
I love that! That’s one of my favorite things to think about with this work. Sometimes I’m just sitting in my garage working on stuff, and then I realize after it’s all done and shipped out – it’s going to a person’s house and leading this whole other life. Maybe it will be their favorite mug, or maybe they’ll give it to somebody, or maybe it will survive for a decade, or a couple decades. Especially with ceramics, because they can hold up. I mean, we have ceramics that we dig up from the ground from thousands of years ago. Who knows?
Thanks to Maya for sharing her story with us! Follow Maya on Instagram to keep up with her work.
All photos by JLC Pottery and Melissa Maya Pottery.
Shop Melissa Maya Pottery
156 comments
Shulamit Raanan from ShuliDesigns said 5 years ago
Congrats on a great feature! You are so talented... I love your work!!!! :-) I wish you all the best in the future!
Helen Mills from 1820BagCo said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop congrats on the feature
Svetlana from ErinlesHouse said 5 years ago
Lovely creations! Congratulations! :)
Zoui from XZOUIX said 5 years ago
very nice! minimalist & chic <<<<< <3
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 5 years ago
Lovely items. Congrats on the feature!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature, Maya!! Beautiful pieces!!! I LOVE the black pieces....so dramatic....and the "Practice Gratitude" mug has such a simple but vital message!!! :D
DeUno from DeUno said 5 years ago
Very beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
thedelhistore from theDelhiStore said 5 years ago
How beautiful work you do! Congratulations, well deserved feature.
Vadim Moroz from IconPainter said 5 years ago
Very nice store! Congratulations!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Lenny Mud from LennyMud said 5 years ago
Your work is beautiful! Congrats on the feature and much continued success!!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs, Maya! I enjoyed your story. All the best!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
wonderful designs!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
Congratulations!!
Stavros Dragatakis from DragatakisJewellery said 5 years ago
Chic and minimal! Beautiful designs.all the best.
Niki from JandEdoodles said 5 years ago
Love your story and your designs are simply beautiful. Congrats on the feature!
Julia K Walton from FireHorseVintageHQ said 5 years ago
Very unique and lovely pieces. I especially love the splatter pattern ones :o)
Renata and Jonathan from RenataandJonathan said 5 years ago
Great work. Congrats!
Diana from LeSeForYou said 5 years ago
Wonderful designs! ☆CONGRATULATIONS☆
Craft Adorned from CraftAdorned said 5 years ago
What a delightful shop! Congrats!
IMOrnament from IMOrnament said 5 years ago
Awesome designs! Congratulations!
Cynthia G. from HammerToLace said 5 years ago
I like your creative style. You have helped convince me to take my paint to paper creativity and try glaze to pottery.
Printable Nature from printablenature said 5 years ago
Love the drawn details - congrats!
KP from oldspoolquiltery said 5 years ago
Beautiful handmade work! Congratulations on the well deserved feature!
benna and hanna from bennaandhanna said 5 years ago
beautiful and absolutely right that your creations should be part of someone's life. Congratulations and more blessings!
Catherine Dauphin from DauphinTimeCapsule said 5 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous creations! My sister-in-law has her own studio and sent me a mug she made for Christmas. I will not drink my coffee out of any other. Nothing better than handcrafted pottery made with love. Congrats on your well deserved feature.
ACR from WoodsyWools said 5 years ago
I love your work! I'm off to have a browse...
Cheryl Berry from PretticoateJunction said 5 years ago
Congratulations for sharing your story and your feature. I know how rough that is on the hands at the pottery wheel. Lovely pieces. All the best for a successful future head of you.
Roost Paperie from RoostPaperie said 5 years ago
Gorgeous work! Congratulations on the feature, well deserved!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 5 years ago
Your work show high quality and smart choice of the black and white color pattern. Congratulations Melissa of Melissa Maya Pottery.
stephanie callsen from bannerandsail said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats!
Judy W from JudyHandmadeCreation said 5 years ago
Love your shop! Congrats!!!
kim rhodes-thomas from pinksnakejewelry said 5 years ago
Wonderful Post!!! Beautiful Ceramics!!!
Mary Jo and Rachael from SouvenirAndSalvage said 5 years ago
Beautiful products and love your photography! Congrats on the feature and best of luck in all your future endeavors.
Monica from Monicaj said 5 years ago
Long time fan! Great work!! Congratulations on the feature!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 5 years ago
Beautiful work, congrats on the feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 5 years ago
What a wonderful story and beautiful shop! I have always been fascinated by ceramics. I have watched my son-in-law make some great pieces and I would love to try it myself someday. Congrats on the feature!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 5 years ago
Beautiful art, great feature!
Rebecca and Daniel from HabitNationUSA said 5 years ago
I love the black and white designs of your work. Well done and classic.
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 5 years ago
I love your black and white designs, clean, simple and nice to look at. Your work is nice to the eye. Best of luck on your future endeavors and congratulation on your feature.
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 5 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Maya for sharing your center of peace, wonderful talent, and inspiring arts with us. Peace.
Hadley Sedgwick from hadleyclay said 5 years ago
Yay Melissa! Well done!! You are always an inspiration to me! xo
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 5 years ago
Melissa, I have always admired your wonderful work. I love the modern-contemporary designs. Very well deserved! ♥
Bojana MIcic said 5 years ago
so adorable:)
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 5 years ago
Beautiful pottery much continued success!
Patricia Ramirez from patsdesign said 5 years ago
so cute, Congrats!!
Naama Shprinz from Juli711 said 5 years ago
Stunning works. Keep succeed
Alaskalisky from AlaskaGoldRush said 5 years ago
Great Feature!
Megan C from AlaskaBagCompany said 5 years ago
Wow such stunning work! Congrats!
Asma from AsmaOriginal said 5 years ago
Very beautiful work!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 5 years ago
Awesome. Love the 'take a deep breath' mug. Congrats!
Iris from KlampDesign said 5 years ago
Great work! Congrats! :)
Nancy from HerMajestysPug said 5 years ago
Bravo Melissa!! J'adore your unique designs!! Congrats on being featured!!! And, here's to beaucoup more success!!! Pugs & kisses
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Great work! Congrats!
Amber Hickey from BesosjewelrybyAmber said 5 years ago
Such beautiful pieces! :)
Christina from TheWildPlum said 5 years ago
I. Am. In. LOVE...with this entire feature. I am in love with your work, your way of seeing, centering, creating and being art. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Congratulations Melissa.
Bootlegger Candles from BootleggerCandle said 5 years ago
Really cool shop! Can't wait to get one!!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 5 years ago
Your shop is beautiful!! Modern day pottery..love it!
D Buczek from sutaszula said 5 years ago
nice story! Your shop is beautiful!!
greenphilosophie from greenphilosophie said 5 years ago
?????
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 5 years ago
So great work!!
Rada Danilovic from RadArtaDesign said 5 years ago
Beautiful work and shop :) Congratulation!
desertearthjewelry from DesertEarthJewelry said 5 years ago
Your pottery is gorgeous. Congrats on the feature!!
Jovita from alabatis said 5 years ago
Pottery is so cute! Congratulations!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 5 years ago
I love your artful mugs! Congats on the feature!
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 5 years ago
Great work! Congrats!
CHIC FLAG from ChicFlag said 5 years ago
Love you work looks fun! Congrats...
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 5 years ago
I really loved reading the feature, and how "present" you need to be to make your items. It sounds peaceful in way. I could definitely go for some silence ; ) Congratulations on the feature. I love your mugs. You really painted a picture when you described how you strive to make someone's favorite mug. Love it!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
Beautiful creations! Congratulations on the feature!
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 5 years ago
Love, Love, LOVE it when potters are featured on etsy! Gorgeous, minimalist work! And, yes, I love the "tactile-ness," of clay, myself! I've always been a "toucher." Even when the bottle of Maple Syrup fell off the grocery store shelf and broke and I got fussed at by my Mama, it didn't stop me from touching things as a child and now, as an adult! CONGRATS on being featured and best wishes for more success! ♥♥♥
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congrats!
Katie Anne from MiddleCoast said 5 years ago
I love the story behind your work! You can really see how each piece is a work of art, literally. Beautiful! One of your pieces may be a new home for a plant of mine! ;)
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 5 years ago
I am glad that you found what you love and your shop is beautiful. It is not easy to find a path for life. Congratulations!
Natalia from Nikifashion said 5 years ago
Lovely cups! Great job :O)
Dorothy Domingo from dorothydomingo said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature! It's so nice to see a potter get recognized!
Cheridah Spaulding from CheridahSpaulding said 5 years ago
Lovely work. I know how it feels to fashion something on a wheel, dry it, bake it and finally finish with a beautiful glaze. Keep up the good work.
Yael Berger from TheJoyofColor said 5 years ago
Love your modern yet very warm and organic designs Maya Congrats for the feature
Lyubov NostalgieDecor from NostalgieDecor said 5 years ago
Wonderful work! Congratulations)))
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 5 years ago
Thank you for sharing your interesting story. Congratulations on the feature of your beatiful shop and much success :)
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 5 years ago
Sorry for misspelling - I meant beautiful shop - I love the designs :)
BonTons from BonTons said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the Feature!
MyMetro from MyMetro said 5 years ago
Simply beautiful. Congrats:)
Niki from CaramelAppleBooks said 5 years ago
Cute! Great job.
Rebeca from SecretDiamonds said 5 years ago
Love your work! congratulations.
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 5 years ago
Very nice ! Is it weird that I am glad to see splashes all over the work area?
Proton ThreeD from Proton3D said 5 years ago
beautiful work, congrats!
Anastasia from LAccentNou said 5 years ago
Congratulations on feature, Melissa! It was nice to see your lovely face and to know your story!
Julie Garland from juliegarland said 5 years ago
Yay! So happy to see you here Maya - your work is beautiful! Congrats! :)
Carolyn Vogel from WoolenBlooms said 5 years ago
I love your designs. Congrats on the feature.
Liz and Phil Van D from lizystuff said 5 years ago
Those are fabulous LOVE them! Congratulations!
Nakkashe from Nakkashe said 5 years ago
Wow, great designs .congratulations . I think this is the craft - unfortunately-I have no talent ...
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 5 years ago
Very beautiful! Simple yet very elegant designs! Congratulations on the feature!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 5 years ago
An international art business right out of your one car garage!!! Where else but etsy! Your passion shows in your lovely workmanship. We wish you all the best in 2016 and as your business grows in the future.
Etrennes from Etrennes said 5 years ago
Beautiful creations and work! Wishing you all the best for continued success!!!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 5 years ago
Such an exciting life you have led! Congrats on the feature and doing what you love :)
Michael from tallbaldmike said 5 years ago
Truly remarkable work.
ArabellaReason from ArabellaReason said 5 years ago
Wonderful designs, congratulations on the feature!
odonata7 from trinketRoad said 5 years ago
Congratulations on an inspiring feature! Loved your mindset of creating special items to send out into the world to make people happy....:)
Shelly Daood from BoundtobeCreative said 5 years ago
Gorgeous, unique creations! Congratulations on the feature!
HummingbirdCraftsLLC from HummingbirdCraftsLLC said 5 years ago
Wow! Very nice pieces. Love the bowl and planters! Congratulations on the feature!
Prayer Notes by Cynthia from PrayerNotes said 5 years ago
Gorgeous artwork! I'm on my way over to your shop to look for a unique item for my husband~
Tammy from Picturality said 5 years ago
Absolutely beautiful work! Congrats!
Larry And Valeria from TheCuttingBoardShop said 5 years ago
Congratulations! Wonderful work and shop.
Michael E. Kmiotek from Kmiotekart said 5 years ago
It must be hard to get work done with a baby nearby. Good for you. I've been away from ceramics for quite a few years, but have found a studio. I plan on making tiles and objects. kmiotekart.com
Michele said 5 years ago
Awesome feature - you make truly wonderful works of art! I grew up on Catawba so know BG pretty well, many of my friends (back a while) graduated from there! : - ) Best wishes for an a successful and happy career- wishing you luck and joy!
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 5 years ago
Beautiful inside and out ! Cheers to much continued success.
ArcanaAntiquities from ArcanaAntiquities said 5 years ago
great work, congrats!
Linda Foerster from HollyCreekHome said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs! I especially love the "take a deep breath" mug - I can envision myself curling up with a nice cup of tea with that mug. Congrats on the feature and a great shop!
Jess Dazzle from RhinestoneDazzle said 5 years ago
Really wonderful and beautiful work made with love. Big Congrats Melissa :0) Well deserved!
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 5 years ago
Very beautiful and unique work. Congrats and wish you much success
Jeeranut Noikhong from ginew said 5 years ago
Nice works, congrats!
wanida kunchiang from wanidacotton said 5 years ago
Beautiful work!
Jeanne S from EclecticSageVintage said 5 years ago
Love your work! It was great to read about your journey and process. Congrats on the feature!
Jo Chan from OneBusySloth said 5 years ago
Love your aesthetic! Congratulations :-)
Carol Wagner from VintageBettyLuke said 5 years ago
What a great story Melissa. Great life experiences!
marybatik from marybatik said 5 years ago
Perfect designs!
Lior Livne from LieblingShoes said 5 years ago
Lovely congratulations!
Vintage De Mar from VintageDeMar said 5 years ago
Amazing story! Art is a journey!
Snazzy Living from Snazzyliving said 5 years ago
beautiful collection. Congratulations.
Inbar Lehavi from Burlinca said 5 years ago
Beautiful products! Congrats :)
Heather from PearlGlasses said 5 years ago
How I wish I could do pottery...looks so therapeutic! Lovely creations and congrats on the feature.
Carol from MasCollected said 5 years ago
Enjoyed reading your feature. I like how much self you put into your creations and your process. Best wishes!
Heather from PixiePlunders said 5 years ago
Beautiful pieces! Congrats on the feature :)
Aurelia Iorga from UpRo said 5 years ago
I like very much what you do.
Melissa Partridge from ColorMelissa said 5 years ago
Gorgeous work!! Congrats!!
Renata Sponn Design from Sponndesign said 5 years ago
Simply beautiful..! Congrats :)
Debbie Krusen from TwinAntiques said 5 years ago
Oh my -- I love black and white! And the simplistic designs are so appealing. Best of luck to you -- keep creating!
M. Browning from EtsyMtsyEveryThing said 5 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations!
Donald Carbino from DCWoodwright said 5 years ago
Great work...! I like your style and execution.All the best
luluxo from luluxo said 5 years ago
So gorgeous! Your work is unique, and that's not easy :)
Kelly from LucyRoseDesigns said 5 years ago
Beautiful Shop, I want everything in it :)
thedesignsenchanted from TheDesignsEnchanted said 5 years ago
Cool unique products! Congrats!!
Lottelovelybunny from Lottelovelybunny said 5 years ago
Wonderful shop and products! Good luck!
Pathumwadee Pathumwan from Hippiegardenshop said 5 years ago
Beautiful art works : )
Zoya Grancharova from HoneyandJoy said 5 years ago
Congratulations for the spirit and work! My family name, translated into English is Ceramic Pottery makers and reading about your way to ceramic handycraft , my heart warmed and I had the feeling of working it itself. You are a great master, you have it in heart and I am sure your prosperity is still ahead. Blessings!
Donna Roberge from DonnaRobergePhoto said 5 years ago
Love your work and your shop, congratulations on the feature!
Richard from LeedsRadio said 5 years ago
What a beautiful shop. I especially like your banner.
Elena Krasnenkova from FrostbergDecor said 5 years ago
You have very beautiful work!! I wish You success!
Yarn shop from PetiteWool said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature!
Minty Sisodia from MintySisodia said 5 years ago
The flower pots are adorable. Congratulations X
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 5 years ago
Your products are so beautiful! Also I love your haircut :) Congrats on the feature.
Yadaluk from Muntra said 5 years ago
Wow!! very beautiful, nice works.
DaisyDogPottery from DaisyDogPottery said 5 years ago
OMG What a cool story! Thanks so much! Love your beautiful simple pieces and the cool decoration! Good luck in 2016 :)
Cheryl Mendenhall from EECustomHorseShoes said 5 years ago
Congratulations on your feature! Love your story and the behind-the-scene photos!
Rasa Rabaciene from PRINTDECOstudio said 5 years ago
Gorgeous!
Susan Borghesi from agardenrose said 5 years ago
Beautiful work..you seem to have the right balance in life between work and play. Honoring that creative space within those quiet moments!
Jeannie Kramer from NanasHousePottery said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature. Your work and story are beautiful! Isn't it a great feeling of satisfaction to be able to do what you love?
Alesha Braitenbach from awakenapothecary said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature; you do really nice work! And yes, you make my new favourite mugs (along with favourite planters and a super-cute ring holder)!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 5 years ago
i love your mugs with written words on them :)
Allison Fretheim from AFretheimCrafts said 5 years ago
Congrats! Your work is so lovely
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 5 years ago
Congratulations on your store feature and business success!
Katy Allgeyer from ArtBarn said 5 years ago
Always impressed by artists who work function into form. Love the simplicity of b & w designs, too--- brava!
Katrin from KatrinKnitting said 5 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations on the feature! :)
Sally from SallysVintageKitchen said 5 years ago
Beautiful work and shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Vesna Antic from VESNAsART said 4 years ago
Beautiful shop congrats on the feature