ABOUT 406 POTTERY LESSONS
The space and the Potter
I am a local teacher, mom and potter with 10+ years of pottery experience.
I’m dedicated to creating functional, handmade pieces that are meant to be used and enjoyed every day. Most of my time is spent at the wheel, where I shape forms that balance simplicity, durability, and have a little personality to them. Every now and then, I step away from the wheel to explore slab work, which allows me to experiment with different textures and forms. I love how clay will hold a story of how it was handeled.
I’m especially drawn to personalized orders—there’s something meaningful about collaborating on a piece that’s made specifically for someone’s home or routine. Whether it’s a favorite mug, a serving bowl, or a custom set, I love bringing individual ideas to life through clay.
The creative energy of other potters continues to inspire me, and I find real joy in the process itself—from the first pull of clay to the final firing. My goal is to make work that feels both personal and practical, pieces that become a natural part of everyday life.
My studio is a space that holds just as much meaning as the work created inside it. It was thoughtfully designed and hand-built by my dear friends Jonathan and August Ternegal owners of Up And Away Timbers, with the help of many generous hands along the way. Their care and craftsmanship shaped not just a structure, but a place with real heart.
Tucked away within an urban setting, the studio feels like a quiet sanctuary—a small retreat from the pace of everyday life. It’s a place where creativity can unfold slowly and intentionally, where the rhythm of making takes over, and where each piece begins its life grounded in calm and focus.
-Bonnie Smith
About Clay Atelier
The Founder
Bonnie Smith, the owner and founder of Clay Atelier is a local teacher, mom and potter with 10+ years of pottery experience. She is dedicated to creating functional, handmade pieces that are meant to be used and enjoyed every day. Most of her time is spent at the wheel, where she shapes forms that balance simplicity, durability, and have a little personality to them. Every now and then, she'll step away from the wheel to explore slab work, which allows her to experiment with different textures and forms. Bonnie loves how clay will hold a story of how it was handeled. The creative energy of other potters continues to inspire her, and she finds real joy in the process itself—from the first pull of clay to the final firing.
The Space
Tucked away within an urban setting, the studio feels like a quiet sanctuary, a small retreat from the pace of everyday life. It’s a place where creativity can unfold slowly and intentionally, where the rhythm of making takes over, and where each piece begins its life grounded in calm and focus.
The word atelier comes from French, where it originally described a master artist's workplace shared with apprentices and assistants. Clay Atelier is a space that holds just as much meaning as the work created inside it. It's a space that makes ceramics accessible to all artists, no matter their skill level. The studio is available both as a private rental and through scheduled open studio sessions, giving artists flexibility to work on their own timeline or alongside others. All the tools and equipment needed to create are provided on-site. Whether you're here for a few hours of open studio time or settling in for a longer stretch of focused work, the studio offers room to breathe, to experiment, and to simply be present with the clay.
Clay Altelier was thoughtfully designed and hand-built by Bonnie's dear friends Jonathan and August Ternegal, owners of Up And Away Timbers, with the help of many generous hands along the way. Their care and craftsmanship shaped not just a structure, but a place with real heart.
