Meet Our Members: Kayla Stanski @inkedceramics

When did you first fall in love with pottery?

In 2014, I did a 6 week sculpting course where I first touched clay. I loved it. After the course was finished, I didn’t touch clay again for years until late 2022 where I took a beginners throwing class in Calgary. Again, life got in the way and it wasn’t until I moved back to Windsor-Essex and took class at Ford City Potters in late 2024 where I truly caught the bug and haven’t looked back. I like to mix both throwing and sculpture into pieces and hope to incorporate other materials, like wood and stained glass, in future projects. 

How has working with clay made a difference in your life?

It has been a creative outlet for me to relax and put that energy towards creating something. I’ve always gravitated towards hands-on hobbies and really love making a mess lol.

Do you have a favourite piece you’ve made so far and what is the story behind it?

I really love the Japanese Oni Mask I made. It was the first time since first sculpting where I tried to make something that took quite some time and required a lot of patience and skill. I like to take a lot of influence from art, especially tattoo art inspiration, and transform it into clay. 

Japanese Oni Mask.

What is your favourite tool?

A good metal wire scratching tool and circular rib. 

What is your favourite clay?

My favourite has been a black stoneware. I did recently get into marbling multiple clays together which has been cool.

Marbled bowls, using black and white stoneware.

Best local food?

I love going out for breakfast and am a Tecumseh girl, so it has to be the Sandwich Nook.

What do you like to listen to when you work?

Usually listen to true crime/crime shows or 90s/early 2000s pop punk. 

What is your next potter goal or skill you’re most keen to learn?

I want to keep sculpting different things, and figure out what I really like to do. I also want to focus on throwing bigger pieces. I’m quite new to pottery so I really just want to put in the time to get better and learn from others.

Kayla will be leading a sold out workshop on how to make these frogs on March 11th.