My fondest memories of childhood are of meal times where food was always prepared and served family-style. Everyone would sit around the table passing dishes. Both of my grandmothers and my mother were/are excellent cooks, and included the children in setting the table. Within my family there are specific serving dishes for specific foods, the everyday to those reserved for major holidays, several of which I now own after both my grandmothers have passed away. The extra efforts, such as pouring milk into a pitcher for your typical Saturday morning breakfast to arranging cookies on the silver-serving platter during the holidays instilled in me values of family and community. These values are at the heart of my functional ware.

Each item is made by hand, beginning with the clay I use all the way through the firing process. My favorite tool is definitely the potter’s wheel, and I enjoy expanding that process through altering and decorating. On this page are representative examples of my current and recent work.

- Amy Nelson