Melissa Weiss from Melissa Weiss Pottery

A conversation with the Asheville, North Carolina based potter, teacher, and wild clay forager, Melissa Weiss! Melissa talks with us about everything from how she began using wild clay to how her process and rhythm has changed over the past couple years to her current clay hiatus while she works on an advanced EMT Certificate.

We discuss the art of hollowing out / carving clay to create a vessel (known as Kurinuki in Japan) and how this technique shaped her work (as well as some tips and tricks!). Melissa also describes her method for processing 2000 lbs of clay from Arkansas every year, her inventive practice for gas kiln reduction, mixing glazes, running a community studio space and breaking clay rules.

Other topics include: food motivated cats, frozen clay, being a rebellious teen, word blending, MedMath, and the Freedom House Ambulance Service.

Go wild,
Aimee & Clare

Our theme music is by Nick Thompson-Brown at @wayitworksmusic