StCao Ceramics
From her studio in the Pacific Northwest, Steph Cao moulds clay into beautiful homewares.
Hello, who are you?
Hi! I am Steph Cao, Owner and Operator of StCao Ceramics in Seattle, WA. Although I am originally from New England, for the past seven years I have been making a home with my husband and our pup Ken in the Pacific Northwest.
How did you find your passion for ceramics?
When I was younger, I loved playing with polymer clay, so I guess I’ve always been partial to working with my hands. In college, I studied Architecture and Design at UMass, and while pursuing a minor in Studio Arts, I was introduced to ceramics. Enrolment for ceramics classes were sought after, so it wasn't until my senior year that I was able to get a seat. From then on, I was in love. All I wanted to do was spend my time making pots, and when I wasn’t making pots I was thinking about pots. I was hooked.
What is your process of making? Do you always plan your pieces before you begin, or do you often experiment?
It’s a mix of both. When it comes to dinnerware, there’s more planning involved. I want to make sure each bowl or cup is designed well to be comfortable for everyday use. When I make vases or other decorative pieces, I might have an idea of what I’m going for, but it’s fun to sit at the wheel and see what happens! Ideas often come while I’m falling asleep, so I keep a notebook by my bed to jot down some notes or make some quick sketches. Then, I’ll try to prototype some ideas out.
What inspires your designs?
Well, when I was studying architecture, I was heavily influenced by the simplistic and natural elements of modern Scandinavian and Japanese design. I was lucky enough to study for a semester in Copenhagen at the Danish Institute for study abroad. The Pacific Northwest has been equally inspiring, especially with regards to my patterns and colour palette.
Describe your workspace for us.
My workspace is a studio plus storefront setup, shared with two other artists. One is a glass blower, and the other makes leather bags, as well as soaps and candles. It’s off of a street that has a weekly farmer’s market year round, which helps bring some traffic into the studio. People can come see us work and shop at the same time. Without this space, I don’t think I would have been able to make the jump to doing ceramics full-time so soon and I am so grateful for it.
What is your favourite aspect of clay making?
All of it! I love the utilitarian aspect of clay. Being able to turn a ball of clay into something fully functional is so exciting. From the throwing, to trimming, to glazing, I love it all. I’ve been throwing altogether for about six years now, and it hasn’t gotten old and only more inspiring with time.
I was reading about your sustainable packaging. Can you tell us a little more about this? And you also have a bottle cap collection box at your studio?
Being sustainable and eco-conscious to the best of my ability is something that has always been very important to me. I try to buy packaging that is eco friendly, meaning boxes and bags that are made from recycled materials, no bubble wrap, and paper or plant-based tape! If I ever send things out with bubble wrap, it’s often reused from packages sent to me or picked up from local shops. Shipping ceramics without bubble wrap sounds risky, but there are biodegradable alternatives that work just as well. I find they also make the packing process more fun!
Yes! There is a bottle cap collections box at my studio. Regular recycling can’t process bottlecaps, so as a way to help build community, we thought it would be nice to have a local bin where people can take their bottle caps to. When the bin is full, we send it to get properly recycled.
Seattle, United States
