By Jillian Risberg

Stacie Carangelo calls pottery a tactile art; she loves the feel of the clay and pressure needed to manipulate the ceramic material.

“I love the journey of how a lump of clay can turn into a piece of art,” Carangelo (a nurse practitioner by day) says that includes the chemistry of the glazes and all the mishaps that can happen along the way. “If a piece is not dry enough it can blow up in the kiln or the glaze is too thick or thin the colors may not turn out as expected; happy accidents.”

What she aims to say with her creations is ‘pick me up, hold me, use me, feel the weight of me, see how smooth I am, admire my colors.’ 

A few of Carangelo’s own favorites are her salt pigs, mugs, berry bowls and soup bowls. 

Day-to-day activities inspire her work like planting a plant or cooking dinner.

“Seeing the shape of a bowl, mug or pot and asking myself, ‘how can I alter this to make it more functional and fun,’” says the potter.  

Carangelo uses stoneware clay. Once she throws a pot on the wheel, it needs to dry to what is called the leather hard stage, and that’s when she trims excess clay off and further refines the piece.

Next the clay gets put through its first firing (called bisque ware) in the kiln.

“At this stage I can glaze and decorate the pot,” the artist says. “Finally, it goes through a second glaze firing and is ready for use.”

She enjoys making utilitarian pieces that can be used everyday like a mug for a cup of coffee, salt pig or berry bowl. 

According to the National Gallery of Art, pottery making was among the earliest of American crafts; with clay, abundant wood for firing kilns and capable craftsmen present in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

In archaeological and ethnographic records exist several examples of pottery production centers that acquired a reputation for producing good quality cooking ware.

The most rewarding part of this journey is knowing when someone uses one of her pots or mugs they are holding a work that her hands touched and created.

“It makes it very personal,” says Carangelo, adding that she likes to challenge herself — try new shapes, designs, glazes, and throwing techniques. “Sometimes pieces are how I envisioned and other times not so much.”   

Besides pottery and ceramics, the artist enjoys exercising, crafting and spending time with  her family, volunteering her time as a girl scout leader.

The potter would like to expand her brand by creating larger pieces such as planters or lamps, and thanks her husband and children for supporting her and her hobby.

Her lifelong love of ceramics started around age 11, when her middle school art teacher recognized how much she enjoyed throwing on the potter’s wheel and allowed Carangelo to practice during and after school. 

“I do craft shows two times per year,” the artist says. “My pieces are currently for sale at Just Jersey in Morristown. My next craft show will be at St. Mark’s Church in Mendham on May 6.” 

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/craftywednesday.