Coastal excursions and walks on the beach helped inspire ceramic artist Heather Knight to make modern pieces you want to reach out and touch.
The artist: Born in Houston, Knight grew up in various cities throughout the South. She attended the College of Charleston and later earned a degree in ceramics from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. After graduation, Knight worked as an art teacher at the Greenville County Museum of Art in South Carolina.
The business: In 2007, Knight opened Element Clay Studio in Asheville as a ceramics co-working space to subsidize her expenses and to have a comfortable work space.
As her success grew on etsy.com and tenants dropped out, the studio evolved into a solo operation. Knight realized she could do her business full time and focused on developing her unique line.
She relocated from Asheville to Savannah in 2016. The studio sits behind her 1929 bungalow and is made of recycled shipping containers.
The goods: Hand-made porcelain clay dishes, tiles and decorative objects, often in white, that make a statement on a table, a wall or in any room.
Known for: Highly textured wall tiles, available in black and white ($195 to $1,500).
Other favorites: Decorative and functional bowls ($20 to $495), influenced by botanical and marine life, including corals, seashells, seed pods and succulents.
Favorite studio tool: Chopsticks. She has “tons of them.”
What’s next: Exploring wall hangings and lighting.
Where to look and buy: elementclaystudio.com. Also etsy.com
Get social at: elementclaystudio on facebook and instagram.
