GRACE CERAMICS

I’ve been hand throwing pottery for nine years, beginning in high school. It has always come naturally to me and is a meditative, sweet time for me to quietly sit and talk to God. Being behind the pottery wheel, throwing clay, is one of my favorite steps in the entire process of making a mug or bowl. I love watching the dramatic change it goes through in just a few minutes. I’m reminded of Isaiah 64:8, which says, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Just as God molds us into His people, He can transform our lives, passions, and jobs into something for His glory. So is the case for Grace Ceramics. I was selling my pottery at farmer’s markets, breweries, and coffee shops. However, instead of just profiting off my ceramics, I wanted my business to have a larger purpose. So I teamed up with a friend who was preparing to go on a mission trip around the world but needed financial help. I made dozens of beautiful, unique mugs with the world engraved on them. For every piece of pottery that I sold, 50% of the proceeds went toward my friend’s mission fund. I was able to raise almost $500 for her! Months later, another friend was raising money for a mission trip. I did the same thing and helped her reach her financial goal. It’s incredible using a talent of mine to support others! Each mug, bowl, and planter that I hand throw is helping a missionary share the Gospel around the world. Grace Ceramics is a way of getting my business tangibly involved in the Great Commission and helping others. My big future dream is to connect ceramics with occupational therapy. I hope to have a full studio of my own one day, and to use it to treat clients with disabilities. I want to help people with autism, sensory integration difficulties, or mental health disorders find treatment behind the pottery wheel. God can mold anything; we just have to be willing to hand Him our clay.