In an former veterinary clinic-turned-clay studio just outside of Plainwell, Michigan, Heidi Fahrenbacher creates a whimsical Bella Joy Pottery line.
To produce her unique collection that includes functional mugs, tumblers, vases and hanging planters, Fahrenbacher created her original designs on a potters wheel. She then fabricated the plaster molds she uses to recreate her originals using liquid porcelain. Each piece is finished and glazed by hand in bright color palette.
When you look at Heidi Fahrenbacher’s pottery, you see rainbow colors and some times unicorns (Her unicorn mug with gold polka dots is a popular new addition to her product line.) But what customers don’t see are the challenges she had to overcome to make a life for herself as a successful professional artist.
From personal loss to physical setbacks, changing her major and moving her studio out of a chicken coop on her parent’s property to a building of her own, tune in to this episode to hear talk about her creative journey and what she learned along the way.
Shop Bella Joy online here and check out her work in person Wednesday – Friday from 1-4 p.m. (or by appointment) at 11933 Doster Road, Plainwell, Michigan 49080.
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Upcoming CraftSanity Appearances:
I’ll be vending and demonstrating on the new CraftSanity Kindred Loom Collection at the Wine & Wool Festival at Sandhill Crane Vineyards in Jackson on Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Michigan Fiber Festival at the Allegan County Fairgrounds August 19 & 20. You can check the looms out in my Etsy shop, too. I just wove a poncho on the newest loom in the collection. Check it out on Instagram.
P.S. If you don’t know how to weave and want to learn, get in touch. I’m going to be teaching workshops in West Michigan this summer and I’m willing to travel.
8 comments
The idea to make this mugs using liquid porcelain seems to very creative, it’s been rare that using this method.
Thank you for your helping hand.
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