Meet the Maker

Erica

A woman smiling and laughing while working on a pottery wheel, with a green plant and a white wall in the background.

Hi, I’m Erica, the hands - and often clay smeared face - behind Erica Lyn Ceramics.

My journey with clay began in 2023, when I was searching for a creative outlet and a much-needed reset after a challenging year. Sitting at the wheel for the first time, the spinning ball of clay demanded my full attention. Elbow-deep in clay and grinning ear to ear, I was hooked.

I create with stoneware clay and glazes, working both on the wheel and by hand. The wheel indulges my symmetry-loving, detail-obsessed side (trimming is pure bliss), while handbuilding feels more whimsical to me – exploring texture, angles, and all things delightfully imperfect. Clay has a beautiful way of keeping me both calm and curious; it humbles me, thrills me, and reminds me there’s always so much more to learn — both in and out of the studio.

I’m endlessly inspired by the sandy and rugged tones of Monterey Bay’s coastline, where I’m lucky to call home. But the calm coastal aesthetic is only half the story – I also love bold colors, cheeky phrases, and a well-placed naughty word on my pots.

That playful streak, though, is rooted in something deeper: a belief that everyone deserves to live fully and freely however they choose, as long as no harm is done along the way. It’s my personal nod to the yogic principle ahimsa (“do no harm”). I aim to infuse this spirit of kindness and joyful self-expression into every piece I create, and it’s the anchor upon which I’m learning to teach others.

And finally, a quick shoutout to the behind-the-scenes heroes — the studio techs, kiln wizards, glaze mixers, and teachers who keep things running, load and unload kilns, and patiently answer my endless questions. My work exists because of their work.

Thank you for supporting this muddy dream of mine. I’m so glad you’re here.

Reach out :)

Frequently Asked Questions

Unless otherwise noted, all items are food and dishwasher safe, although hand washing will extend the life of your pottery. Microwaving is generally not recommended, as it can affect the longevity of the piece. Items with gold or metallic accents or wire must never go in the microwave since they contain metal.
I do not offer custom orders at this time. Once I have my own kiln that might change, but for now I’m focused on creating small, joy-filled batches.
Handmade pottery is a slow but magical process. Each piece may take several weeks or longer from start to finish—throwing or handbuilding, trimming, altering, sculpting, drying, bisque firing, glazing, and firing once more for the final finish. Add in cleaning, reclaiming clay, and the few pieces that don’t survive the journey, and that’s how long it takes before I have a piece I’m proud to share.
All items are carefully wrapped, packaged, and shipped from California to anywhere in the continental United States via USPS or other carrier of our choosing. At this time, we do not ship internationally.
Combined Shipping: All items going to the same address will be combined where possible.
Processing Time: Packages are shipped, and tracking numbers are emailed within 7 calendar days of purchase.
Delivery Estimates: We cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, but if you’d like faster (more expensive) shipping, please reach out before placing your order.
Local Pickup: Free local pickup in Monterey, CA may be arranged at a mutually agreed-upon location and time.
Please double-check your shipping address and email before checkout!
Oh no, what a bummer! If your piece is broken during shipping, please email photos of the damaged product(s) within 24 hours of the carrier’s delivery timestamp. We’ll work together on a solution—either a refund or replacement, depending on the situation.
If a package goes missing after being marked as delivered, the customer is responsible for submitting a claim directly with the shipping carrier.
The short answer is it wasn’t meant to be. Handmade pottery is not meant to look “perfect” like mass-produced ceramics. Variations in shape, glaze, and surface texture are part of the beauty and uniqueness of handmade work. Rest assured, quality is paramount to my process, and every piece is inspected to meet my standards before shipping.
No returns or exchanges. All sales are final.
I anticipate having new product available every few months. Sign up for my Shop Update Newsletter so you’re one of the first to know (4-6 emails max per year).
Stay tuned!
This question makes my heart so happy! I teach classes in Seaside, CA at Monterey Clay Studio in Seaside, CA. I list the link to sign up for my class and others on my Local Resources page.
Send me a message here: Contact Form