Crafted along the scenic shores of the Pacific Northwest—just north of Seattle, Washington, and overlooking the Salish Sea—handmade glass pottery from Paloma Pottery reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings. Artist Nicole Whitney transforms recycled glass bottles and jars into radiant works of functional art, fusing them into clay to create her signature crackle finish. Every piece of this eco-conscious collection captures light, color, and texture—bringing together sustainability and artistry in a way that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in place.

Nicole’s journey into handmade pottery began in 1995 with her first ceramics class. She quickly discovered a passion for combining clay and recycled glass to create functional art for the home and garden. Since launching her online store in 2001, Nicole has made it her mission to offer affordable, sustainable handmade pottery that’s both beautiful and practical. Inspired by the idea of transforming discarded materials into meaningful art, she began incorporating crushed glass into her work.

“It never ceases to amaze me how something destined for the trash can become art—something not only useful but beautiful,” says Nicole. Now based in Washington State, she credits much of her early development to her mentor Liz Vigoda in Albany, New York. She also draws inspiration from the late Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, whose commitment to socially responsible business left a lasting impression. Nicole proudly donates her pottery to nonprofits and charity auctions, aiming to move others in the same way that so many have inspired her.

Photos by Peter James Photography
Soul Portrait by Peter James, layered images tell the story of Paloma Pottery

To keep our handmade pottery affordable without compromising quality, we use a production line approach that balances artisan craftsmanship with operational efficiency. By organizing our studio work into consistent, repeatable steps, we're able to maintain the beauty and integrity of each piece while increasing productivity. This allows us to offer more competitive pricing—and pass those savings directly to you. Whether you're ordering a single piece or furnishing an entire space, our streamlined process means you benefit from quantity discounts on bulk items and popular home accents. One customer favorite: our glass cabinet knobs, known for their vibrant crackle finish and lasting durability. These bestsellers ship free and are ideal for large-scale home updates, remodels, or commercial design projects. Our commitment to thoughtful production ensures that every piece of handmade pottery we send out meets our high standards—beautiful, sustainable, and crafted to be used and loved for years to come.

Working off the hump is a traditional pottery technique that allows multiple pieces to be shaped from a single large mound of clay. It’s especially useful in creating uniform items like bowls or dishes with greater speed and control. In this step of the process, a handmade pottery bowl is being formed, and the rim is carefully shaped using a wooden potter’s tool. This rim will later hold the crushed recycled glass, creating the signature crackle-glass edge that defines much of our handmade glass pottery. The precise shaping of this lip is crucial—it ensures the molten glass pools beautifully during firing, resulting in a clean, radiant finish.

A handmade pottery ring holder takes shape—its slender post rising from the center as texture is carefully pressed into the clay to give it a natural, organic feel. This tactile surface not only adds visual depth but also enhances grip for rings and small jewelry. As one of our best-selling items, these ring holders have become go-to handmade gifts for weddings, engagements, anniversaries—or simply as a thoughtful treat for yourself.

Many customers tell us the same thing: “It's best to just order two.” Once you see the craftsmanship and charm in person, it's easy to understand why. Functional, beautiful, and infused with meaning, these compact pieces carry the soul of our handmade glass pottery—one intentional detail at a time.

Hand-building is a foundational method in handmade pottery, offering a creative alternative to wheel-thrown work. While the pottery wheel lends itself to perfect circular symmetry, hand-building allows for more organic, freeform shapes to emerge. This technique gives our artists the flexibility to craft unique forms and textures not possible on the wheel.

Square handmade pottery tiles, destined for a custom display unit, are laid flat to dry on repurposed canvas. At Paloma Pottery, sustainability is woven into every step of our process—from the clay to the canvas beneath it. We believe in reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling whenever possible. This commitment to mindful production supports not only our eco-conscious values but also strengthens community ties. By using recycled and locally sourced materials, our unique product line continues to reflect our belief that sustainability and beauty go hand in hand.

Each piece is carefully air-dried to ensure stability before entering the kiln for its first firing, known as the bisque firing. This essential step transforms the clay from its fragile, raw state into a hardened, durable form—ready for glazing and the final transformation into finished handmade pottery.

After the bisque firing, each piece of handmade pottery is stamped with the “Paloma Pottery” mark using iron oxide—an earthy, time-tested pigment that bonds naturally with the clay. This signature not only identifies the work but also reflects the authenticity and craftsmanship behind every item. Once stamped, the bisque ware moves on to glazing, where it will be transformed into finished handmade glass pottery with vibrant color and luminous texture.

Products are lined up, glazed and then the glass is added and loaded into the kiln. Textures and designs in the clay are achieved with natural and found objects (impressing or drawing with rocks, shells, etc.) giving an organic, nature-inspired feeling. These buttons are a special order for Texture Clothing, a local hemp and natural fibers clothing company.

Curious about materials, care tips, or how we create our products? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more insight into the process behind our eco-conscious, small-batch pottery.

The kiln’s heat transforms raw materials into art, melting glass until it flows and bonds seamlessly with the clay and glaze. This is where the quiet alchemy of nature takes over, turning fire and earth into something extraordinary.

When the kiln cools, the artist carefully unloads each piece, revealing the results of fire, glass, and clay working in harmony. The fused glass surface is silky smooth to the touch, shimmering with rich, layered colors and textures. Every creation is designed to be both functional and beautiful—pottery that serves daily life while standing as a piece of art. The semi-porous crackle glass finish, like on the recycled glass soap dish shown below, makes it a thoughtful and versatile gift, perfect for anyone who appreciates craft and sustainability.

Our online gift shop is fully stocked and ready for you to explore. With over 50 handcrafted treasures available, Paloma Pottery’s boutique offers a delightful collection of unique pieces—each designed to bring beauty, function, and artistry into your everyday life.