Handmade ceramics for the California lifestyle.
My story
Danielle Eastman | Founder and Ceramicist at COVET Napa Valley
I started COVET with the vision of creating beautifully simple housewares and decor that would exude the California lifestyle. Easy. Approachable. Elegant. Simple. Each piece is carefully crafted by hand in my home studio located in Napa, CA.
Living and experiencing the Napa Valley has been a huge influence on my ceramics. The connection of earth and craft is deeply ingrained in our community; from restaurants that use fresh, seasonal produce grown in their gardens, our world-famous terroir that expresses itself in delicious Napa-grown wines, and the stunning architecture whose stone, wood, and earth-inspired palates are luxurious and comforting. All of these elements have inspired me in everything I do.
The name COVET came from the idea that pleasure and peace can come from small, beautiful moments. Everyone has the ability to find this for themselves. For me, I really covet the moments when a candle is lit, I’m sipping coffee from a handmade mug and I’m listening to my favorite music to start my day. No matter how the rest of the day goes, I at least had that.
Process of creation
Everything starts as a lump of clay, wedged and then wheel thrown. Once the form is created on the wheel, I allow the piece to slowly dry to a leather-hard consistency at which point I bring it back to the wheel for trimming, refining, and burnishing. If a piece requires additions, such as handles, I make and add them at this time. When the piece is fully formed and refined, I allow it to reach a ‘bone dry’ state before placing it in the kiln for the first firing. At this point the piece transforms from clay to ceramic. The bisque-fired piece is extremely porous, allowing glaze to stick to the form by absorbing the water in the glaze. After glazing the piece goes back into the kiln for a final firing. The dry glaze heats and melts, bonding to the piece. The very final stage is sanding the bottoms of each piece and washing.
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”
- Andy Warhol