Big News

Please know that I remain grateful every day for your support.
My Etsy shop – Clay Born Textiles – was on hiatus, but is now back with new products and prices that include free domestic shipping.

Featuring my original artwork

My Etsy shop has 12 vibrant designs to appeal to lovers of nature, birds, the oceans and the natural world – choose your favorite motif or spirit animal. Available in Chickadees on Pine Boughs, Crab, Dragonfly, Fish, Gator, Heron, Hummingbird, Monarch Butterfly, Octopus, Sea Turtle, Sunflower & Tree with Birds – so why not put the fun & funky in functional art.

Introducing 2 New Products (Drum Roll, Please!)
– Take A Look For Yourself

Wine Totes

– AVAILABLE IN 12 PATTERNS –

This insulated tote continues to delight even after the wine is gone… these wine bags make an all-occasion gift – or just because it is wine o’clock someplace.

Made in the USA of 100% neoprene with a comfy handle, machine washable (let air dry) and stain resistant, they measure 15.25″ x 6.5″ and fit a 25oz – 34oz bottle

Wall Clocks

– AVAILABLE IN 12 PATTERNS –

This insulated tote continues to delight even after the wine is gone… these wine bags make an all-occasion gift – or just because it is wine o’clock someplace.

Made in the USA of 100% neoprene with a comfy handle, machine washable (let air dry) and stain resistant, they measure 15.25″ x 6.5″ and fit a 25oz – 34oz bottle

Clay Born Textiles can still be found in shops across the USA, but these pieces will not be available in stores, only on Etsy and at my studio. More products will be added by the end of the summer.

Many thanks for your support,

Signature: Nancy

July 28th, 2022|

What’s Next

I first sold my pots after graduating college, displayed on my Indian print bedspread in Yellow Spring, Ohio in 1972 (with my mom offering guidance on how to do it better).

From basement workspaces to a backyard light-filled studio, from retail craft fairs to selling directly to stores and then adding textiles…50 years seem to have flown by.

What’s next?
I will always love clay but am cutting back to do only custom work and special orders, while building my textile business.

Nancy Salamon selling mugs in Ohio 1972

Here is a wonderful poem by potter, and poet Jack Troy – a national treasure in the world of ceramics. I will never be in his league but I love the poem.

CONTAINMENT by Jack Troy

I have picked up, moved, shaped,
and lightened myself of many tons of clay,
and those tons lifted, moved, and shaped me,
delivering me to this living-space
I wake and move about in,
space perhaps equal to that I have opened and enclosed
in plate, cup, bowl, jug, jar.
I am thankful no one ever
led me to the pit I’d help to make in Earth,
or showed me all the clay at once.
I’m grateful no one ever said, “There.
That heap’s about a hundred fifty tons.
Go make yourself a life.
And oh, yes, here’s a drum of ink.
See what you can do with that.”
I wouldn’t have known where to begin.

March 2nd, 2022|

Show And Tell (Revisited)

Show & Tell (Revisited)

As a little kid, my favorite school activity was “Show and Tell.”
I may not be a kid anymore, but I still want to SHOW & TELL you what’s new at Clay Born Textiles.

– 2 NEW PATTERNS –
To make an even dozen

– 4 NEW PRODUCTS –
Heavyweight placemats, oven mitts, hybrid mugs & porcelain ornaments

– A NEW 12 PAGE CATALOG –
All Clay Born Textiles products in one place…
Take a look for yourself.

Thanks, as always, for your encouragement and support.
Nancy

February 4th, 2022|

Influencers, Gift Bags, and Sweepstakes, Oh My!!

We’re familiar with the stories of the Unknown Actress who got discovered at a Hollywood soda fountain … or the Unknown Artist who sold a painting at a street fair to a prominent collector looking for new talent. In the craft world, there is (true story) a Maine couple who specialize in the lost art of bookbinding and were commissioned by Bill and Melinda Gates to bind all the books in their library. But how did they meet? No clue.

I admit that I don’t quite get the concept of “influencer” but apparently they are out there…influencing.So when I was asked for products to be included in celebrity gift bags and sweepstakes contests, I figured, “What the heck? Stranger things have happened, right?” And after the craziness that is 2020, maybe I am due for a fortuitous serendipity. Besides being used as part of a prize package, these towels in assorted designs will be given to Josh Groban, Leslie Odom Jr., Andrea Bocelli, Meghan Trainor, Miranda Lambert and Gayle King.

Who knows? Maybe Gayle King will give one to her best pal Oprah. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected! After 40+ plus years as a full time working artist, I am quite ready to be an overnight sensation.

December 17th, 2020|

Some people used their time in quarantine to bake or organize their closets.
With my production pottery on hiatus, I got back to the potter’s wheel…yes, like in “Ghost.”

After mixing dozens of new glazes and rejecting most of them, I finally have some I love. I hope you will love them too.

DATES & TIMES

December 5 – until the shelves are empty
or Christmas, whichever comes first.

11:00am – 6:00pm
(But I am flexible if you need something else)

HOW WILL IT WORK?

Please use the signup genius link or call / text 484-643-3208.
2 people at one time – it’s not a huge space –
and please, please wear a mask.

ADDRESS

349 WEST BARNARD STREET | WEST CHESTER, PA 19382

Studio entrance is located off Wayne Street in the alley
between West Barnard & West Miner Street

November 25th, 2020|

Artsy Shark Feature

 

Clay Born Pottery & Textiles was featured on Artsy Shark! Founded by Carolyn Edlund, Artsy Shark promotes artists and their artistic vision and inspiration.

Check out the article here.

February 19th, 2018|

Made in America, or “The Taxidermist that Wasn’t”

Made in America, or "The Taxidermist that Wasn't"I was too busy actually making things to post this during the recent “Made in America” week. But it did get me thinking about the concept of making things…an activity I have loved since childhood…and how work gets done.

People decry the fact that so much manufacturing has left the USA as companies look for cheaper options. But take heart! Not ALL clothing is made abroad, a website called Makers Row matches small batch designers with factories across the USA who can produce their lines of clothing and accessories at reasonable prices. Who knew?!?

I don’t work with a Makers Row factory, but if my wonderful textile printer in Philadelphia ever quits, I would definitely explore that option. Until then, I am sticking with Top Banana USA.

Instead, I deal with many fine galleries, shops, and museum stores across the country. The buyers are thrilled to be able to carry American made work. In fact, at trade shows, that is the first question they ask.

That’s a lucky break for me, since I am not trained (or trainable) to do anything else – and I still love what I do.

I took an aptitude test in 8th grade. The results came back “taxidermist.” I am not making that up. My mother stormed in the guidance counselor’s to demand to know what kind of cockamamie aptitude test thought her brilliant girl should be a taxidermist. I don’t recall what the guidance counselor’s response was, but I expect he blamed it on the test, anything to get my mom to back off. She was not amused.

July 31st, 2017|

Calling All Coaches

Growing up in the pre-Title 9 era, I did not play team sports other than some killer kickball back in 6th grade. Yes, we had gym class and I was an active tomboy who rode horses, but was never a team sport kind of girl.

Cross Fit West ChesterI never worked with a coach of the athletic variety until I joined CrossFit West Chester 5 years ago…but THAT is a whole different story. Once I get started on that part of my life, I may never shut up.

I knew business coaches existed, but didn’t really grasp how they could benefit me. I have been in business a really long time…didn’t I already know what I was doing? After all, I hold a Ph.D from the School of Trial and Error. Yet, the pottery business is VERY different from the textile business and I had questions that needed answering.

When I had the chance to sign up with Rob Fortier, I decided to go for it… I had listened to Rob’s webinar last summer, which was aimed at exhibitors at NYNow and discussed how to follow up wth potential clients after the show. I was impressed with his knowledge and formulated specific goals and questions for him. We had several phone conversations and e-mail exchanges prior to the most current trade show. He was extremely helpful and it was money well spent. It was an additional treat to meet him in person in NY.

Thanks, Coach!

February 15th, 2017|
Nancy Rasch Salamon   |   Clay Born Pottery & Textiles   ©   All Rights Reserved
349 West Barnard Street, West Chester, PA 19382
CALL or TEXT 484-643-3208   |   FAX 610-436-5003

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