First Impressions: Botanical Custom Ceramics by Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware

Delicate biological remains and impressions in stone that for all their fragility have endured for ages, fossils in nature are incredible survivors.  Botanical imprints in custom pottery not only add unique natural signatures to the ceramic pieces but also evoke the quiet strength and beauty of fossils.

Custom Cremation Urns by Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware at CustomMade.com

The botanical custom ceramics of Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware begin with walks in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where CustomMade artisan Suzanne Crane gathers genuine wild plant specimens.

All of my pieces are wheel-thrown using a buff-colored stoneware clay body.  I press plant specimens into the wet clay, and then pull the specimen off, leaving an accurate fossil impression, which gives me a template for glazing.

Here are a few examples from Suzanne’s CustomMade portfolio of the custom made ceramic vases and tiles with graceful botanical imprints she’s created for her customers.

Custom cremation urns can feature plant motifs and colors of special significance to the departed and family. “I am happy to work directly with you to create a piece you won’t want to hide,” says Suzanne.

Custom Cremation Urns with botanical motifs in colors of your choice by Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware at CustomMade.com

The 11” wheel-thrown vase with red berries features the imprints of real leaves, a green celadon glaze, and clay berries.  They look so real you may have to watch out if people try and pick them!

Vase with Red Berries by Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware at CustomMade.com

Each tile in this stunning kitchen tile backsplash was made by hand with a slap roller and a copper tile cutter.  This combination of botanical motifs and geometric designs would be a great fit for homes with décor styles ranging from Arts and Crafts to rustic and Southwestern.

Kitchen Tile Backsplash by Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware at CustomMade.com

Suzanne can create custom 4” deco tiles with botanical impressions in colors such as blue, green, amber, and red.   You can order tiles individually or as a mural for any room in your house.

Deco Tiles by Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware at CustomMade.com

For custom ceramics that are functional, decorative, or both, contact Suzanne Crane and tell her what you have in mind before her next walk in the woods and mountains near her home.