Young Oak Ceramics started in 2024 by Teresa. She makes all pieces by hand in her home studio in Sammamish, WA.

About the process

Pieces are wheel-thrown or hand-built from locally sourced stoneware clay. They are carefully dried (to leather hard), then trimmed by hand, then dried again (to bone dry). After the moisture has been removed, they are bisque fired to 1940° F (cone 04), glazed by hand, then fired to 2186° F (cone 5) using an electric pottery kiln. This firing process vitrifies the mid-range stoneware clay, making it waterproof and appropriate for food. All tableware pieces (plates, bowls, cups, etc.) are glazed with commercially available glazes that are free from toxins and labeled food safe by the FDA. Tableware pieces are designed and intended for everyday use, and can be microwaved and washed in a dishwasher.

From the maker

I have these powerful memories from my childhood, my mother putting her cold hands on my fevered forehead, or rubbing my aching belling, and saying “mom’s hands are medicine” (translated from Korean). In our home, we believed in the science of pharmaceutical medicine, but my mom still gifted us with her care through the work of her hands. Now as a wife and mother, and oh, after a global pandemic, I can see how valuable her care was.

Prior to making pottery, I analyzed and managed billions of dollars for medical and real estate companies. I was good at helping companies build plans to achieve more with fewer resources. In early 2022, I found myself surrounded by people who needed my care. I lacked the bandwidth to give it, so with difficulty, I left my finance career, floundered, wrote a book, regrouped, then started my pottery business.

Now I design and build pottery with the same hands that I use to care for my family, my home, and my community. I want to convey joy and beauty and care to you, in a way that is simple, sustainable, inclusive, and good for my community and the world at large.

Young Oak Ceramics are the candle holders that cast soft light over a shared meal, the bowls that hold nourishing soup, and the mugs that warm neighborly hands. It is named after my mother (“Young”) and her mother (“Oak”), with appreciation and a new understanding of what it means to care.

Warm wishes,

🖤 T