About
Alissa Goss makes handmade ceramics and pottery in her Nashville studio. She began working with clay in 2003 at Santa Monica College, and it was there that she first got hooked on making pottery. Her studies in ceramics and sculpture continued at California College of the Arts (CCA), where she earned her BFA in 2008.
Her relationship with process, materiality, and practicality are at the forefront of every object she makes in her studio. Her handcrafted ceramics focus on form and function, with each piece reflecting simplistic beauty.
Alissa's pieces are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, yet are casual enough for daily use. Never seeking perfection, her work is best suited in the homes and tables of those who appreciate the magic of handmade, where subtle variations and the maker's hand can be discovered through its use.
We are committed to sustainability. Alissa's tableware is eco-friendly and easy to maintain, making it an ideal choice for your daily needs. Always non-toxic and food-safe, her pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe, although hand washing is preferred for delicate items.
Her process.
Working in ceramics is a slow and cyclical process of making, drying, firing, glazing and so on. For someone who can be short on patience (ahem…me) it’s a daily practice showing up, slowing down and chipping away at the work for the day. Each piece I make has been touched by my hands dozens of times before it becomes available to you here. And each day, I am so grateful I get to do this work.
There is an energy that is carried in handmade objects. It’s a slow process producing these collections, and they are meant to become a daily reminder to be present, take some time to quietly reflect and nourish your body and soul.
There is nothing like collecting and using something handmade. You’ll notice the slight imperfections of where the makers hand has come into contact with the material. You’ll find beauty in subtle variations in color, texture and form. This is where the magic lives.
Use & Care instructions
You may be wondering how to best care for your handmade pottery. Here are just a couple tips that you might find useful.
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Each item in my collection is carefully crafted by hand. Each are unique, and variation in color and texture does occur, which is part of the joy in owning a handmade object.
Please rest assure, the clays and glazes I use which come into contact with food are always non-toxic.
Occasionally, some of my items have an additional decorative element of 22K gold luster. In this case, items with luster are NOT dishwasher or microwave safe and should be hand-washed only.
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Most items offered in my collection are dishwasher & microwave safe (unless otherwise noted when purchased). I personally recommend hand-washing delicate or fragile items.
Items which have a 22k gold luster applied will absolutely NOT be safe in the microwave. The luster I use contains actual 22K gold and metal+microwave = sparks! These items should also be hand-washed only to preserve the luster.
You may notice from time-to-time that using flatware on your pottery may mark the surface of the glaze. Don’t be alarmed, this is usually just a superficial surface scuff, and can typically be removed by using a damp sponge and a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend (a mild abrasive cleanser).
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Should something happen to your pottery out of the ordinary and you’d like advice, you can always contact me for more help.