Shino glaze was first developed and used in Japan in the late 1500’s. It’s always been the designer’s favorite and this particular glaze is called carbon trap shino. The trapping of carbon during the firing process creates the spotted and darker areas on the clay surface. The look can change depending on the type of clay used, the variations can be subtle or extreme, and always unpredictable, which is the charm of shino glazes.
Beth Katz is the creative force behind Mt. Washington Pottery, an heirloom quality collection of functional and decorative ceramics. The 1970’s hippie enclave of Los Angeles’ Topanga Canyon is where Beth grew up and was introduced to the art of ceramics. The freedom of her childhood, the diverse and wild Southern California landscape, her experiences in fashion and commercial design combined with the ethos of traditional Japanese and modern Scandinavian design, culminate in the organic elegant simplicity that is Beth’s work.