We love our staff at Stone Leaf! We are proud to say all of our employees love to work in clay. Each person on our staff offers a unique ceramic background. This experience brings more education to each and every pottery clay, glaze, tool, toy and kiln firing we offer in our Denver area store.
Ingrid
Who are you, what's your function/title, and how long have you been working in clay?
I’m Ingrid, one of the owners of Stone Leaf. My husband calls me the instigator of Stone Leaf Pottery. It’ll be 51 years in clay for me since September 1970, the start of my freshman year of college. There are so many things I love about clay, and they have changed as the decades went by. I love that there are new discoveries and technology in pottery making every year. I love that throughout the history of humans in the past, through the ages, currently, and in the future, clay touches the most astounding array of aspects of human life. In the past I have loved creating elaborate underglazed dinnerware, press molded work, as well as carved tiles, but currently a big favorite is creating lesson plans to teach at our booth during educational conferences.
What are your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? The amazing staff I get to work with, and being able to meet, chat with, and get to know our customers. It is a privilege to get to know all these fantastic, knowledgeable, talented people.
What is your favorite musical instrument and why? The cello. I find the range of notes astounding, and the tone so evocative.
If you weren't a potter, what else might you have been? A drawing instructor or a cartoon illustrator.
Sophia
I’m Sophia, I’m one of the owners here at Stone Leaf, and clay is one of my first memories. Clay has always been in my life. I do not remember the first time I touched clay or made something with it; it has always been part of my life.
What are your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? I love glaze - it’s overall my favorite thing. My most favorest colors are Laguna’s Robin’s Egg MS-18, and Spectrum’s 1142, Textured Kiwi Fruit. I also love my ConeArt 119 baby kiln. Oh, and Shimpo Whispers.
What is your fantasy vacation? Prague. Or Australia. Maybe Italy? Definitely Iceland.
Gita
Who are you, what's your function/title, and how long have you been working in clay? I’m Gita and I’m the store manager here at Stone Leaf. I’ve been working in clay since freshman year of high school in 2001 and I’ve been with Stone Leaf since I was 16.
What’s your favorite thing about working in clay? Art, and clay especially, act as a form of therapy for me so it’s imperative I’m able to create. I definitely feel it when I neglect my studio practice.
What’s your other favorite thing about working in clay? Clay is such a special medium and I love that it’s one that you develop a dialogue with and learn it’s personality over time. It also teaches many life skills such as patience, not becoming so attached and learning to deal with loss.
What’s your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? In my ever-shifting and growing tool box (full of so many tools I needed but never actually use), my current favorites are the Do-All japanese style trimming tool from Mudtools and the terra cotta micaceous clay from New Mexico Clay. One tool for my trimming needs?! Sold!
What’s your favorite musical instrument and why? I’d have to go with the synthesizer. It’s so versatile!! As a backup choice, definitely the accordion. I’m always impressed with people that have mastered that instrument.
Ripley
Who are you, what's your function/title? Hello! My name is Ripley, and I manage the Warehouse at Stone Leaf Pottery!
What are your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? It’s been almost 10 years since I was introduced to pottery and my favorite thing about it is that you can play with mud for a living! I also love the process of making pottery from beginning to end in slip casting, handbuilding, and throwing techniques. My favorite thing in the store is all the different types of clay! OH, and banding wheels… and tools, glazes, refractory, oh geez I love it ALL! I guess if I had to pick one, it would be the mini whisk.
What is your favorite mustical instrument? Piano. It has the ability to tell stories of all kinds. Most of the time I get breathless when listening to even a mediocre pianist.
If you were not a potter, what would you be? A professional snowboarder.
Britt
Who are you, what's your function/title, and how long have you been working in clay? I am the go-to lady that fires up all your masterpieces. I am also here to help customers find interesting tools & glazes. I have been working in clay for twenty years! I have been constantly changing up what versions of clay I enjoy working with. Started out hand-building with coils and now have transitioned into mostly spending my time glazing.
What are your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? My favorite product to use would be the Mayco Stroke and Coats. They seem to stay in place and have very vibrant colors at cone 06.
What is your fantasy vacation? My fantasy vacation would be Norway, Finland and Sweden. My goal is to go for my Honeymoon!
Kate
Who are you, what's your function/title, and how long have you been working in clay? My name is Kate. I weigh out glazes and raw materials at Stone Leaf. I am also in charge of Covid cleaning protocols at Stone Leaf. I really enjoy glazing and learning about glaze chemistry. I have been working with clay for 15 years. I love firing atmospheric kilns. (Gas, salt, raku)
What are your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? MUDSPONGES! All of them.
What is your favorite musical instrument and why? I enjoy the saxophone- it's so dreamy
If you could chat with one celebrity, who would it be? Oprah.
Emelio
Who are you, what's your function/title, and how long have you been working in clay? Who are you is a strange question to answer, like asking a river to define itself. It just is. My name is Emelio and I am the resident philosopotter. I have been working in clay for 7 months but have spent my life studying the space between myselves. My favorite thing about working with clay is centering myself to move the world.
What are your favorite product(s) sold at Stone Leaf? My favorite product on Stone Leaf’s shelves is endless possibilities!
What is your favorite musical instrument and why? My favorite musical instrument is the French Horn because we are mellow, warm, and do well alone.
If you were not a potter, what would you be? A toad, the wind, a wildflower, the idea of surrender
