A Little More About Us...
Learn more about Lizzy, fellow Monterey Clay Studio instructors, and Monterey Clay Studio itself.
© E. Iversen
Lizzy
My name is Lizzy Eichorn (she/her/hers) and I run my business (Lizzy Eichorn Studios) out of Monterey Clay Studio. I grew up in Palo Colorado Canyon on Country Flat Farm and started working with clay in high school (20 years ago!). Clay has been a steady interest and passion of mine for a long time. Nowadays, I find the most joy in teaching others the tricks of the trade. I have taught wheel throwing on and off since college. Most recently, I taught the wheel throwing classes offered at Hacienda in Carmel Valley from summer 2023 to summer 2024.
I absolutely love how classes of random people end up being friends at the end of a session. I’m really motivated by spreading joy and connection in our world and feel so grateful to have teaching different crafts and pottery as an avenue to do so. My classes are fun and easygoing - so wherever you’re at you are welcome.
-
I had a career in environmental work (primarily ecological restoration) but one day in the spring of 2023 I was struck with the very clear desire to open a craft school on the Monterey Peninsula. We don’t have very many adult enrichment options locally and I thought, “now there’s a business idea!”
Fast forward to July 2024 and I was delightfully surprised to be connected with a woman named Joan who had created a vision to open Monterey Clay Studio. She was ready to launch the studio but needed a teacher to run the space. We are both very grateful to the several community members who connected us with one another. Monterey Clay Studio opened in September 2024 and is off to a great start.
Though clay is my primary medium, I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist with experience in drawing, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, book arts, and creative writing.
Erica
Erica (she/her/hers) is a Monterey Peninsula ceramic artist specializing in handbuilding and wheel throwing. She owns and operates Erica Lyn Ceramics, a business rooted in creating playful yet elegant pottery. Erica and Lizzy met through clay classes at Monterey Peninsula College. Erica excels at handbuilding and teaches multi-week handbuilding classes at Monterey Clay Studio.
MIA
Mia (she/her/hers) leads our handbuilding workshops and teaches multi-week wheel throwing classes. She started working with clay when Monterey Clay Studio opened and has since become an integral part in our behind the scenes operations (i.e. the studio is clean because of her!). She took to working with clay very quickly and loves to make decorative yet functional items. Mia honed her throwing skills in class and her handbuilding skills during her kiddo’s nap time. She has lots of ideas for handbuilding workshops in 2026 - stay tuned!
Emily (she/her/hers) has studied wheel throwing and hand building at Monterey Peninsula College and has been working with clay for several years. Her design inspirations stem from the beauty of the local landscapes and the magic of daily life. Emily is excited to share the joy of ceramics with fellow community members through teaching wheel throwing at Monterey Clay Studio. Fun fact, Emily is a neighbor of Lizzy’s parents in Palo Colorado Canyon!
Emily
Ella (she/her/hers) is our studio technician. At Monterey Clay Studio, she is the open studio monitor, oversees all kiln loading/unloading and firings, manages our studio member firing service, is in charge of reclaim clay management, and teaches throwing workshops. Before joining our team, Ella led clay programs at summer camps, worked at a community studio in New York, and helped run the student clay program at Colgate University. We are so grateful to Ella for all of her hard work to make the student experience what it is at Monterey Clay Studio!
ELLA
Jess (she/her/hers) is a ceramic artist who primarily teaches our Play with Clay workshops. She started taking classes at a local studio in 2019 and knew this was going to be more than a hobby, quickly adding lessons to her calendar each week. Whether filling her shelves with her own designs or teaching friends and family that come into town, she is eager to share the joy clay can bring.
Jess
Monterey Clay Studio
© E. Iversen
Our studio is a fully equipped teaching studio with eight student wheels, large work tables, ware racks, a slab roller, a glazing room, two electric kilns, and assorted tools for working with clay on and off the wheel.