Tena Payne knows clay. She lives it, breathes it, and (quite literally) shapes it in to incredibly unique and functional pottery products that are used by renowned chefs and restaurants nationwide. Perhaps you’ve heard of her company, Earthborn Studios. Indeed, if you’ve ever enjoyed dinner at Hot and Hot Fish Club right here in Birmingham, you’ve been surrounded by (while eating off of) Payne’s beautiful pieces.
Earthborn Studios, located in Leeds, Alabama.
Shortly after moving to Birmingham, I had countless encounters will fellow foodies and art lovers who mentioned Earthborn as a must-know fact/place/product. (One thing about the Birmingham community is that it loves to herald its artists and heroes, and Tena Payne is no exception.) From her studio in Leeds, Payne and her family create a wide array of artisan pottery pieces best suited for the kitchen and dining room, although I wouldn’t be opposed to an Earthborn collection of my very own with no other purpose than to just warm my home and give me something exceptionally beautiful to look at.
Look, that's yours truly, attempting my own clay creation. (It's much harder than it looks! Image: Rachel Callahan)
In what seemed like an incredible stroke of good luck, I was invited by this lovely lady, along with a group of local female bloggers, to join Tena in her studio for a little time at the wheel. In addition to meeting a fabulous army of like-minded writers, the evening was all about turning something without form or function in to something magnificent. By no means was I a natural, but I so enjoyed the process, the relationship between hands and strength and clay and wheel… I can’t wait to go back. (Anybody up for taking a six-week pottery immersion with me, via Cahaba Clayworks?)
- The wheels await.
My favorite part of the experience was watching and observing how every single piece takes on its own life, its own shape, its own particular look. Just like we are all made to be different in our own unique ways, so too is each piece of pottery.
Earthborn Studios founder and owner Tena Payne works the clay.
Inspired by a presentation at her high school, Tena knew immediately she wanted to pursue this craft. She was allowed to take a borrowed wheel home during the Christmas break and it was then that her curiosity became a reality. More than thirty years have passed and her craft has grown and evolved. To be a successful Southern woman who employs her husband and children, all while doing the very thing she loves, well – that’s something to aspire to.
Kilns = Firing
There’s magic happening all the time over at Earthborn, but you won’t find any fancy lighting or intimidating architecture. The pottery is the main attraction, it speaks for itself, and there’s plenty of variety to choose from. (If you’re anything like me, you’ll start conspiring on how to rehaul your entire kitchen (and budget) to accommodate your new Earthborn addiction.)
Pieces in process…
What better way to serve home-prepared food to those you love than on a piece of hand-crafted earthenware, made right down the road with loving hands and an artful eye?
Earthborn's inventory… drool-worthy.
I do believe I’m in love…
Earthborn Studios showroom – something for everyone (one of each for me, please)
Go see the studio and showroom for yourself. Here’s how to get there. Or, check out this list of retailers and be sure to look for Earthborn pieces next time you’re out and about. OR, if you don’t even want to leave the comfort of your own home, get the goods here, online.
Also be sure to follow Earthborn on Facebook and Twitter.
This life we live can be dull and dreary sometimes. Warm it up with Earthborn, and then invite me over for dinner. I even have my own plate (will travel).
{A big thanks to Tena, Nabeel, and Rachel for hosting such a delightful evening!}
1 Comment
Beautiful pics! It was delightful to see you – I’m glad you had a fantastic time!