photo by Victoria Bonvicini
Hello there!
My name is Sarah Diane; founder, designer, artisan, admin, and all things behind Sylvan Clayworks.
Learning pottery in high school and continuing her education at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Sarah Diane has been creating with clay since 2005. She graduated with a BFA in Ceramics, and sought to start her career in Nashville TN in 2012. A church in East Nashville graciously gifted her a pottery studio to use. There she hosted workshops, and was commissioned for The Treehouse Nashville to make all of their dinnerware.
Over the next 6 years, she worked full-time as a nanny and struggling artist finding her niche. In 2018, she presented at 15+ craft shows which proved to be inconsistent and very strenuous on her body. In 2019, Sarah ended in-person art shows and decided to sell exclusively online. That is when she thought of Artist Palettes; Click here to read more of her story
Values
QUALITY
QUALITY OF SERVICE
Sylvan Clayworks’ goal is that every customer, online and in person, will feel seen, heard and treated with respect. Expectations of integrity, creativity, and communication are met with respect and equality. We strive to meet commitments, client expectations, and to deliver exceptional value.
QUALITY OF GOODS
Every Sylvan product is carefully inspected to guarantee a high standard of quality. Every item is handmade with love and careful presicion. The natural variation created from process to product is something to celebrate, including irregularities in glaze color, texture, and finish. Sylvan Clayworks views these characteristics as part of the unique beauty of each piece.
STEWARDSHIP
SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING
Sylvan Clayworks firmly believes that it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of the earth in every way possible. The best way Sylvan Clayworks can participate in saving our planet, as an e-commerce site, is through packaging. All of Sylvan Clayworks packaging is environmentally friendly. Every package is sustainable using biodegradable cornstarch peanuts, recycled paper, and recyclable boxes sealed with biodegradable paper tape. Please reuse and recycle! There is no Planet B.
REUSE IN THE STUDIO
Sustainability is important for every aspect of business. Especially when creating art, there can be a lot of waste in the studio. Here are some ways sustainability is implemented in the Sylvan studio:
• Plastic is reused to cover wet work and clay bags are collected and reused as much as possible.
•All clay scraps are collected and recycled into new clay.
•All clay boxes are recycled.
INNOVATION
MORE THAN BEING PROFITABLE
The difference between creativity and innovation is a course of action. Innovation helps you stay relevant in a competitive market, but also formulates ideas to grow your community. In a fast moving modern world, it allows room to grow into the future while change is imminent. Sylvan Clayworks strives to focus on better understanding the customer’s needs, the company’s environment, and using both to create the best handmade clay products.
COMMUNITY
Art is not just about the creator but how it interacts with individuals, ones local community and the influence it has on society as a whole. My goals for 2024-2025 is to get my project, 365 Vessels, finished, in Museum Exhibitions & Galleries and Publish my first Artist Book.