Misiuk Pottery

by Lois Tomaszewski

Goshen, IN

Ceramic artist Sadie Misiuk equates her passion for working with clay to playing in the mud as a child. That feeling is easy to recreate when she spends time throwing clay on her wheel.

“I like the tactile nature of it,” she mused. “I like working with my hands covered in clay. It’s all the fun we had as children in the mud.”

Misiuk attended Central Michigan University. She took several electives, including art classes. That was where her passion for crafting in clay began. After graduating with a degree in three-dimensional arts, she moved to Goshen. Her studio is housed in the old Model Elementary School building.

Misiuk creates utilitarian pieces in her work, like mugs, plates, and bowls. For her, the functionality of the pieces makes what she creates special. It’s art that is accessible anytime and at any place.

The pieces she makes are made in one of three different firing methods to finish her pieces achieved with a wood-fired kiln, a gas kiln, or an electric kiln. Each has limitations and achieves different results.

Wood firing takes the longest and the ash creates a natural glaze. Each piece will be unique because the process is organic in nature – you don’t know where the ashes will glaze the pieces in the kiln. That, according to Misiuk, is the beauty of this method.

After firing in a wood kiln for 95 hours and an equal amount of time to cool down, checking out the pieces is always a surprise. “It’s like Christmas to me,” she said.

Soda firing uses a gas kiln. In this method, a mixture of soda ash, baking soda, and borax is sprayed into the kiln. This mixture, called flux, collects on the pieces being fired to interact with the pieces. This process is less lengthy than the wood-fired process, and it allows for more experimentation to achieve unique textures and finishes.

The third method uses an electric kiln. This process produces more predictable pieces and works well with bright reds and blues.

“You know what you are going to get when you put the piece in the kiln,” Misiuk said.

She enjoys crafting her pieces on the wheel, creating an inventory of pieces that will be ready to fire.

“I will spend two weeks in my studio making as many pieces as I can,” she said.

She then cleans it up and fires the pieces. Then the cycle continues.

Misiuk is also actively seeking new techniques and ideas that continue elevating her work. She learned how to make her own glazes in college and continues to do the same in her studio. She added a line of pieces that feature a racoon carved into the piece, a comical creative element that was also therapeutic for her when she needed a little whimsey.

Misiuk can be found at area artisan shows and on the Michiana Potters Tour. Visit her website at smisiukceramics.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Contact her at sadiemisiuk@gmail.com, @sadiemisiukceramics.