Pottery & stained glass rooted in the California landscape
Quality Pottery & Stained Glass, Made on the Mountain
In Japanese, Yama means mountain—a fitting name that connects my work to my studio’s home on the slopes of Mount Rubidoux in Riverside.
Made by Molly
I'm an artist, ceramics teacher, and lifelong student of California's landscapes. I make small-batch pottery and stained glass inspired by the places I explore—from desert terrain to native wildflowers. Meet Molly
POTTERY + LIGHT
Ceramic Teapocket Mug
A little pocket for your teabag, built right into your mug. Wheel-thrown and finished by hand in Riverside, each one has its own character.
This special edition features California poppies, illustrated directly onto the clay before glazing. Each bloom is painted and outlined by hand, adding a gentle botanical touch.
Every mug is wheel-thrown, sculpted, and glazed in small batches, so each one carries subtle variations that make it truly one of a kind.
A cozy, thoughtful design for the serious tea lover.
Stop wondering where to put your soggy tea bag. This wheel thrown ceramic mug features a built-in side pocket designed to hold your tea bag or infuser once your brew is just right.
Each 14 oz piece is uniquely shaped by hand and decorated with an original, hand-painted honeybee on an echinacea flower. The interior is finished in a soft celadon green, contrasting with the textured white exterior and cobalt blue accents.
✨ Details
* **14 oz Capacity:** A generous size for your favorite morning or evening blend.
* **Integrated Tea Pocket:** Keeps your workspace clean and your tea bag handy for a second steep.
* **Artisan Crafted:** Handbuilt, ensuring no two mugs are exactly alike.
* **Hand-Painted Illustration:** Featuring a charming bee and floral motif.
* **Daily Convenience:** Fully **Dishwasher and Microwave Safe**.
California Native Collection
This collection celebrates California's native plants, animals, and landscapes.
Celebrate the joy of nature at the table with the Ceramic Nasturtium Plate, a hand-painted piece that captures the playful spirit of one of the garden’s most beloved flowers. Crafted from speckled stoneware and glazed by hand at Yama Ceramics Studio, each plate features delicately illustrated nasturtium blooms and trailing vines in rich, botanical tones.
Whether used for everyday meals, as a serving dish, or displayed as functional art, this artisan floral plate brings organic beauty and timeless craftsmanship into your home. Each piece is made in small batches, ensuring no two are exactly alike.
Perfect for:
Serving salads, pastries, or small bites with elegance
Nature-inspired table settings or garden party themes
Thoughtful gifts for gardeners, flower lovers, and art collectors
Wedding, housewarming, or holiday presents
Displaying as decorative ceramic wall or shelf art
Product Details:
Handmade from durable, speckled stoneware clay
Hand-painted nasturtium flower design
Food-safe glaze finish (lead-free and non-toxic)
Dishwasher and microwave safe (hand-washing recommended)
Approximate diameter: 9"
Made in California at Yama Ceramics Studio
A tribute to Riverside’s iconic citrus roots. This handcrafted stained glass suncatcher features a textured whole orange paired with an open-wheel citrus slice to fill your space with warm, golden light.
Materials: Hammered and translucent orange art glass, copper foil, dark patina solder
Origin: Proudly hand-cut and soldered locally in Riverside, California (studio note card included with purchase)
Integrated top wire loops for stable hanging
Measures approx 10in x 10in
Hand-crafted in small batches
Inspired by the native blooms I spot on local trails, this Hand-Carved Matilija Poppy Bowl brings a bit of wild California right into your home. I throw each of these bowls from sturdy stoneware right here in my Riverside studio, then use the sgraffito technique to hand-carve the intricate poppy design—etching through a rich, earthy green glaze to reveal the raw, natural clay underneath.
Whether you're using it to serve up dinner, catch your jewelry on the nightstand, or simply display it as a textural piece of wall art, it’s built to be as functional as it is beautiful. Because every single line is carved by hand, no two bowls are ever exactly alike.
The Details:
Handmade and hand-carved at Yama Ceramic & Glass Studio in Riverside, CA
Stoneware clay finished with freehand sgraffito carving
Food-safe, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe (though I always recommend hand-washing to keep it looking fresh for the long haul)
Measures roughly 8–9 inches in diameter
Every piece is genuinely one-of-a-kind, with its own slight, beautiful variations in the glaze and carving
California Poppy Kintsugi Plate
A celebration of resilience and the beauty of local flora.
Poppies are a constant inspiration in my studio, and this plate is a tribute to my local landscape. Hand-thrown on the wheel from durable stoneware, each piece is individually hand-painted with a vibrant Matilija poppy motif.
This bowl features Kintsugi ("golden joinery"), a traditional Japanese technique that celebrates repair by highlighting seams with gold. Instead of hiding flaws, Kintsugi turns them into a story of history and character, making every bowl a unique piece of functional art.
The Details
Artisan Made: Hand-thrown on the wheel at my studio on Mount Rubidoux.
Botanical Art: Part of the California Native collection, featuring hand-painted botanical details and genuine gold accents.
Kintsugi Finish: Every piece carries its own unique "scars" highlighted in gold, celebrating the beauty of imperfection.
Size: Approximately 9" diameter—perfect as a statement centerpiece or a serving bowl.
Care: To protect the delicate gold Kintsugi accents, hand-wash only. Not recommended for microwave use.
Light for the Home
Sculptural ceramic lamps
Designed to bring warmth, texture, and a soft glow to your space.
This handmade ceramic lamp brings warm, earthy texture and intentional light to your space. I throw each one individually on the wheel and finish it with a heavy crackle glaze that mimics the look of weathered stone. Because of how this glaze behaves in the kiln, the deep fissures are completely unpredictable, making this a true one-of-a-kind original.
Unlit, it stands as a clean, tactile sculpture that perfectly complements Modern '70s or Japandi aesthetics. Lit, it casts a soft, soothing glow that highlights the dramatic cracks and shadows in the clay.
Size: 9.5" x 9.5"
Availability: 1 of 1, signed studio original
Hardware: Fully wired with premium electrical components
Shipping: Double-boxed, fully insured, and ready to ship in 3–5 business days
I throw these stoneware lamps on the wheel here in my Riverside studio, focusing on clean, minimalist lines that let the tactile glaze stand out.
Finished in a soft, creamy white with a subtle bubble texture, this lamp serves as an earthy, sculptural accent by day and a warm, inviting light source at night. It fits effortlessly into modern spaces, bringing a quiet, grounding energy to your bedside table or reading nook. Because each one is completely made and glazed by hand, your lamp will have its own distinct, one-of-a-kind character.
Size: 10" x 5" x 4"
Availability: 1 of 1, signed studio original
Hardware: Fully wired and ready to plug in
FROM THE STUDIO
See the making behind Yama—from clay on the wheel to finished pieces.
"I share the full process—from raw clay to the final firing—over on my YouTube channel, Pottery with Puzo. As an educator, I love showing the 'how' behind the 'what.' Watch a full tutorial or catch a behind-the-scenes look at the studio.
Wash your fruit with a satisfying swirl.
Elevate your kitchen prep with the handmade Ceramic Vortex Berry Rinser. Running water into the side spout creates a gentle, hypnotic vortex around the central, hand-carved drainage cone. This continuous circulation lifts dirt and cleans your fresh berries, grapes, or cherry tomatoes thoroughly from every angle without bruising them.
Once rinsed, simply tilt to drain the water completely and serve right out of the bowl. It’s an innovative, functional piece of art designed to look beautiful on any holiday table or countertop.
Holiday Pre-Order Details
Small Batch: Each rinser is individually wheel-thrown in a limited holiday run.
Guaranteed Delivery: Pre-orders placed by November 1st ship by December 13th, in time for holiday gifting.
Product Details
Materials: Crafted from durable mid-fire stoneware clay and finished with food-safe glazes.
The Finish: A deep ocean-blue glaze pools inside to highlight the swirling texture, contrasted by a lighter slate-blue sweep along the rim.
Dimensions: Approximately 9 x 9 inches.
Care: Dishwasher safe, though hand-washing is always recommended to preserve the life of artisanal ceramics.
One-of-a-Kind: Due to the handmade nature of wheel-thrown pottery, expect subtle, beautiful variations in glaze flow and size that make your rinser uniquely yours.