Natalie Gillihan - Lake Quinsigamond Pottery

(Taken from her Etsy Profile)

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Natalie Gillihan lives on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts. Originally from Indiana where she received a B.A. in Ceramics from Ball State University, Natalie also spent time living in Chicago and studying art at Northern Illinois University. It was as an undergraduate at Ball State that the she began keeping a visual file of favorite images, including line drawings from ancient folk cultures. It took several years for these ideas and images to find their way into the artist's work. Natalie now creates handmade ceramic pendants with designs inspired by the arts of different cultures throughout the world, adapting the images to fit her vision. These images focus on birds and other animals, the human figure, and mythological stories. A small story card accompanies each pendant to give the charm's new owner a sense of the history and meaning contained in that small and unique piece of wearable art.


This limited edition piece was designed and created exclusively by the artist's hand. The image was inspired by an 18th c. English slipware dish of a hunting scene with hounds and a fox. Indeed, dogs were first domesticated for their keen ability in hunting. However, they have grown to become beloved companions and guardians. With their unbreakable bond to their masters, dogs were often affectionately included in portraiture. The famous painting of the Arnolfini Marriage by Jan van Eyck in 1434, shows a dog at the feet of the wedding couple, symbolizing their affection and loyalty to one another. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the back of the piece displays the artist's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery (LQP). 1 3/8 inches high.


This turtle pendant was designed and created exclusively by the artist's hand. Its shell bearing an intricate pattern, it swims through wavy lines of water. In a traditional Native American creation story, the world began with only water and water animals. All of the animals brought earth up from the ocean floor and piled it on the turtle's back. The dry land grew until it became one country and then many until the whole earth was formed. To this day, the turtle still holds up the land. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the back of the pendant displays the artist's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery (LQP). 1 5/8 inches high. Be sure to specify a color from the color chart and to add a cord or chain to your shopping cart if desired.


This limited edition piece was designed and created exclusively by the artist's hand. The figures are inspired by the art of Papua New Guinea. In Papuan art, stylization of the figure in different ways can express either group membership or individuality. The three figures together here are part of an intimate group-- perhaps friends or a family, or a teacher caring for children. Whatever their relationship, they are deeply connected to one another. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the back of the piece displays the artist's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery (LQP). 1 5/8 inches high.



Natalie draws inspiration from her numerous scrapbooks of ancient and ethnic designs. She transfers her own drawings to plaster and then carefully carves the plaster to create a mold. Each piece is created from that original mold. Once the mold wears out, after a hundred or so uses, the design is discontinued. Favorite themes may find reincarnations, but the original design is gone forever. While the clay is still moist, each piece is stamped on the back with Natalie's signature stamp and the chop mark of Lake Quinsigamond Pottery. The piece is then sanded, fired, glazed with multiple layers of glazes, and fired again. The piece is then ready to be incorporated into finished jewelry.


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