Shoreline Texture | Lake Michigan Sand Ceramic Vase

Shoreline Texture | Lake Michigan Sand Ceramic Vase

This handmade porcelain vase is shaped by quiet moments along the Lake Michigan shoreline here in Grand Haven.

Real Lake Michigan beach sand is layered into the surface and glaze. During the firing process the sand softens into subtle textures that echo the patterns water leaves behind as it moves across the shoreline.

Small inclusions gathered during walks along the waterfront — pieces of beach glass, black and white sand, tiny stones, and other found materials — become part of the finished surface. Each element carries a small piece of the lakeshore into the clay.

The form itself is simple and architectural, allowing the textures and surface to hold the story of the shoreline. One side carries soft blue impressions that suggest shifting water, while the opposite surface holds quieter sandy tones.

The result is a tactile vessel that reflects the movement, materials, and changing light along Lake Michigan. I wrote more about how the Lake Michigan shoreline influences my ceramic surfaces in a recent reflection.

Each piece is hand built and one of a kind.
The vessel pictured here is the exact piece that will arrive at your door.