Passion Press: Ceramic Dreams with Rachel

It all started with polymer clay and a dream. This is the story of Rachel’s passion for ceramics and how it blossomed into Belmar Clay Project.

One of Rachel’s favorite childhood hobbies was playing with polymer clay. She would spend hours building figurines, bowls, and anything else that she could think of and create with her hands. As her passion continued to grow, her parents suggested she take a ceramics class to become more acquainted with the techniques of clay making, which changed her forever.

Rachel would take ceramics classes and make pottery throughout middle school, high school, and even college. Although she majored in accounting, she continued to enroll in ceramics classes every semester. Showing up to statistics class covered in clay, nothing could keep her from hand-building, wheel throwing, or glazing a new piece.

After graduation, she continued down the path of public accounting. After long days at the office and in search of something to fuel her creativity, Rachel turned to her beloved ceramics. Serendipitously, she was scrolling social media when she found a pottery nearby to take classes at. She attended pottery classes weekly, befriended the owner, and the pottery pieces fell into place for Rachel to take over the studio. Rachel joined forces with her ceramics professor from college, and the two women now own and operate Belmar Clay Project. Rachel mentions that “if I didn’t log onto my Instagram one day to see there was a pottery studio down the street to take classes at, I probably wouldn’t be here.” It’s a classic tale of right place, right time.

“That’s how all the good things happen, right? When you’re least expecting it.”

After opening in 2022, Rachel would continue to juggle both her full-time accounting job and managing the pottery studio. Pulling late nights of cleaning up clay, firing the kiln full of unique creations, prepping a calendar of events, and more. After two years, Rachel officially left the world of accounting behind to focus solely on Belmar Clay Project. A celebratory moment for any passionate person!

Here is a snapshot of my conversation with Rachel:

Kara: “So, why the name Belmar Clay Project?”

Rachel: “My [business] partner and I had a long list of all the different elements we wanted. Belmar, because we wanted something representative of the area we love. We went with ‘project’ because it encompasses something that is always evolving. It starts from scratch and grows, and that’s what we’re doing here — taking clay from mounds of nothing and creating works of art. The studio itself is a project, bringing people together and growing. We couldn’t possibly think of anything else that would fit but this.”

K: “What challenges did you face balancing your career and your passion project?”

R: “I was working in public accounting for 8 years before leaving the firm and working at the studio full-time. I was juggling both and felt like I couldn’t fully commit to one thing, never giving either a full one hundred percent to either. The studio was doing great and I felt so called to say ‘screw it!’. I built the foundation of a rewarding business, and decided to take the leap and take a chance on myself.”

K: “Do you have a favorite piece of pottery you like to make or had a student make?”

R': “We have a range of items that students come in to make. Some students come in wanting to master bowls, others come in with very imaginative ideas. I’ve been making animal piggy banks for almost three weeks! My favorite thing that students make is not an actual object, but the best thing they made; the best plate or biggest bowl, their best accomplishment, that’s my favorite part.”

K: “Any advice for anyone new to ceramics?”

R: “The worst thing that happens is we recycle it. You have nothing to lose; all the clay is reusable, and you’re here to learn. When you’re not worried about the end product, trust the process, and enjoy yourself, that’s when you’ll see growth in yourself at the studio.”

“If you surround yourself with like-minded people, they will pick you up and encourage you to do more.”

Rachel’s advice for anyone who is chasing their passions.

Rachel’s passion project had become more than just a hobby, it turned into her purpose. Through opening this studio, Rachel has been more connected to her community than ever before. She has made an impact in the town, being a space that cultivates creativity, expression, and community for artists of all levels.

Rachel is the co-founder and co-owner of Belmar Clay Project, a ceramics studio and community space for artists of all levels in Belmar, NJ. Belmar Clay Project is for artists of all levels. Browse their class and workshop schedule here.