Heidi Petersen Ceramics

09/05/2024

Pulling it together for ARTHOP in Atascadero this Friday evening. Working on a tablescape of new pieces at K***s and Pulls/Design de Cuisine 805, 5860 Traffic Way. This is a preview of new work for SLO Open Studios Tour (Oct 12-13). Info at atownarthop.org

07/26/2024

Soba to shōyu

Same small bowl with ochre glaze you’ve probably seen before, but the soba and ochre were so nice together in afternoon light.

07/19/2024

Don’t know why I’m so happy with this new glaze pattern, but excited to now give it a go on a bigger scale. I’ll be doing Open Studios Tour here in Santa Margarita in October and new work is finally starting to appear.

06/13/2024

What a swell evening with friends who have given their HPCeramics (that’s me 😉)dishware the good life!

03/18/2024

Spotted in the wild: one of a series of serving bowls from many years back when my studio was in the Rainbow Hut, perhaps. These days I feel like bringing it all down to just the clay… quite often it’s most beautiful all on its own.

03/13/2024

805 Magazine gave a few potters some nice coverage in the March Restaurant issue. It’s a pretty slick magazine that covers all the excitement of the 805 area code, from Bradley to Somis, and now a lil’ bit o’ Santa Margarita (small towns deserve a nod now and then).

10,000 thanks to and the other restaurants who have patiently trusted me to learn how to make good dishware. 😘

03/10/2024

Installation is complete. Multiple vases will hopefully do a good job of greeting the guests at check-in. Really a beautiful hotel! It was a joy to work on larger pieces and I’ve fallen more in love with this glaze design which captures the layered landscape of SLO county so well.

12/25/2023

I love this presentation: simple, clean, organic. Jill and Eleanor treating their dishware to a calm life of service. Exceptional.

12/11/2023

It’s a huge day here in Heidi’s clay town. A beautiful shiny new kiln arrived! I’ve been a big baby about this process: so nervous that I might have ordered the wrong one, that it would arrive with a big dent in it, that I would need an expensive emergency surgery and wouldn’t be able to pay for it, or 500 other ridiculous scenarios that crowd one’s mind when they make a big ass purchase.

It’s the same Cress kiln I’ve used for 20 years, but with so many great improvements from my 1997 model. The old Cress has been good to me while subtly hinting at its impending demise. This morning I unloaded its final firing while praying the lid would hold on for just one minute more. Thanks old Cress for seeing me through so many stages of pottery making, for firing big fountains and tiny twisty things, for delivering glossy whites and messed up greens that weren’t your fault, and for helping me craft a business and a life I truly enjoy (most days). A second life awaits you and I know it’s going to be a hot one!!!

Whaaat a joy!!! I’m a little shaky!

11/30/2023

in Solvang

11/16/2023

09/16/2023

Mousse de Maracuya, ‘after’ photo. Maybe my favorite dessert and simple to make. Below you see how beautiful it is before you eat it all.

Potter’s note: this is a good size bowl that can be used for all sorts of runny and crunchy things. I have about 10 for sale in the studio right now.

09/13/2023

Morning light and simple white mugs. On the shelves .

09/05/2023

Shop update September 2023….

(and, because I love it, a photo of the living bouquet of sunflowers that volunteered in the potato patch this year)

Keeping up the happy work in the studio on El Camino Real as usual, but I have closed my extra retail space. I do have a selection of dishware, mugs, vases, etc for sale in my studio and will post photos here as I add more.

The bigger plan is to invite you all to the studio every 2-3 months to see what I’ve been up to and take some ‘stuff’ home if you feel like it.

So we’ll see how it goes! Watch here for sale notices which I will make well in advance of the actual event.

While building up my own body of work I continue creating an array of drinkware for the best lil’ cozy shop in Paso Robles . I’ve almost finished custom dishware for Paso’s exceptional restaurant and starting on another Paso restaurant in the coming months.

Feel free to call or text me if you’re looking for something and-or stop by the studio and say ‘Hey Heidi’ if you’re passing by. I’m always happy to see you! 💛

09/01/2023

A potter’s life for me! I’ve replaced my kiln elements six or seven times and each time I learn a new skill and remember lessons forgotten since the last time.

One element left to go and it’s at the very bottom so I’ll hang upside down for a while and look forward to the euphoria of having brand new elements for a while!!!
5000 thank you’s to Kyle Wilhelm for massive support and guidance!

07/19/2023

Mid-day cortado

06/25/2023

Several years in use and still photo worthy. Hand crafted for beauty and durability.

05/19/2023

Found in the wild…

05/19/2023

I visited the General Store in Paso this morning browsing for small gifts to send my aunt in a care package. I always find something I didn’t even know would be perfect for her. Ok… they also carry these mugs and others made by me so you can get one of these too if you need one :-)

Owned by the three most thought-full women and staffed by incredibly nice humans. I’m so fortunate to have worked with them for several years. Happy 10th anniversary to

05/12/2023

Something special is about to happen to these plates.
Today’s delivery to and his restaurant

05/10/2023

Have I told you how much I love you, sunshine? So much of my production process takes place outdoors that this looooong cold wet winter has been a challenge to my craft and my spirit. Ahhhh sunshine, work your magic on freshly glazed cups and the chives.

Photo thanks to Kevin Bohrer :-)

02/10/2023

What a surprise to see this piece from way back when I used to do a lot of sgraffito.

12/03/2022

Time warped my brain to receive this photo of a piece I made in 2005. I love making this kind of pieced work and hope I find a way to do more someday.
The owner says he’s had it only a few years and may have gotten it at an antiques/thrift store. Love that!!!

12/01/2022

Good Seed Coffee! Just add steamy cappuccino and wrap your cold hands around this. Instant sigh.
Photo by Good Seed Coffee.

12/01/2022

Paso Wine Merchant! Still life with oysters and then the action shot. Fresh fresh fresh from Grassy Bar Oyster Co paired with zesty mignonette and you should absolutely add a glass or two of wine!

Food bringing the tableware to life.

12/01/2022

Momotaro!!! Before and after in the Paso Market Walk. Perfect for this rainy day.

11/24/2022

Just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. What a fabulous photo from Lauren’s table. Happy day everyone… be well and eat well.

11/23/2022

Larissa and Dylan’s tableware collection looking safe and cozy after several years of use. Sometimes I question having just clay on the exterior of my tableware, but seeing these reminds me why I do it this way. It’s the color and texture of the clay that I love so much. Covering it would make me sad.

It was exciting to see how they’ve shelved their tableware and it’s always super helpful to get reports on how the dishes are holding up through various uses, meals, hand and machine washings, etc. Please help me improve and send any report, comments, and suggestions. 🧡

11/23/2022

Morning oats recipe:
bowl and mug in matte blue, plate in gray speckle, oatmeal, raisins, flax seeds, pepitas, goji berries, houji-cha 🌞🦥 Leslie’s house!