Pottery by Eleni was created as a product of transition and transformation by Eleni Falangus Duffy. Having decided to take a step back from her career after 13 years as a noted costume designer in Los Angeles, she decided to relocate and return to her hometown of Seattle, wanting to be connected once more to her family and the nature of the Pacific Northwest. Incidentally, this move occurred just weeks before the start of the 2020 pandemic, which created a pause in the entertainment industry. It was this pause, in combination with a poorly timed immobilizing injury, that put her in the position where there was nothing left to do but design and create.

In the darkest moments of life, her instinct was to create something beautiful. She longed for a glimmer of shine in a murky, uncertain fog. She turned to pottery, the first art form taught to her by her mother, her first and constant teacher. The last purchase, before stores went into lockdown, was a small 2-gram bottle of 22k gold luster. Unsure what to expect and hoping $50 wasn’t an absurd amount to pay for a bottle that didn’t even measure over an inch, Eleni carefully brushed it on the edges of a little plate she'd made. "When I opened the kiln and saw how this blood red glaze turned to bright gold (a moment that still brings me to awe), my hope returned." In these dark days, she could take mud and turn it into shiny china pieces that glistened with gold. The first collection reflected this very hope. She creates luxury homeware pieces that are clean, white, and shine with real gold. She focuses on entertainment ware, as it was the images of people laughing, gathering, and clinking cups (perhaps even little porcelain ones!) that fueled her to continue despite feeling isolated.

She named the resulting company Pottery by Eleni (pronounced Eh-leh-knee). The name “Eleni” sprawls through four generations of women in her family, including her great-grandmother, who survived the Great Depression, and her mother, who put clay in Eleni's hands before she could even speak. These intelligent, determined, and generous women, along with so many others, served as a reminder for her to keep going. In Greek, “Eleni” means "light,” and it’s reminiscent of the sparkle and gold that refueled her hope. With Pottery by Eleni, she works to share this hope and light.

Each piece in the Pottery by Eleni line is named after the amazing women in her life as a thank you for their inspiration. The pieces, such as The Elaine Mug, The Tierney Rae Painter's Palette, and The Peggy Bowl, are not only beautiful and functional pieces, but they also honor her loved ones, which is something that she hopes customers will connect to. She imagines these homewares being enjoyed for decades and passed down as timeless additions to holiday tables. When you bring Pottery by Eleni into your home, you'll revel in the luxury materials and rustic, elegant design.

She strives to use locally sourced clays and glazes, appreciating that not only is it eco-friendly, but it also makes her and her work more connected to the Pacific Northwest. For Eleni, that is part of the magic of the medium. Currently, she designs in porcelain, utilizing both wheel throwing and slab construction. Her work is refined while celebrating and honoring the irregularities of the handmade process. And her favorite and final touch is still adding that hand-painted rim with the same 22k gold luster that first illuminated her dark garage.

Pottery by Eleni was fortunate to find quick success upon releasing a series of art tools, such as ceramic palettes. "To create for other artists is something that makes me feel deeply privileged, and I'm honored to have these items be some of my best sellers." With success growing, her partner decided to leave his job and become a potter too, making Pottery by Eleni a family-run business. Working together has made this their dream job and career, and they are full of hope as they continue to grow the business and release new collections.