By Kathy Chouteau
A Richmond ceramicist created a new way to bring her art to the masses.
Samantha Marie of PaperCut Pottery is providing “micropottery” from a vending machine. The micropottery fits in see-through, 2-inch plastic capsules. Pottery lovers can pay Samantha Marie a fee, and then she gives them .25 cents to use the vending machine to get some sturdy micro-art in a variety of colors.
The local potter came up with the idea earlier this year after seeing other artists using vending machines for their jewelry, stickers and other small products and thought it was creative.
“I felt it was a fun and nostalgic idea to change up the way someone could purchase the micropottery I was already making,” said Samantha Marie.
Soon after, she asked her social media followers if she should wrap up the pottery inside the capsules to keep the contents a surprise—or not. The response was 50/50, so she wrapped the contents “for a true mystery” during her first event, but at the next event she won’t. Samantha Marie debuted the micropottery vending machine at Busywork Craft Supply in Martinez in March.
The potter said the reception to her vending machine-dispensed micropottery has been great, with her noting that, after sharing photos on Instagram, guests told her they came by the Martinez event specifically to give it a whirl.
Samantha Marie will feature her new vending machine at PaperCut Pottery’s free-admission “Makers Market” Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Four Fools Winery, 13 Pacific Ave. in Rodeo. It will be featured alongside her other functional ceramics such as jars, dishes, planters and more fun wares, she said.
“We’ve outgrown the San Pablo venue and are excited to expand in Rodeo,” said Samantha Marie, who said her company plans to have 35 guest artisans at the third annual event. The Hella Bomb Tacos food truck, a wine bar and waterfront views will round out the event’s offerings.
The artisans lined up for that day will include Craftyish Curations; Felicity Creates It All; Stonedog Artistry; Jeed’s Treasure Troves; Mi Dulce Nina Crystals; Sky Pottery; By My Hand Designs; Boutique Lulu; Little Felt Works; All Knotted Up Crafts; Intrinsic Formulas; JC Craft Lab; AVioletfashion; Sun Moon Beads; Josie’s Keepsake Clay; Atomic K Designs; Olive Juice Soaps LLC; Sandi’s Succulents, Xibalba; Kultured Kottage; Obee’s Shop; Sea Glass Treasures; Hands to Hold; Athena Craig Designs; Embroidered Panda; SV Creations; 812_Tarot; Angeline Otis Designs; Simply Steampunk; Sun Moon Beads; Atomic K Designs; Irey’s Reusables; Idunno Creations; Color Tags by Julie Galvan; WritingnStyle; Notorious Arts; and Gina Garitson.
Samantha Marie said that children and minors are welcome but should be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Dogs are also welcome but must be on-leash at all times.
Learn more about PaperCut Pottery here.
