Chambers shares the joy of pottery at Delaware Bay Clay

Delaware Bay Clay opened its doors April 5 in Lewes, bringing a cozy and welcoming new pottery studio and storefront to the local art scene.

The shop showcases a wide selection of handmade, hand-painted and fully functional pottery, all crafted on site by owner Lisa Chambers. Delaware Bay Clay offers a full retail collection featuring mugs, bowls, plates, planters, decorative buoys, platters, holders, vases, canisters and buckets, along with pottery wheel classes, workshops and summer camps for kids.

Chambers previously operated out of a studio with no storefront, but she was always on the lookout for another spot for a more public-facing studio. She spotted the current building while taking her daughter to school. After getting the keys Jan. 1, she began renovating the space and officially opened this spring. 

Chambers spent her childhood summers in Lewes with her grandparents, and now lives in town full time. Her personal connection to the area and general love for coastal life are major influences on her artwork.

“I’m hugely inspired by the Delaware Bay, the animals that inhabit the bay, and coastal living,” said Chambers. “We like to go to the beach, we like to surf, we like to do all that. I think a horseshoe crab is an amazing creature. I think it’s really cool that whales come to the bay to give birth.”

Chambers feels some of her most rewarding moments come from various meaningful custom projects. One customer recently purchased a large crab bowl to serve as the centerpiece of her dining room table. Chambers really loved how the piece turned out; so much so that she even thought about keeping it for herself. That made it even more special to see it become part of someone else’s home.

“That is the space where all of her family comes together to eat and socialize,” said Chambers. “And to me, that’s a huge honor.”

As the studio continues to grow, Chambers hopes to continue to give back to the local community, with a special focus on inspiring young creatives through her summer camps.

“I have seen some kids make some really cool things with summer camp,” said Chambers. “We are trying to inspire the future artists and spread pottery itself.”

Delaware Bay Clay is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 818 Kings Hwy., Lewes. 

For more information, go to delawarebayclay.com.