Meet Melina LaVecchia Daniels, a ceramicist and illustrator from Boone, NC. Her work includes one-of-a kind dinnerware that celebrates the art of hospitality and beauty in everyday rhythms. She also offers a variety of original illustrated pieces, including prints, stickers, tea towels and market bags. Melina and her husband, Jacob Daniels travel around the South teaching workshops on creativity, art and design.
Tell us about your favorite product from your collection.
I’m loving these new tableware pieces I’ve been creating with a ‘blue jean denim’ painterly effect. My usual arsenal includes smaller kitchenware pieces so I’m excited to pull out some large ceramics that go perfectly with hosting big gatherings and family style meals.
What has been the most surprising aspect of starting a business?
Adding children ! My husband and I started Overflow studios (a multi-tiered creative arts business encompassing ceramics, fine art, illustration and design) in 2013 when we first got married and I use to bartend on the side to balance my studio practice, since adding two boys , I work full time in the studio alongside him which has been a beautiful and challenging journey.
What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have?
When we have a studio day, I wake up super early and try to have quiet reading time before the kids wake up, enjoy a large glass of cold brew and get to the studio just in time for Lucca’s nap (which gives me only two hours before toddler starts to run around)…. it’s also been a new adjustment trying to continue to work with a newborn and a 2 year old, while also enjoying this fleeting babyhood season.
“my dream project is creating a completely customized tableware line for a beautiful farm to table restaurant”
What is your dream project? If there were no restrictions on time or money what would you create?
Ah what a fun question, my dream project is creating a completely customized tableware line for a beautiful farm to table restaurant, including but not limited to the ceramic tableware, silverware, linens, furniture …. actually I think I would just like to design the whole restaurant and then invite all my friends over for a spectacular night around the table.
Who or what inspires you and your creative process?
I was raised by two Italian chefs that relied heavily on quality time around the dinner table. My mother was also an interior designer so she dressed the table in gorgeous tableware regardless if it was Sunday night or Tuesday…. my ceramics have always been inspired by breaking bread with people. I want folks to get excited to use their favorite mug or plate everyday and not just save it for special occasions.
Meet Melina in person and shop her line of ceramics at the upcoming June Patchwork Market at Fullsteam Brewery or find her on instagram @bylinalav and visit her site www.ceramicsbylinalav.com