PASSION

The globe-trotting, rock-scouring mountaineer Jaclyn Souza may be hard for most of us to relate to. On the other hand, the coffee loving, environmentalist and business owner in one of our very own Bay Area neighborhoods may hit closer to home. Jaclyn creates small batch stoneware out of locally sourced materials from other small businesses, most of which are 100% recycled. She draws inspiration from the world she ambitiously travels and molds the very earth she climbs into the everyday products we’re honored to use.

Native Americans once referred to the Yosemite Valley as “uzumati” though it now more notably translates to “great bear”. Of course, great nature is at the core of Jaclyn's work. Uzumati Ceramics was born in 2017 after Jaclyn tried her hand at pottery and was impelled to follow her newfound passion.

From climbing the Bare Blåbær mountain in Norway, to learning primitive ceramic techniques from 90 year old Moroccan Rif potter Mama Aïcha, Jaclyn’s adventures have nurtured her wild spirit which reveals itself in her tangible works. Currently, Souza offers four distinct hand and wheel thrown ceramic collections, each representing an individual location’s aesthetic. She explores the connection between people and places and is “humbled to be a part of [our] homes and daily rituals”.

PROCESS

Uzumati is a one-woman, heart-driven operation out of Jaclyn's home studio in Walnut Creek, CA. Her high-fire ceramic stoneware goes through two separate firings. “Bisque” firing at lower temperatures purges organic gases from the clay and leaves it absent of any chemically bonded water. This step then improves the "glaze" process to follow. 

"Deciding to use a clay that showed every mark of its journey through production was a conscious decision when I was developing the High Desert Collection. I was looking for a way to capture the fragility of ecosystems and the impact we, as a recreational user, can have on these beautifully wild landscapes."

PROCEEDS

Souza's small business has raised funds for grassroots campaigns to conserve national monuments and, Uzumati always commits 1% of its total sales to the preservation of our planet to boot. Beyond monetary contributions, Souza is constantly working to reduce waste and conserve our earth’s energy and resources in her own business practices.

“In the studio I recycle all clay scraps, throwing water, and fire the kiln during non-peak times. I also support my community by purchasing supplies from local shops, donating to environmental efforts, and volunteering. It’s all about small acts creating positive changes.”

PRODUCTS

DRIFTER TUMBLER

One of Jaclyn’s personal favorites, the Drifter tumbler, is a part of Joshua Tree National Park Collection and inspired by an evening scramble across the desert rock. This multi-functional, thumb-print tumbler features a classic white glazed top and interior with rich rust glazed bottom and exposed textured stoneware in the middle. 

SNOW CREEK MUG

Earth meets sky in this humble vessel with a serious job to do. The Snow Creek Mug is half-dipped in a speckled glaze inspired by the snow-dusted Sierras that Souza traverses. Its pleasant grainy texture whisks us away along her mountain treks where she draws inspiration and continuously falls in love with the wild places she vies to protect.

WHITE TOPOGRAPHY CANDLE

From the towering granite monoliths to the glacier carved valleys, Uzumati’s first signature collection encapsulates the beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Yosemite Collection. With 50 hours of burn time, this high-fire ceramic stoneware pot with lead-free glaze is made from 100% recycled clay. Inside this rustic beauty, natural soy wax infused with premium essential oils and a raw wood wick will transport you to a High Sierra campsite with its notes of pine, leather, whiskey and campfire. Each is hand-carved to celebrate the nuances of our earth, and intended for reuse after the candle has burned through.

You will feel the tactile energy present in Sousa’s work. She explains, “When I’m carving these topographic lines I’m usually reminiscing of my time spent in the mountains. Catching the first light of day, summiting under a fading headlamp, long treks back to camp, and washing it all down with a cold one.”

Take us there, girl!

From Norway to Bali to Morocco to Thailand, Souza's ceramics embody the romantic fragility of our ever-changing world in stoneware that features subtle handcrafted differences she encourages users to appreciate. Next on her travel itinerary - Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. We can't wait to see what earthy goodies are inspired by her upcoming voyage!