For two decades as a carver of small wooden sculptural objects, netsuke, and ojime,
Janel Jacobson explored the potential of hardwoods and other carveable materials
such as stag antler, amber and fossil ivory, all of which may also have been used for inlay.
Wood adds a warmth and vitality to her subjects that comes from within
the material itself, as she carved inspirations from nature.

In 2009 Janel began using a small lathe, with hopes for turning forms for carving upon. Exploration was begun in 2011 with turned and carved pieces, and in 2012 she began to make some carved pieces that are wearable as necklaces or pins, or that could be worn either way.

As the decades passed, the economic situation's changing nature and the audiences evolved, Janel found a new point in time that forced a change to return to working full-time with clay again.  In 2016 she began a new chapter in her long career as a self-employed artist. 

In her words:

"Pottery making was my first, and enduring love. My return to making pots full time in 2016 after a twenty-year, deep affair with carving small wood sculptures has been a remarkably interesting period of growth for me. Studio ceramics has changed and blossomed a great deal since I began making pottery in 1970 and carving porcelain from the mid 1980’s to 1995. There is so much more now to learn about and to try!

I currently enjoy using porcelain clay while making useful pots, and continue to pursue developing forms that may be gently reshaped, carved and textured to be enhanced with celadon glazes; or to serve as a canvas for active, responsive carbon trapping glazes."

Our new studio web site with web shops:  https://www.sunrisemnpottery.com