Kalah Bernardo is the creator and founder of Common Clay, a small batch ceramics brand based in Chattanooga, TN with an emphasis on simplistic form and the beauty of raw stoneware. With a background in fine woodworking, Kalah began her small business as a woodworker in her home state of California in 2018 before her introduction to pottery in 2022.
Kalah has always been drawn to organic materials as the primary medium of her creative practice. Whether it be wood or clay, she feels there is something deeply human and connecting about the ancient practice of engaging with materials from the natural world in an act of generative creativity.
Pottery is one of the oldest and most widespread art forms in human history, a common thread connecting contemporary potters to cultures and practices around the world spanning tens of thousands of years. Endlessly curious and a bit of a romantic, Kalah has been helplessly wooed by this slow, intentional, ever fluid craft that offers an immensely rich history and a means to create work that reflects her deep appreciation for the natural world around her.
When she is not working in her home studio, Kalah can be found at Scenic City Clay Arts, covered in clay, leaning into kilns, and taking care of day to day studio operations. SCCA was Kalah’s first introduction to pottery and she considers herself immeasurably lucky to have found such a supportive and knowledgeable team of women and community of artists to learn from.
eco-friendly packaging
Caring for the environment and remaining mindful of our impact on our delicate ecosystem is exceptionally important to us. We use 100% recyclable shipping materials including recycled cardboard boxes (made from 95% post-consumer content), wrapping paper, GreenWrap (a naturally biodegradable alternative to bubble wrap), and biodegradable packaging tape and sealable bags. For more info, check out EcoEnclose.
sustainability
All of our work is sustainably handcrafted in small batches. All clay trimmings and clay waste are reclaimed and recycled to be utilized for future projects, as is the water used in the throwing process.
The variable nature of pottery lends itself to a certain degree of error. Thus, all marginally flawed or defective items are sold as seconds in order to reduce the number of pieces that would otherwise end up in the landfill. After all, we believe that imperfections often contribute to the visual interest of a piece, and imperfect pieces are just as worthy of adoration. Check out the “seconds” shop if you’d like to give an imperfect piece a place to call home.
FREE PALESTINE
A portion of every purchase will be donated to Operation Olive Branch to supply Palestinian families in Gaza with essential resources and medical care as they persist in their survival during this grave genocide.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, your unwavering support has become more essential than ever. With winter closing in and humanitarian corridors still shut, the people of Gaza face an even graver struggle for survival. The basic necessities of life—shelter, warmth, food, and medical care—are now more scarce than they were last October. Families are enduring unimaginable hardships, and together, we must act swiftly to bring them the relief they so desperately need.