My name is Melanie Sunshine Dyel. I am a full time mom and potter living in the mountains of western North Carolina. Moving from Long Island back in 2010 has drastically changed my life for the better. My former jobs consisted of being a pharmaceutical buyer and other admin work. I had the opportunity to take a beginners wheel class in 2013 and after that first class I realized that was my true passion. From that day on I kept practicing and never gave up. I was very fortunate to find a work space with many other potters to learn from and grow. To this day I am still in the same studio space and very grateful. 

I work primarily on the wheel making forms based on a tradition of function for use everyday. Inspiration for my work is fueled by nature, my love of birds, fruit and flowers. The slip trailing on all my work is reminiscent of my earlier days working in a bakery decorating  with icing, it is my favorite part of all my clay processes.Slip trailing is a process in ceramics created by squeezing lines of thick, liquid clay onto a wet or leather-hard clay surface using a squeeze-bulb or tube applicator.I feel like my piece will not be complete unless I add some of my flowing slip trailing work. For my pierced bowl leaf designs I use leaves I collect on my hikes in the mountains and create my own stencils. I am never afraid to experiment or come up with new ideas so my work will forever be evolving. I am in love with this medium and it has kept me grounded, humble and taught me great patience. I am  extremely grateful for clay coming into my life!