Kyle Christensen

Kyle Christensen hand builds organic forms and coils big vessels, and works at never making the same thing twice.

Kyle Christensen at The Clay Hole in Draper, Utah, standing behind a table of eleven of his hand built pots
In clay since 2023 Makes Coiled, organic, no two alike Favorite glaze Raku Oxblood

He had always wanted to. He just needed asking.

How did clay and pottery find you in the first place?

Some friends and I decided to take a class. I’d always wanted to try it; just needed that friendly nudge.

If I wanted something perfect, I’d buy it from HomeGoods.

What do you make, and which piece would you never part with?

I tend to gravitate toward more organic-looking forms. I am primarily a hand-builder and love to coil big vessels. I try not to have two pieces look the same. If I wanted something perfect, I’d buy it from HomeGoods.

The one he is loving right now.

Favorite glaze or combo in our library, and what made you loyal to it?

My favorite glaze changes pretty regularly. I’m currently loving Raku Oxblood.

What he created here at The Clay Hole.

Four pieces went into the raku. Four came out cracked.

What’s the worst pottery disaster you’ve ever had?

I had a very unlucky raku session where all four of my pieces suffered cracks. The silver lining was that it gave me lots of kintsugi practice.

Cody, George, and twenty years in banking.

Who are you when you’re not covered in clay?

I live with my husband, Cody, and our dog, George. I’ve worked in banking for 20 years. I love to read, travel, and cross-stitch. I’ve lived in Utah my whole life. I play the piano and love to sing.

Michael Jackson, McDonald’s, and the sixth member of NSYNC.

What were you like as a kid, and what did you want to be?

When I was a kid, I often told people I wanted to be Michael Jackson and work at McDonalds. There was also a time when I was convinced I’d be the sixth member of *NSYNC.

Hand him a country’s outline.

What are you weirdly good at that has nothing to do with pottery?

I am very good at trivia of all kinds, but I’m particularly good with world capitals and maps. I can guess just about any country from its outline.

He saw it coming, and got out ahead of it.

What are you proudest of that has nothing to do with pottery?

I’m proud of my bald head. I knew I’d eventually lose my hair so I made sure to take full advantage of it while I had it. That made it easy to accept when it was time to bust out the bic and lean into my new look.

Where to find Kyle Christensen’s work.

Is your pottery online or for sale anywhere?

My work is posted on my Instagram. I’ve never sold anything but am open to it.

Instagram

Kyle Christensen makes at The Clay Hole, a community pottery studio in Draper, Utah.