Malia Peoples of Melted Porcelain is a Seattle-based jewelry maker who creates from porcelain, colored glass powder, and liquid gold.
Seattle Refined: How long have you been creating? What media do you work with?
Peoples: I am an art educator and small business owner with a background in fashion design. I am also well versed in the textile arts and have recently developed a ceramics practice. I teach at museums, schools and arts organizations and design for Other Peoples Polyester, a line of clothing made from double knit polyester.
Can you tell us about your artistic process and how the different stages work in it?
It takes 16 tedious steps to refine porcelain clay into a beautiful piece of wearable art. I start by layering and rolling out stacked pieces of colored clay, then the figures are cut, shaped and glazed. Then I’ll put on a respirator and paint surface designs with 18k liquid gold and iridescence. The fourth and final firing places the gold. Finally, the jewels are assembled and make their way out into the world.
Tell us where your inspiration for your art comes from.
My work is a celebration of porcelain in its wearable form. I like to mix different colors and patterns and my approach to ceramics is similar to what I look for in fashion. Melted is a quirky and color-driven line of jewelry inspired by current fashion trends and what’s in my stash of vintage fabrics. The surface design is intuitively applied and incorporates elements of mid-century Hawaiian art.
Do you have a particular type of jewelry that you like to make best?
Sparkling spectacular earrings! I love wearing them and working with porcelain requires a lot of testing before the jewelry goes on the market.
Do you have something that means more to you or is extra special to you?
Anything handmade is imbued with mana, especially things made from natural materials like clay. There are three of my early necklaces that I just can’t let go for this reason. They are special; not because they were my first works, but as a reminder of the things that happened during an important, transformative period in my life.
What experiences in your life have most influenced your art?
As a Kanaka descendant living in the Pacific Northwest, the climate was a challenge for me. I am sensitive to the lack of light and lack of color during our long gray seasons. My art is a reflection of what I need to thrive – to be surrounded by color, happiness and lots of laughter.
If we want to see more of your work, where should we go to find it?
Many new pieces have just been posted in my Melted Porcelain online store. Locally, Sairen in the International District and Saltstone Ceramics in Wallingford carry Melted, as do several other stores across the United States. I pop into markets in Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii throughout the year; my event schedule, new work and course offerings are updated frequently on Instagram @meltedporcelain, Facebook and my events page. I am also considering opening my commercial workshop at Artspace Mt. Baker Lofts for special events, so keep an eye out. Well done for supporting my artistic endeavours!
What’s next for you? Something you’re working on right now that you’re really excited about?
After years of creating jewelry, I now make larger ceramic pieces for use in mixed media and textile art installations. I have spent the last few years in Hawaii and in Washington studying Kapa (bark cloth) and more recently Kaula (cable making). Funding from 4culture and the Washington State Arts Commission continues to support my work in traditional Native Hawaiian arts. My vision is to make textiles from non-traditional plant sources using traditional Hawaiian tools and techniques to tell my story as a Kanaka.
Finally, how do you drink your coffee? (Everyone please!)
Tighten up. I don’t drink coffee, but we can still be friends!
About Artist of the Week: This city is full of artists we love to feature every week on Seattle Refined! If you have a local artist in mind that you’d like to see featured, let us know at [email protected]. And if you’re wondering what art is, that’s its beauty; up to you! Check out all our past artists of the week in our special section.
