Eleanor Coffelt aims to make functional pieces that are simple and beautiful and will be used frequently in daily life for prepping and sharing food. One of her earliest inspirations was made by a friend; a small cup with a subtle brown glaze, something about the shape and feeling when she held it gave her pleasure each time she drank from it. She mostly uses stoneware clays that contain sand and iron, and her pieces are fired in a high fire kiln. They have an organic and earthy color and texture and they are strong and durable. Eleanor has been working with clay for 15 years, mostly at the Sharon Art House which is a community studio in Golden Gate Park.