Sustainability: My Commitment to the Earth (it's the only planet we have to live on)

At Blue Nose Trading, I believe that creating beautiful objects shouldn't come at the cost of the environment. As a small-batch studio artist based in Texas, I am committed to mindful production and reducing my footprint through every stage of the ceramic process.

Circular Craft: Reclaiming Clay

Pottery is inherently a material-heavy craft, but I strive for a zero-waste studio. In my studio, I practice a "circular" reclamation process:

• No Clay Left Behind: Every scrap of clay from the "trimming" process and every drop of "slip" from the potter’s wheel is collected in 5 gallon buckets and recycled to be used again.

• The Reclamation Process: This scrap clay is dried, re-hydrated, and wedged back into a workable state. This ensures that I maximize my resources and keep waste out of the local environment. Check out this video to see how I recycle my clay.

Eco-Friendly, Plastic-Free Shipping

Shipping ceramics can require a lot of packaging to ensure that every piece can travel through the postage system safely. I put a lot of effort into sourcing packaging materials that are plastic free and compostable to make sure your pieces arrive safely without polluting the planet. Here are some of the materials I use to pack my orders:

• Honeycomb paper, as a sustainable substitute to plastic bubble wrap.
• Recycled brown packing paper, as a void fill.
• Compostable corn starch packing peanuts.
• Water-activated paper tape, as a more sustainable substitute to plastic packing tape.
• Recycled cardboard boxes, that can also be recycled or used again.
• Ink-stamped "fragile" markings.

Check out this video here to see how I pack my orders safely with sustainable packaging.

Built to Last (The Anti-Disposable Philosophy)

The most sustainable product is one that never needs to be replaced. By firing my stoneware to full vitrification, I create professional-grade ceramics that are designed to last a lifetime. My "Slow Made" approach is a direct alternative to mass-produced, disposable goods. 

Reducing Single-Use Waste: The Ceramic Travel Mug

Every year, billions of disposable paper cups end up in landfills because their plastic linings make them difficult to recycle. I designed my handmade ceramic travel mugs to be a permanent, beautiful alternative to single-use culture.

• Designed for the Commute: Unlike many handmade mugs, my mugs are made with narrow bases to fit in car cup holders, making it easy to choose your ceramic mug over a disposable one every morning. My mugs have a base width of 2.5"-3", and as cup holder size is determined by each individual and not standard, if you think you need a specific size, please reach out to me at torisolis@bluenosetrading.com so I can check to see if I have the perfect fit for your cup holder.

• Superior Heat Retention: High-fired stoneware naturally holds heat longer than paper or thin plastic, keeping your coffee at the perfect temperature for the duration of your drive.

• A Lifetime Investment: By switching to a vitrified, dishwasher-safe ceramic tumbler, you can prevent hundreds of paper cups from entering the waste stream every year.

Supporting Our Community

Our commitment to the planet extends to its inhabitants. By donating a portion of my profits to animal welfare charities like the SPCA of Texas, I hope to foster a world where both nature and animals can thrive.