We first met Mya Finney at NCECA last year, where she won a Skutt kiln—and we’ve been fans ever since! With NCECA 2026 in Detroit just around the corner, we caught up with Mya, who answered our questions all the way from Scotland.
Intuitive and joyful ceramics
When asked how she would describe her work today, Mya said it’s intuitive:
“I don’t plan anything before I make it. Everything happens right on the spot. The clay usually tells me if it wants to be a vase, mug, bowl, etc., and I just follow its lead. Same with glazing—I rarely go in with a plan. The colors I choose are what best fit the piece in that moment.”
Her approach celebrates spontaneity and creativity, allowing each piece to develop naturally under her guidance.
Highlights from the past year
Winning the Skutt kiln has opened doors for Mya in ways she never imagined:
“The biggest highlights in my artistic journey since NCECA last year have definitely been all the pottery friends I’ve met. I was also gifted a wheel from an alumni from my school, which I spray painted pink to better fit my personal style! Having my own kiln and wheel has been a dream come true—it’s allowed me to scale up production and start doing wholesale.”
Mya’s recent work also draws on childhood nostalgia and her background as a historian. Pink, sparkles, and Strawberry Shortcake motifs frequently appear in her pieces, alongside delicate carvings and paintings inspired by medieval manuscripts and botanical illustrations
The Skutt kiln effect
The kiln has transformed Mya’s studio practice:
“Winning the Skutt kiln has increased my production and my confidence in firing and maintaining my work. Because of it, I’ve started selling wholesale in multiple locations and have developed quite the clientele. It’s a dream come true to see my work in demand!”
Her favorite creations? Strawberry mugs with pink glazes, which have become a staple and best-sellers in her line.
Looking ahead
Right now, Mya is taking a short break from clay to pursue her other passion—history—in Scotland:
“From January to April, I’ll be interning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, archiving old documents and illustrations. Taking a break will allow me to return to clay with fresh eyes and fall in love with the process all over again.”
Reflecting on her past year, Mya offers this advice to her former self:
“Listen to your intuition more—the right people will find you at the right time, whether friends or customers. Take the challenging steps to achieve your goals; the answers are often right in front of you.”
We’re so inspired by Mya’s journey and can’t wait to see what she creates next—both in Scotland and back at her studio.
“This past year has been the most I have grown as a person and a ceramicist. Clay has a magical ability to teach you things about yourself and the world. I can’t wait to see what the next year holds!”
