About Willow Bonsai Ceramics
Willow Bonsai Ceramics is a small, family‑run pottery studio based in Colorado, USA, creating handcrafted ceramic bonsai pots, dog bowls, dachshund pieces, and decorative stoneware with care, intention, and attention to detail.
Although our studio in the United States began in August 2024, our journey with ceramics and bonsai started long before that — and on the other side of the world.
Our Story
Founder Antony Smith has been passionate about bonsai since the age of twelve. Originally trained as a landscape designer, Antony’s love for form, balance, and natural design naturally aligned with the art of bonsai.
In 2014, an unexpected opportunity changed everything — the purchase of a small pottery business, despite having no formal experience in ceramics at the time. What began as curiosity and experimentation slowly evolved into a deep respect for the ceramic process and its possibilities.
At first, pottery was simply a creative outlet alongside a small bonsai side business. Over time, that side project grew into a full‑time operation in South Africa. In 2016, Antony’s wife Mavourneen joined the business full time, and Willow Bonsai Ceramics became a true family endeavor.
In 2024, we made the life‑changing decision to immigrate to Colorado, bringing not only our experience and tools, but also our five dachshunds, who started this journey with us, and three that remain by our side as part of the team today. We began a new chapter — rebuilding our studio and business from the ground up in the USA.
How our ceramics are made
Every piece we create is the result of a carefully considered process that blends modern technology with traditional ceramic craftsmanship.
Our designs begin in‑house using CAD software, where Antony develops each form with function, proportion, and detail in mind. From there, masters are produced using high‑resolution resin 3D printing, allowing for crisp detail and precise control.
Molds are then created from these masters, and each piece is slip cast by hand using liquid clay. While molds help maintain consistency, our work is never mass‑produced. Every piece passes through our hands multiple times and through multiple stages of refinement.
We use commercial glazes that are rigorously tested on our specialized clay body. We are especially drawn to reactive glazes — finishes with depth, movement, and variation that bring each piece to life. All firings are done in our electric kilns at 1260°C / 2300°F, ensuring strong, durable, high‑fired ceramics.
We are constantly evolving: experimenting with new glazes, developing unglazed ranges, refining designs, and improving every step of our process to make the best ceramics we possibly can.
Who we are
Willow Bonsai Ceramics is run by Antony Smith and Mavourneen Smith, working side by side from our 3,500 sq ft barn studio in Colorado.
- Antony handles CAD design, 3D printing, mold making, casting, and glazing.
- Mavourneen refines and levels every piece, oversees quality control, manages invoicing and shipping, and ensures that nothing leaves the studio without her approval.
We both package and prepare orders, and our three dachshunds are always nearby — often supervising from the best sunny spot in the pottery.
Why we make...
We describe our work as detailed, handcrafted, and unique.
Our hope is that when you hold one of our pieces, you can feel the time, effort, and care that went into making it — from the design and form to the glaze or unglazed finish. We want our ceramics to be appreciated not just for their function, but for their nuances and character.
Although we use molds, every stage of every piece is hands‑on and small‑batch. Our work is not mass‑produced. Our hands touch every step, and variation is not a flaw — it is a signature of handmade craft.
Thank you for supporting small‑batch, family‑made ceramics.
