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The process is hypnotic: Gopi Shah firmly throws a cylinder-ish lump of clay onto a still pottery wheel, making an indentation and starting the wheel up after centering it just right. Using a soaking wet sponge, she presses down into the center, shaping the outside with her hand. Like magic, a cup shape rises from the wheel.
Shah gets in a meditative rhythm while creating in her garage studio, making dozens of mugs, tumblers, plates, planters and other functional items a day. Each item is nearly identical to the others in their set, but unique at the same time since she doesn’t use molds.