A high shelf that circulates the rooms of
Miranda’s pottery workshop holds ceramic
artifacts from various world cultures.
Transitioning east to west as you move
along the chronological continuum, the
historical pieces pay a poignant tribute to
the pottery styles that influenced
Miranda’s artistic development. From the
kaolin and feldspar rich porcelain
ceramics of China to the alkaline
copper-rich turquoise pottery of the
Middle East, the prevalent colors and textures
in each culture were all determined
by the chemical compositions of their clay.
In Miranda’s pieces, a variety of specialized
mineral compounds present in the clay she
uses create vivid textures and layers of
color, mingling and coalescing in a
chemical dance in the flames of the kiln to
produce her uniquely sophisticated and
evocative creations. In the same way that
Charles uses his hammer and chisel to
actualize his artistic vision through his
woodwork, Miranda uses her potter’s
wheel and kiln to unlock the vibrant
potential of her clay and tell the story of
the ground that it came from.
As Charles and Miranda continued to hone
their mastery of their respective crafts,
their joint operation blossomed into a
thriving and established brand. They
garnered a devoted clientele base of
discerning customers and achieved
worldwide recognition for their creative
efforts. Miranda has designed diplomatic
gifts for international dignitaries and U.S.
Presidents, including Kofi Annan, Barack
Obama, and Bill Clinton. Charles was
recognized by the Vermont Senate as
“Woodworker of the Year” and became an
influential founding member of the
Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers.
Charles and Miranda attribute their
continued success to a combination of
hard work and adherence to the guiding
philosophy behind their pieces, which
combines refined elegance with
soulful functionality. While the shapes and
textures of their creations are certainly a
captivatingly stylish feast for the senses,
the true ShackletonThomas difference lies
in their ability to make pieces that are both
timelessly alluring and tastefully practical.
Charles has served as a judge at the
National Crafts Competition in Ireland
several times and readily admits that he is
“very particular” when it comes to artistic
judgement. He says that although
flawlessly executed woodwork is certainly
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