Christopher Spitzmiller on "The Martha Stewart Podcast"
So many of you are enjoying "The Martha Stewart Podcast." These shows are when I sit down for one-on-one conversations with fascinating people from all walks of life to learn how their individual careers began, how they have evolved, and what tips they have for listeners. These talks are filled with information, inspiration, and lots of laughter. If you haven’t already, please tune in - it's available on the iHeart media app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Today, we're releasing another great episode - this one with noted ceramist, entrepreneur, author, and my friend, Christopher Spitzmiller. Christopher is an artist. He creates one-of-a-kind, timeless lamps. In fact, he's made lamps for four different White House Administrations, the Presidential Blair House, and many other distinguished American homes. But how did he become so successful? What drives his passions? Why lamps? We delve deep into his background to hear his stories.
Not too long ago, I also had the chance to visit his New York City atelier where he and his talented team design and create the lamps - enjoy these photos and be sure to listen to "The Martha Stewart Podcast."
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- I always enjoy visiting the studios where beautiful handmade items are manufactured. Here I am with Christopher at his Manhattan studio where he “creates jewelry for the home.” We’re standing in front of a wall of shelves filled with some of his gorgeous and colorful lamps – ready for their new homes.
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- This shelf is also filled with finished pieces – all personally designed and meticulously crafted by Christopher and his team of 14 artisans.
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- Here is Christopher explaining the manufacturing process to me. Each piece is hand thrown and then molded, glazed, and wired. Christopher is always developing new glazing techniques, new colors, and patterns.
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- This area is where all the plaster molds and straps are kept.
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- Here, the molds are strapped together and poured with the wet clay and then left overnight.
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- Here is a top view after the liquid clay is poured into the mold. As it dries with the slip in the mold, the plaster draws out liquid from the slip. This leaves a clay wall against the inside of the plaster mold.
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- And here is the piece once it is removed from the mold. The next step is to smooth out all the lines. Each mold can be used about 100-times.
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- Here is the lamp on the potters wheel where more hand work is done to remove the lines from the slip cast molding process.
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- A kiln is an insulated chamber, a type of oven, that heats to very high temperatures in order to harden and dry the lamps. Unlike an oven, however, it does not melt the objects enclosed, so it is perfect for drying out ceramics or layers of glaze.
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- Christopher’s team fills the kilns in the afternoon and then lets the lamps sit overnight in 1900 degrees Fahrenheit. At this stage, they can pack them in pretty tightly. Once the glaze is put on and fired again in the kiln, the lamps will not be allowed to touch each other.
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- These pieces have been been fired once. They are now waiting for glaze.
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- The glaze is put on from the top and then dried in between coats.
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- Here is one in between coats. It will dry for about an hour before another coat is poured. The amount of coats needed depends on the glaze.
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- Each lamp is set in a hand turned hardwood base. This one is coated with gold leaf. Some bases are also offered stained or water gilded with white gold.
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- The process is done so carefully. Here is the gold leaf being applied to a base.
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- This lamp is waiting to be wired.
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- All the electrification is done at the studio.
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- This lamp features a hand done basket weave lines grid and a rich spruce glaze.
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- These lamps are completed and purchased. They’re on this shelf waiting to be shipped out.
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- And in this section of the studio – a showroom of available pieces – every one truly a work of art and love.
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- Go to my podcast, “The Martha Stewart Podcast” – available on the iHeart media app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and listen to my conversation with Christopher Spitzmiller – you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll be inspired.
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