When it comes to art, it’s often a ‘you can look but you better not touch’ mantra. Now imagine art that you’re encouraged to not only pick up but to use. That’s the goal of artist James Beez States of Mansfield, who creates ceramic pieces that are not only functional but beautiful.

“I prefer to produce something that people will use instead of just being decorative, yet still be visually appealing,” James says, referring to the mugs, tumblers, and bowls he designs at his studio. “As I sculpt the clay, I think about how it will feel in someone’s hands as they’re having their morning coffee.”

James, who was given the nickname Beez when he was three months old, is originally from Huntington, Pennsylvania, but moved to the area in 2005, when he accepted the position of art teacher at Mansfield High School. Part of the curriculum was ceramics, so it made sense for him to make ceramics, too.

“My students kid me about having this great side hustle,” James says with a chuckle. He converted his garage into his ceramic studio approximately three years ago, then opened his Etsy shop. He ships all over the continental United States and Canada. He also offers classes at his studio.

“It takes maybe ten minutes to ‘throw’ a piece of pottery, but the entire process can take a week or more,” James explains. “You have to clean it up, add the handles, and glaze it before it gets fired in the kiln. It takes time.” One of his more popular designs is the Forest Silhouette mug, where a special wax is applied before it’s dipped in the glaze. “The wax prevents the glaze from sticking to the mug, revealing the design,” James says. “I sell out of those all the time.”

James recently got into wood-firing some of his ceramics, which produces a different finished product. “It’s fairly intensive because the fire requires around the clock attention to reach the desired temperature of 2,300 degrees. The ash and minerals from the wood fire are what gives the pottery its color and texture.”

James can be reached through his Etsy store at beezceramicstudio.etsy.com, on Facebook at James Beez States, and on Instagram @james_beez_states.