Meet the Marketplace No. 013

We started the Prism Boutique Marketplace Collection to introduce our community to local artists from across the country, and we’re so excited for you to meet the next round of independent makers. From handmade ceramics to glass blown pieces, the thought and care that goes into each piece crafted by these artists is truly incredible. 

Get to know the talented artists behind each featured brand of our new Marketplace Collection, and show your support any way you can.

Catherine Rex
Costa Mesa, CA

Catherine Rex's journey into ceramics is a blend of childhood inspiration, natural discovery, and a deep-seated love for creation. Growing up with a painter for a mother, Catherine was immersed in the arts from an early age. "My mother is a painter, and as a child, she would let me paint alongside her at the bottom of her huge canvases," she recalls. However, her most vivid memory of working with clay comes from an experience in the Sierra Nevada mountains with her aunt. "I remember digging a line of clay out of the trail after a rain when it’s easiest to see and shaping it into a cup right there in the forest.

While she’s always had a need to create, Catherine never envisioned a career in it. Initially, Rex Design started as a passion project while she worked in marketing at a startup. When the startup unexpectedly shut down, she saw an opportunity to turn her growing side business into a full-blown brand. "I realized I had a growing business in Rex Design, so I took the leap," she says.

For Catherine, the creative process is deeply intertwined with her daily life and experiences. "My work is a reflection of my daily life, capturing beauty in fleeting moments and transitions," she says. Her years living aboard a sailboat and her connection to the California coast often inspire her creations. The female form is a recurring motif in her work, shaped by her lifelong passion for dance. “This fascination with movement breathes life into my pieces, where dancers often take form. I am always striving to explore the power of femininity through the female form as well as mother nature,” she says.

Bowman Ceramics
Long Beach, CA

Beth Bowman's introduction to ceramics started during her days off from floral design. "Keeping the creative flow moving in a new medium was so inspiring for me, knowing that unlike a floral arrangement which lasts just a few days, I could take another natural material like clay and make something that will last forever," Beth says. Over time she was able to take ceramics orders and projects which enabled her to shift into becoming a full-time ceramicist. 

Beth's creative process is rooted in practicality and daily use. "I love to make practical pieces to be used every day," she says. As she throws wet clay on the wheel, she applies years of practice and refined techniques to shape each piece. The shapes, silhouettes, and styles she has developed over the years reflect her dedication to continuous learning and improvement.

"I love to focus on the overall look and feel of the pieces, and my goal is to find that flow on the wheel and the movement of the clay," Beth explains. Her work is characterized by a harmonious blend of form and function, where each piece is designed to be both beautiful and useful.

Beth also teaches ceramics classes and workshops, a venture that started with friends and family. “As I began to open my home studio to others I found how much joy it brought to fill my house with creativity and the craft of making pottery together. It’s amazing to show others that they can make purposeful pieces with their hands,” she says. Being part of the active and thriving pottery community at Clay on First in Long Beach also keeps her inspired. Teaching allows her to pass on her knowledge and skills while fostering a sense of community and creativity among her students.

Paul Lowe Ceramics
Palm Springs, CA

A former food and prop stylist, Paul's career path took an unexpected turn when he couldn't find the exact plate he envisioned for a photoshoot. This quest led him to a ceramics class a decade ago, where he not only made what he was looking for but also discovered a profound love for working with clay. “I was always making stuff since I was a kid, and kind of made it my life,” he says.

Inspired by his Nordic roots, Paul also infuses eclectic desert influences into his designs. “My work is simple, rustic, and real,” he says. “I like my work to look handmade, a real person made it and imperfections are part of life. As my grandmother would say, ‘Oh Paul, perfection is so boring.’”

His favorite part of the process? Patience. Ceramics, unlike many other crafts, demands patience at every stage—from shaping and molding to firing and glazing. Each piece requires careful attention, dedication, and time. Paul says, “I'm very impatient, and ceramics have taught me to trust the process.”