Caoshimu Pottery

Caoshimu Pottery, located some distance from Hukou Old Street, embodies a deep passion for handmade crafts and life. Founder Yeh Shih-chi and her husband are both enthusiasts and masters of handicrafts. She is devoted to pottery, while he excels at building houses, creating household crafts, and cooking. The couple lives in the mountains of Hukou Township, following the rhythms of nature. Yeh Shih-chi has been skilled in handicrafts since childhood, dedicating herself to pottery at the age of 38. She excels at blending creative concepts with refined technical skills to create zodiac-themed pottery, and her "Seahorse Teapot" for the Year of the Dragon was selected for the 2024 Taiwan Golden Teapot Award. The studio is open to the public by appointment only. Believing that pottery creation should be free and joyful, Yeh Shih-chi tailors suitable courses based on students' time, number, and learning interests, allowing everyone to enjoy the process of "conversing with clay" in a stress-free environment. "Centering" is the foundation of pottery, requiring students to focus on the connection between their hands and the clay, allowing it to find balance while spinning. Colored clay and pressed patterns add personalized elements to the works, presenting unique aesthetics through various molds and color variations. Students can choose to make painted mugs, ceramic plates, or tea sets, and can even try more challenging wood-fired works. Under the intertwining of fierce flames and time, wood-fired pottery possesses a unique warm and mellow texture. Wood firing is a method full of unknowns and surprises; each time the kiln is opened, the glaze color and texture of the finished product cannot be fully predicted, and this uncertainty is precisely its charm. Yeh Shih-chi especially recommends couples or newlyweds to come here to create "matching cups" together, letting the creations bear witness to their emotions and sharing this warmth with friends and family. In addition to experiencing pottery in this secluded paradise away from the hustle and bustle, Yeh Shih-chi also brews a pot of fine tea, inviting students to savor excellent tea and listen to the chirping of birds and insects. She guides everyone to free their minds and quietly listen to their inner voices in this tranquil sanctuary, hoping that after self-reflection, they can integrate their minds with nature to complete handmade pottery, recharging their lives and inspiring new ideas. "Practice makes perfect in everything; as long as you treat each piece with sincerity, every one is a good work!"