About Us
There’s something personal about Alex Marshall Studios’ ceramics. Perhaps it's the unique variations in the glaze or the way the pieces fit perfectly in the hand. Maybe it’s the minimal asymmetrical forms, but there exists an intimate comfort that accompanies the designs, making life a little more luxurious.
Alex Marshall Studios started in 2000 when Alex made her hand-formed plates, bowls, platters and vases as gifts for friends and family. Word of mouth spread and soon Alex’s original shapes and trademark glazes were in demand. Alex Marshall Studios was born. In 2003 Alex’s husband, Andrew Barry, joined her studio and with his project management background they were able to combine their skill sets to grow the studio. A line of lamps soon followed, their first collaborative effort. In 2005 Alex Marshall Studios moved to an olive orchard in Corning, California designing and manufacturing from a studio on their property. In 2009 Alex Marshall Studios introduced personalized home décor for baby & kids’ including dish sets, coin banks, picture frames and lighting. In 2014 the design duo installed an 8 KW solar array on their studio roof to offset 40% of their electrical usage. In 2018 Alex Marshall Studios expanded to a 4000 square foot factory in Chico, CA.
Alex Marshall Studios’ ceramics are available in a variety of nature-inspired colors and forms. From intense blue's to vibrant green's, calming grey's or simple white's, the line includes versatile pieces appropriate for any setting. Platters, bowls and plates compliment food yet also work as sculptural statements. Vases work with flowers and plants or as serving pieces for your favorite side dishes. It’s this modularity that continues to excite the senses with each and every use of an Alex Marshall Studios design.
For Alex, her work is not just about creating a product, but also an exploration into conceptual ideas. One of her favorite themes is the notion of one in many, repeating the same form over and over but with varying results. Alex’s touch influences every piece. From shaping to glazing to firing each step is an opportunity to create slight nuances. This makes for products that are as individual as the people using them. All of Alex’s pieces mold comfortably to the human hand, literally connecting the artist to the collector.
Alex Marshall Studios also adheres to the "Longevity is Green" school of thought. As a design company, we're encouraged by the increasing number of smart solutions to improve the planet. Not all of our designs fit into every category of ecological perfection, but there is one aspect of "green" that's true for everything we produce: longevity. When something is made to last, you don't have to buy it again, which decreases the impact on natural resources and keeps waste out of landfills. In addition, all of our ceramics and glazes are made in northern California, which means less fuel consumption and production consumption.