Meet owner and craftsman, Jillian Schimmel

Originally from Philadelphia, Jillian moved to Phoenix in 2008 to major in ceramics at Arizona Sate University; where she fell in love with the heat and the sunsets and never looked back. After a short stint in California she returned to Phoenix and founded Lafayette Avenue Ceramics.

 

She loves sharing her passion and knowledge of sustainable living through this business; and spends her days throwing most of the pottery, answering your emails and doing all of the odds and ends that make the make the business run. When she’s not in the studio, Jillian is usually found outside soaking up the sun or experimenting with vegan baking.

 

Meet Emily

Emily is an ASU Ceramics student and avid potter herself. She has been working for Lafayette Avenue Ceramics since 2016 doing everything from sanding, to glaze development to shipping. She is an  Arizona native and spends her free time playing with her adorable rescue pup and studying away- she is completing a minor and a certificate program in addition to her BFA!

 

Meet Brian

The only one of the bunch with a “real job”, Brian spends two evenings a week in the Lafayette Avenue studio throwing pottery and helping with glazing and firings. He is also enjoys teaching and is now offering private lessons in our studio, email for more info!

 

Why “Lafayette Avenue”?

 In Ventnor City, New Jersey- right next to the famous Atlantic City- there is is a quaint street where the front doors are always open, and families gather out on the front porch to enjoy the ocean view. On Lafayette Avenue, there was a small grey house with a red door. This is where the Schimmel family is from and its our heart, soul and inspiration.

 

Click here to read more about our vision.