Danielle Skentzos

Danielle Skentzos is the potter behind Shiralee Pottery, based in rural Oro-Medonte, Ontario. Drawing inspiration from the rolling landscapes of Simcoe County, she creates functional ceramics that bring warmth, softness, and an earthy elegance to everyday life. Her work includes cups, bowls, tableware, vases, planters, and candle holders—pieces meant to be used and loved in both home and cottage settings.

Danielle’s connection to clay grew out of a background in education and a lifelong appreciation for handmade objects. Her forms are clean and approachable, grounded in utility, yet shaped by a sensitivity to texture, tone, and natural rhythm. Alongside her functional line, she also produces a small series of raku-fired work, including sculptural horsehair and Obvara-fired pieces that highlight the raw and unpredictable beauty of alternative firing methods.

In addition to making, Danielle teaches local pottery classes and co-leads the Mentorship Program for FUSION: The Ontario Clay & Glass Association. Her work can be found in select galleries across Ontario, including The Gardiner Museum Shop and the Algonquin Art Centre. Through Shiralee Pottery, she invites others to find quiet joy in the everyday through the touch of handmade clay.