COVER STORY | Artisan Mom, Danuta Loane and Her Daughter Emma

From Clay to Connection: A Mother-Daughter Pottery Journey Blooms, Meet Danuta and Emma Loane of Danuta Loane Ceramics

ST. CHARLES/DUNDEE–For Danuta, working with her hands has always been second nature. After 15 years of shaping clay into beautiful, functional pieces, her journey began at a holiday show at Fine Line in St. Charles. What started as a creative outlet turned into a thriving small business when people began asking to buy her pottery. That led to her Etsy shop, local art shows, and eventually—Pottery Meets Vintage, a charming booth she now shares with her daughter, Emma at Trend + Relic in St. Charles.

Danuta’s roots in the arts run deep. From art restoration work with the Florence Art Conservation in the '90s to mural painting and teaching at a Montessori school, she’s always followed her creative instincts. Her experience working in her family’s woodworking business with her dad also gave her the confidence to start something of her own.

Emma joined the studio last summer after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer, requiring her to step back from her hairstyling career. Creating with clay quickly became therapeutic as she pursued her associates degree.  She is now a full-blown ceramic artist, known for her whimsical animal caves and painterly pieces.

Together, they make pottery magic in their Dundee home studio. You can find them in person at Trend and Relic, 4th Fridays at The Dole, or monthly at the Crystal Lake Farmers Market.

Did you receive formal training for ceramic design?

I took a pottery class with a friend at the Fineline Art Center in St. Charles, I loved the entire process.  Who knew that it would lead to this?  It's amazing to think how long ago I took my first class (I think it was in 2010), and now I have my own studio at home!

What are your favorite ceramic items to create?

I love it all!  I enjoy the wheel as much as handbuilding.  I make functional pottery and love it when people use what I make.  I sgraffito carve into the clay and I really would say that is my favorite part of what I do.

What is trending in ceramics arts for Spring/Summer 2025?

Handmade plates/bowls that are not so perfect...a little "wonky".  That being said, we both make unique pottery that is decorated in some way not just glazed.  We also have glazed pottery without any of our special touches but the glaze is not plain.  More colorful or interesting with patterns or drips, something you can't buy just anywhere, we both believe if someone is going to buy something handmade by either of us it should be unique and original.

What specialty tools or equipment are necessary to create/design ceramic arts?

The tools needed are first a pottery wheel, slab roller and kiln.  I have small hand tools for trimming and a few molds but that's about it.

Some artists share their emotions through their works, does any of your work represent certain phases of life, highs, lows, etc...?

My work represents my love of nature and I try to incorporate flowers, butterflies and animals in my pottery in some way.  Either by carving or sculpting images into the pottery pieces.

How has modern technology impacted your artwork?

Modern technology such as social media has been great for sharing and connecting with other artists, also opens many doors to be seen.

Danuta and Emma Loane are a true mother-daughter inspiration!

-Kristen Kucharski, Photos by Mike Catuara