Hi, I'm Shuba Iyer — a ceramic artist and educator based in Naperville, IL.

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Clay found me when I least expected it. With a background in IT, I never imagined I'd trade keyboards for kilns, but once I took my first pottery class, I was hooked. What began as a hobby quickly became my refuge — a space for quiet joy, creative flow, and unexpected growth.

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From that very first wheel session, I was captivated by the meditative rhythm of working with clay. As I explored new techniques, forms, and glazes, I also had the joy of taking on special projects — like creating custom pottery for a cookbook and being featured in a design magazine. These milestones deepened my creative curiosity and reinforced my passion for sharing clay with others.

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Pottery has taught me to be present, to let go of perfection, and to embrace the messy, beautiful process of learning. Just when I think I've mastered something, clay reminds me to stay humble — much like life itself. These days, I spend more time than I care to admit thinking about pottery, watching pottery videos, and geeking out with fellow clay lovers.

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Kneaded Earth, my studio and creative haven, was born from a desire to offer others the same kind of healing, grounding experience that clay gave me. Through classes, workshops, and collaborative projects, it’s become a place where art, function, and community meet. Watching students of all backgrounds come together — sharing stories, laughing, learning — is one of the greatest joys of my work.

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I feel incredibly lucky to witness the moment someone falls in love with clay: when the outside world melts away, and they're fully immersed in the creative now. It's a reminder that art not only connects us — it transforms us.

 

Welcome to Kneaded Earth.
A space where form follows feeling, creativity knows no bounds, and the joy of clay is shared with all.