MEET THE
Copper Sun Creations I
t is so interesting to learn the story behind makers we meet—and Jeffrey Bodwin’s story is so fun to hear! He brings his background of teaching chemistry into his ceramics—Copper Sun Creations. Sidenote: one of our very favorite coffee mugs to enjoy in the morning was created by him. Read on for more!
By Ashley Morken, Unglued Photo Provided By Copper Sun Creations
102 | MAY 2022 | FARGOMONTHLY.COM
Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m originally from northeastern Wisconsin. I was very fortunate to discover a passion for chemistry in high school and I went on to study chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the University of Michigan before moving to Moorhead to teach chemistry. I find chemistry to be a very creative field, although the type of creativity is not often what people think of when they think of the word, “creative." Describe what type of products you make under Copper Sun Creations? My focus is mostly on functional ceramics— mugs and cups and bowls and plates—but I also make decorative pieces like planters, ceramic magnets, vases, luminaries and incense burners. I also have a line of “Patio Pals” that are ceramic drink covers to keep the bugs out when you’re enjoying a beverage in the great outdoors. Although I do have a few consistent product styles, each item is individually hand-made so they are each unique. Tell us how you got started with ceramics? My journey in ceramics began with a class at the Plains Art Museum. My partner and I wanted to share an experience and we had been exposed to the local ceramics community by volunteering with Plants for Patients. By the end of that 8-week class,
I knew I had found a life-long passion that complements my interest in chemistry. There’s a lot of chemistry in ceramics, especially in glaze formulations, and it’s always fascinating to see how subtle changes in the chemical composition of a glaze can have a big impact on the appearance of the final product. What is your personal favorite item you have created? There have been a number of items that I have really liked, but a few that stand out are a series of cups and mugs that I made to look like bamboo and some of the pieces with a woodgrain pattern hand-carved in the surface. One of the most satisfying parts of the ceramic process for me personally is adding texture to the surface of a piece either by carving in the wet clay or using other techniques to disrupt the smooth surface of the clay. Surface textures interact with the glazes to make unique and interesting patterns in the final piece as the glaze flows and pools in and out of the texture. What tends to be the most popular item at markets you sell at? Mugs are probably the most popular pieces, although cups, bowls and bud vases are also popular. I like making bud vases because they are small pieces that