About

     I discovered ceramics when I wanted to make an urn for my mother, who passed away from cancer five years ago.
​I soon fell in love with everything about pottery. I like to think that my mother brought me to this creative outlet. 

     The name Sweetheart Wheel, comes from a term of endearment my mother used , 心肝寶貝 “xīn gān bǎo bèi” which translates to sweetheart in English.  It literally means “my precious kidney and liver”, because of how vital those organs are and how strong my mother loved my brother and I.

     I love creating pottery that highlights the natural color of the clay body along with vibrant glazes to complement. I enjoy playing with textures and colors inspired by nature. I learned the basics from my friends at the Hoffman Center in Manzanita, Oregon. I also did a work exchange with Ken at Horseshoe Gallery, in June Lake, California. I currently live in the beautiful Pacific NorthWest in the small coastal town of Wheeler, OR.  When I am not working as a teacher in a Montessori school or throwing pots, I enjoy surfing, hiking, mushroom hunting, and rock climbing. 

     You can contact Tara with questions or commissions at sweetheartwheel@gmail.com

Tara Spires-Bell