Rory Pots on Rhythm

Rory Shamlian is the creator behind Rory Pots, the Burlington, Vermont based ceramic lighting and design business that has been growing into itself for the last few years. Following a long period of practice in ceramic arts and skilled trades, she started Rory Pots in 2019 after completing a women’s small-business course through Mercy Connections, though her relationship with pottery began long before. It started as a source of grounding during the deep winters of Vermont and quickly became an all-consuming study of design and craft when she realized the natural connection she had with the medium. After working with the Burlington City Arts studio as a ceramic studio assistant, she went on to apprentice with established production potter, Jeremy Ayers and after years of independent study, and a lot of grit, Rory Pots was born.

Rory’s ceramic lighting and object designs are heavily influenced by her time working as a vintage lighting technician at the Lamp Shop in Burlington, VT. While working there, lamps from every era came across the work bench to get refurbished, inspiration was abound. From mid century modern, Scandinavian, danish modern, Japandi, and minimalist designs, to art deco and dynamic sixties colorways - there was endless creative nourishment for a a hungry new designer finding her way.