Cao Shi Mu Tao Chuang Introduction
Cao Shi Mu Tao is located near the Laojie Old Street in Hukou. This place embodies a passion for handmade crafts and life. The founders, Yeh Shih-Chi and her husband, are enthusiasts and experts in handicrafts; one is enamored with pottery, while the other excels in building houses, crafting lifestyle products, and cooking. Together, the couple lives harmoniously in the mountains of Hukou Township, following the rhythms of nature. Yeh Shih-Chi has been skilled in crafts since childhood, and at the age of 38, she returned to pottery. She excels at blending creative concepts with refined techniques, creating zodiac-themed ceramic art, and her "Seahorse Teapot," designed for the Year of the Dragon, was selected for the 2024 Taiwan Golden Kettle Award. The studio is open to the public by appointment only. She believes that pottery creation should be free and enjoyable; therefore, she customizes courses based on students' schedules, group sizes, and learning interests, allowing everyone to enjoy the process of conversing with clay in a pressure-free environment. "Centering" is a fundamental skill in pottery, requiring students to focus on the connection between their hands and the clay, helping the clay find balance as it spins. Color clays and texture additions bring more personalized elements to the works, presenting a unique aesthetic through various molds and color variations. Students can choose to create painted mugs, ceramic plates, tea sets, and even attempt more challenging wood-fired pieces. The intertwining of flames and time gives wood-fired pottery a unique, warm texture. Wood firing is a method filled with uncertainties and surprises; each opening of the kiln yields results that are not completely predictable, and that uncertainty is the charm of wood firing. Yeh Shih-Chi particularly recommends couples or newlyweds to come here to create "couple mugs" together, allowing their works to witness their emotions and share this warmth with friends and family. Besides experiencing pottery art in a tranquil paradise away from the noise, Yeh Shih-Chi also brews a good pot of tea and invites students to savor fine tea while enjoying the sounds of birds and insects, leading everyone to liberate their thoughts in this peaceful place, quietly listening to the inner voice. She hopes that everyone can complete their handcrafted pottery art by integrating their spirit with nature after reflecting on themselves, recharging their lives, and inspiring new ideas. "Practice makes perfect, and as long as you treat everything with sincerity, every piece can be a good work!"
