Custom Commissions
Your pet, carved in clay.
Kept for good.
The Potter’s Hands Studio creates custom pet pottery in Mississippi — wheel-thrown stoneware carved by hand with your pet’s portrait using the sgraffito technique. Artist April Dupuis layers porcelain slip over stoneware, then carves your dog, cat, or horse into the surface line by line from the photo you send. Every piece is one of a kind, finished with lead-free, food-safe glazes, and fired to last for generations.
How a pet commission works
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Send a photo
Share one or two clear photos of your pet and tell April a little about them — their name, their personality, the look you want. A side profile or head-on shot works best for carving.
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April carves
Your piece is thrown on the wheel, coated in porcelain slip, and your pet’s portrait is carved by hand — whiskers, ears, markings — using the same sgraffito technique April teaches and exhibits.
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Fired & shipped
The piece is glazed, kiln-fired twice, and packed carefully for shipping anywhere in the U.S. Most pet commissions are finished in 4–6 weeks.
What you can commission
Portrait plates & platters
Your pet’s face carved into a hanging plate or serving platter — the signature piece. Add their name, a Southern floral border, or gold leaf detailing.
Treat jars & bowls
Lidded stoneware jars and feeding bowls carved with your pet’s name. Food-safe, lead-free glazes on every surface that touches kibble or treats.
Memorial keepsakes
A quiet way to keep a good companion close — a small carved vessel, plaque, or cross to honor a pet who has passed. Ask April about preserving a collar tag or dried flowers in resin.
- Made in
- Mississippi, USA — every piece thrown and carved by April Dupuis
- Turnaround
- Most pet commissions ship in 4–6 weeks
- Materials
- Stoneware, porcelain slip, lead-free food-safe glazes
- Every piece
- One of a kind — carved by hand, never printed or stamped
Pet pottery questions
What photo should I send for a pet portrait?
One or two clear, well-lit photos taken at your pet’s eye level work best — a side profile or head-on shot. April will let you know if she needs a different angle before carving begins.
How long does a custom pet piece take?
Most pet commissions are finished in 4–6 weeks from the time your design is approved. Each piece is thrown, carved, and fired twice, so timelines can stretch slightly during busy seasons — order early for holidays.
Are the treat jars and bowls safe for pets?
Yes. Every functional piece is finished with lead-free, food-safe glazes and is safe for daily use. Decorative resin and gold leaf details are reserved for non-food surfaces.
Can you make a memorial piece for a pet who has passed?
Yes. April makes carved memorial vessels, plaques, and crosses, and can inlay keepsakes such as a collar tag or dried flowers preserved in resin. These commissions are handled gently and at your pace.
How much does a custom pet commission cost?
Pricing depends on the piece and level of detail. Share your idea through the commission form below and April will reply with a quote and timeline — there’s no obligation to book.
Tell April about your pet
Send a photo and a few details — you’ll get a personal reply with ideas, pricing, and a timeline.
Start a commission