Our Story
A Mother's Inspiration & Ancient Craft
Cherished in Clay began in 2018 as a mother's desire to capture and preserve her newborn's tiny hand and footprints in a beautiful, lasting way. After struggling to find high-quality, affordable options that truly captured the essence of those precious early days, Sarah Johnson decided to create her own.
With a background in art and design, and drawing from her heritage from Liling City (known as "China's Ceramic Capital"), Sarah combined her artistic vision with the ancient 1,000-year-old underglaze enamel techniques that her hometown is famous for. She spent months perfecting her craft to create keepsakes that meet rigorous safety standards.
The Liling Underglaze Enamel Difference
What makes our keepsakes truly special is the use of authentic Liling underglaze enamel ("you xia cai") techniques. Unlike regular overglaze methods, this ancient craft involves applying colored pigments beneath the glaze before firing. This creates pieces where the designs become an integral part of the ceramic, ensuring they never fade or wear off.
Today, as a passionate solo artisan, I (Sarah Johnson) personally oversee every aspect of creating your keepsakes. From molding the clay to applying the final glaze, I ensure each piece meets the highest standards of quality and safety. All our products are made with non-toxic, lead-free materials that meet and exceed CPSC requirements for children's products.
