We are husband and wife team, Matt and Bethany! We’ve been married for 12 years, are still in love and have 3 great kids. I used to teach grade one and now stay home with the kids (and do pottery) and Matt works for the government doing education stuff (and does pottery).
Our business actually started in the quest for the ultimate mug! I’ve been an avid pottery collector and have such an appreciation for fine craftsmanship. A drink just tastes so much better from a handmade mug. I noticed that many of my favorite mugs are not dishwasher or microwave safe. I love the pieces but found myself doing a lot of transferring coffee into measuring cups for the fifth heat-up. I thought about the ideal mug proportions and cozy handle and an appealing and complimentary color palette. It was exciting and so rewarding to be able to create that! It’s especially wonderful that other people love it too. It is funny and ironic though, because now I love the idea of experimenting with gold luster (not microwave safe) if we can make the time!
Matt has a science degree and is a bit of a science buff. He’s also super into computers and does some design work. He’s also a woodworker. It seems like a crazy assortment of skills but it’s fun to see all the skill sets come together for pottery through glaze making, tool creating and even making and printing designs like hearts.
Words to live by: “Jesus take the wheel” & “Live in the moment”
How did My business begin? I left my second job and needed to help subsidize my income. I was working in a little store in Agassi and it was chilly. I love big blanket shawls so went looking for fabric to make myself some. I had a few ladies come in and ask if we sold what I was wearing I said no I made them and they asked me to make them some so I did. Then my little sister said Laken we should go take some photos so you can sell them online. And that’s how West Coast Alchemist started!
We are husband and wife team, Matt and Bethany! We’ve been married for 12 years, are still in love and have 3 great kids. I used to teach grade one and now stay home with the kids (and do pottery) and Matt works for the government doing education stuff (and does pottery). 
