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Michelle Sakai-Hart is an AAPI ceramicist located in Santa Barbara, CA where she lives with her husband (Andrew), son (Caleb), and golden retriever (Katsu).

Since Michelle started her business in 2019, she has been a ceramics instructor, studio manager, and pottery studio technician in the Bay Area and Los Angeles for a number of studios including Good Dirt LA and Community School of Music and Art. Her formal background is in science education, where she taught as a classroom science teacher, advisor, and outdoor educator. She received her Master of Arts in Education from Loyola Marymount University and her Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Biology from UC Santa Barbara.

Michelle is currently taking a creative break from her business as of July 2026 and soaking up the journey of being a mom.


You can currently shop Michelle’s ceramics, artwork, and products at Giant Robot Store in Los Angeles at Moment SJ Made Japantown in San Jose.

Michelle started her business in 2019, a little less than a year after taking her first pottery class. Her specialty is in creating functional wheel thrown ceramics that she hand paints and designs using a variety of colorful and bright underglazes and mid-fire glazes. She loves to create cute and happy designs and draws inspiration from her love of animation and by her memories of growing up by the beach. Although Michelle’s primary focus is pottery, she has also offered other products in line with her ceramics designs, such as apparel, stickers, and pins. Additionally, Michelle also creates paintings for various group shows for Giant Robot Store.

In 2024, Michelle’s ceramics were part of the Moment Marketplace Pop-Up at the Google Visitor Experience. She has participated in many markets, including the Kokoro Craft Show at the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles, Giant Robot Store Konbinis, and many SJ Made events.

Michelle has proudly partnered with other BIPOC, AAPI, or women owned businesses through wholesale, consignment, and special projects. You can currently find Michelle’s ceramics and goodies in San Jose at Moment by SJ Made and Giant Robot Store in Los Angeles, California


art shows

  • 2026: Muddy Madness Juried Exhibit at Maker House

  • 2024, 2026: Kiln: Earthenware and Beyond at GR2 Art Gallery

  • 2023-2026: Giant Robot Store Group Shows

  • 2021-2023: Small Wonders Art Show at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland

  • 2021-2023: Wonder Pets Art Show at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland

grants/scholarships awarded

  • May 2022 | Head West Marketplace: No Cost Community Booth Recipient

  • April 2020 | Mission Asset Fund: LA Creative Professionals Relief Fund Recipient

collaborations