Bursting at the Seams

Event highlights

• Studio story and conversation with Sean Vandervliet and Willy Duvall

• Live throwing demonstration with cross section reveal

• Hands-on glazing of individually shaped bud vases

• A return visit pickup moment that became its own shared experience

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Craft, conversation, and community at Adorn

The response was instant. Within hours of sending the invite, our event with Fenway Clayworks was fully booked. By the time it began, Adorn was happily bursting at the seams.

It was one of those moments that reinforces why Adorn exists as both a shop and a gathering place. Beyond interior styling services, the space is meant to bring people together around objects, process, and shared curiosity.

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From studio story to live art consultation

The afternoon opened with Fenway Clayworks founder Sean Vandervliet and mud slinger Willy Duvall sharing their journeys, the story of the studio, and their approach to craft. The conversation felt open and generous, with designers leaning in and asking thoughtful questions about process, materiality, and intention.

As the room buzzed, Sean stepped up to the wheel for a live throwing demonstration. With ease and humor, he shaped clay while chatting with the crowd, making years of skill look effortless.

Then came the moment no one expected. Willy sliced the freshly thrown piece in half, revealing its cross section. Equal parts heartbreaking and awe-inspiring, it offered a rare glimpse into Sean’s consistency and expertise, and a deeper appreciation for the hand behind the work.

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A closer look at the craft behind the objects

Then it was time to get hands-on. Designers glazed their own uniquely shaped bud vases, each one reflecting individual taste and instinct. The pieces returned to the Fenway Clayworks studio to be fired, and when they made their way back to Adorn, the energy picked right back up.

Designers stopped in to collect their work, compare finishes, and admire one another’s pieces. What began as a shared activity became something personal. A reminder that objects carry more meaning when you’ve had a hand in their making, and that art consultation services can deepen that connection in unexpected ways.

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Why community matters in interior design

These moments are why we open our doors this way. Not just to feature talented artists, but to create space for conversation, curiosity, and community within the design world.

When designers connect directly with makers and process, the work becomes more grounded. The spaces we create feel warmer and more intentional. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you, long after the room empties.

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Want to be part of what’s happening at Adorn?

Sign up for our Trade Troop here.

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