Member Stories
SW x SW
What happens when a theater kid falls in love with clay? For Susannah Wilson (she/they), it meant embracing the studio alongside the stage and finding unexpected joy in the permanence of ceramics. A multi-disciplinary artist raised by a costume designer, Susannah launched SW x SW during the pandemic—an intuitive leap that turned a creative outlet into a thriving small business.
Susannah comes from a long line of women guided by aesthetics. “I began throwing during the pandemic,” she shares. “It became a way to escape the circumstances of the world and to focus instead on the tactile.” What started as a creative outlet soon grew into SW x SW, a Brooklyn-based ceramics studio crafting thoughtfully designed objects that balance form and function.
From wheel-thrown mugs and bowls to light fixtures and wall hangings, Susannah’s work is expressive, grounded, and made to be lived with. “Our colors are subtle but vibrant, allowing for a range of statement or everyday objects.” The tactile permanence of clay offered a stark contrast to her background in ephemeral performance—and it stuck.
For Susannah, being a queer business owner means showing up as her full self. “It means being me! It means having the freedom to express myself to the fullest, and to have my community welcome that.” She’s grateful to be part of a city and creative community that celebrates, rather than questions, her identity. “What can I say—the gays love pottery!”
As her practice evolves, she’s embracing new techniques: “To date, most of my work has been wheel-thrown. But as I continue to explore my ceramic practice, I imagine my pieces will begin to vary more, including in the ways they are constructed.” And yes, her favorite piece right now is the Yoni Bowl—hand-carved and, in her words, “pretty gay.”
Susannah’s advice? “Go for it. You will need help—partners, friends, people you’ve never met. Ask for help, follow your passion, hold yourself to a high standard, keep learning, and give yourself grace. Also, surrounding yourself with other LGBTQ+ folks always makes me feel grounded. Try that.”