About
Araucaria Ceramics is a one-person studio in county Wicklow, run by Daniel Woodsmith, a former professional chef who spent over a decade cooking in restaurant kitchens before picking up a lump of clay in 2017.
The shift from plating food to making the vessels that hold it was, in retrospect, a natural one. Dan brought with him an understanding of how the kitchen really works: the weight of a plate in a chef's hand, the way a bowl needs to feel on a table, the difference between something beautiful and something useful. At Araucaria, the aim is always both.
The Clay
Every piece is hand-thrown using either a blend of black stoneware clay or clay hand-dug from the Dublin and Wicklow mountains by Dan himself. This local clay is one of the most distinctive aspects of the work: it gives each piece a unique character rooted in a specific place.
Pieces are fired in an electric kiln or a raku kiln, depending on the form and the intended finish.
The Restaurant Scene
With his background in professional kitchens, Dan has worked with some of Ireland's most respected chefs to create bespoke tableware that complements their culinary vision.
Collaborations include Dede in Baltimore, KOL in London, Bastible, Glovers Alley, and many more.
Comissions & Corporate Gifting
We offer curated gift sets and bespoke commissions for corporate clients, weddings, and special occasions.
"A minimalist's dream"
— ALLTHEFOOD.ie
How the Shop Works
The shop opens three to four times a year with new seasonal collections. Many pieces are made in small batches or are entirely one-of-a-kind. When they're gone, they're gone.
Classic forms — like 'The Mug' in sandstone — do return. But a lot of what you see in each drop won't be repeated.