Make it stand out.
Wonder is my medium, but it is not frivolous.
It is radical.
I create work rooted in wonder, nature, and care — through food, ceramic vessels, story, and shared experiences. My practice is about disrupting the transactional nature of modern life and offering moments of connection, beauty, and belonging in their place.
Sometimes, this work takes the form of free, invitation-only gatherings that begin with a hidden clue — an invitation tucked into a library book, left on a supermarket shelf, or concealed along a mountain trail. I collaborate with fate, offering strangers a chance to stumble into wonder. When people connected only by the story of discovery come together, something rare and unrepeatable unfolds.
Through these ephemeral experiences, I craft worlds where people of all backgrounds can feel chosen. Guests have found themselves at mushroom-themed tea parties, underground feasts in lava tube caves, and quiet ceremonies in the foothills — each one a spell cast to remind us that magic does not need to be earned.
Delight, offered freely and with intention, becomes a direct challenge to capitalism, isolation, and inherited systems of exclusion. I see wonder as an ancient force — one that has always belonged to the people.
Each experience I create is guided by a specific emotional intention: the joy of childlike wonder, a sanctuary of safety and belonging, or a quiet space to honor grief. That intention shapes everything — how I invite people in, the food I serve, the colors I choose, and the vessels I make to hold the moment.
My functional ceramic work is inspired by the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and designed to deepen connection to place. These pieces are not just objects, but carriers of symbolism and meaning. I handbuild every piece from an adjustable hospital bed, using an over-bed table — an adaptation that allows me to continue creating despite physical limitations.
Some works are made to comfort, like goblets glazed with the ashes of burned forests and decorated with fireweed motifs, gifted to those who lost everything. Others are made to delight: life-sized ravens, snails, and pumpkin tea pots that turn a shared meal into a story. And some exist to echo the wildness of the sea — barnacle-encrusted tea sets that deepen the experience of foraged oceanic snacks.
I believe in kind mischief.
In reverence without hierarchy.
In magic as a tool of resistance.
My work lives on in stories passed from guest to guest, in secret recipes and letters tucked into unexpected places, and in the hearts of those who found something magical when they weren’t even looking.
This is art that can’t be bought — only discovered.
Artist Statement
Meet the Artist
I’m Betsy — the artist, writer, and experience designer behind Miss Wondersmith.
I grew up in remote Idaho, where summers were spent on mountaintop fire lookouts and days were filled with barefoot foraging, tree climbing, and learning from community elders. Those early experiences rooted me in reciprocity, nature, and the belief that creativity is sacred.
In my teens, a catastrophic neck injury triggered a rare genetic illness. As my health declined, so did my ability to follow a traditional path — but not my creative spirit. I adapted, working from a hospital bed and receiving nutrition through a central line, all while continuing to cook for others, sculpt dreamlike ceramics, and design transformative experiences.
After surviving multiple near-death experiences, I made a deeply personal decision to stop commodifying my art. Instead, I offer much of my work freely, supported by community, guided by gratitude, and shaped by care rather than productivity.
Today, my practice includes writing, seasonal cooking, foraging, ceramics, and cultivating community spaces that invite people back into wonder — both in the world and in themselves.
I live in the Pacific Northwest with my wife Cristin and our scruffy terrier Grimm, building a life shaped by creativity, care, and enchantment.
Curious where my work has appeared? Explore Press & Features →
Support the Magic
All of my gatherings and artwork are offered freely, as gifts. My creative practice is made possible through the generosity of patrons and sponsors who believe in a more magical, generous world. If you’d like to support the creation of future wonders or collaborate, click here to learn more.
Welcome to my Studio
Step inside the quiet corner where the magic begins. My studio may not look like most — it’s centered around a hospital-style bed, a small table of tools, and the companionship of my dog Grimm. But it’s here, in this deeply personal space, that wonder takes shape. From tiny porcelain spoons to entire dreamlike gatherings, this is where imagination meets resilience.
