Daniel Vito
Exclusively at Fireborn
Fireborn Studios and Gallery is owned by artists Daniel Vito and Donna Hetrick. They have been making and selling pottery for over 30 years. Their work was sold in galleries across the USA. Now it is found exclusively at Fireborn's own gallery in Pittsburgh, PA.
Donna Hetrick
Real Studio Setting
We offer pottery classes in the unique environment of an artist studio, not a school or institution. Share the glazes and firing skills of a professional. Learn from a master potter.
No More Art Festivals
Gone are the days when we did art festivals. Sorry to say, we have given that up. So please come to our studio where we have FAR MORE SELECTION and can serve you better than ever.
About Fireborn Studios
At Fireborn Gallery you will find a mix of functional and one of a kind pottery, hand blown glass, American made crafts, artwork and more. In addition you can take pottery classes in the unique environment of an artist studio.
We are located on Pittsburgh's South Side near the Birmingham and Hot Metal Bridges, on the corner of 24th and Sarah St. From East Carson Street, turn onto 24th Street heading away from the river. We are one block down 24th Street at the corner of 24th and Sarah.
We guarantee all our products. All items are lead-free and cadmium-free. Our functional pottery may be used in a dishwasher, microwave or oven.
At Fireborn, we feel a deep spiritual connection to the Arts and Crafts Movement that began in the late 19th century. The movement was defined by the emphasis placed on functionality and simplicity. It spanned many disciplines such as furniture design, glasswork, pottery and architecture. The roots of this design philosophy as applied to pottery can be traced to classic oriental designs. Today, Arts and Crafts Movement pieces are considered to be highly collectible.
Like the Arts and Crafts Movement, the understated elegance and timelessness of oriental pottery designs inspire us at Fireborn. In addition, we share the belief that there is no better way to further the art of creating handmade pottery than to perfect a design and glaze and then to refine it even further through repetition. In the words of the potter Artus Van Briggle, "...it is far more satisfactory to spend unlimited time and thought in carrying out an idea which may be worthy of repetition, each reproduction being different in color and glaze effect, than to attempt for every vase a new design which must of necessity often be careless and hasty in thought and execution."
After 30 years of honing his skills, Dan Vito has developed a style that is unequalled in functional value and elegance with its clean and simplistic designs and is harmonious with the aesthetics and philosophy of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Repetition allows Dan to develop an intimate relationship with each design so that, over time, perfection of form and glaze are achieved.
Fireborn Studios pottery, like pieces from the arts and crafts movement, is viewed by collectors as finely crafted handmade artwork.
Porcelain Clay
There are many kinds of clay, like earthenware, terra cotta and stoneware, but we prefer to use porcelain clay because it is the strongest of all, and the most beautiful. Porcelain is glassy and non-absorbent when fired to maturity. We fire to cone 11, which is about 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. Our pottery is as durable as restaurant ware!
Porcelain is white in color. It is the most expensive clay. It is also the most difficult to work with. When glazed with a translucent or clear glaze, the whiteness of the clay makes the glaze appear brighter than it would on stoneware. Stoneware has iron in it that produces speckles and causes the glaze to darken. Porcelain gives glazes a smooth clean brilliant glaze surface.
Firing: We fire to cone 11 (2400 degrees F.) in a 100 cu. ft. gas kiln. The kiln is made of steel, and lined with firebrick and ceramic fiber. We fire in a reducing atmosphere. Peter Lane describes a reduction firing: "Reducing atmospheres are essential for the development of certain colors such as the Celadons and copper reds. When reduction is induced during the firing, carbon is deprived of oxygen, and combustion is incomplete. This releases free carbon (visible as smoke), hungry for the oxygen present in the glaze. These elements are thus reduced to their metallic state. The intensity of the colors produced vary according to the percentages of oxides present, the character of the base glaze and the amount of reduction obtained." (Lane, Peter, Studio Porcelain, Pitman House Limited, London, 1980)
Safety: Fireborn pottery may be used in a dishwasher, microwave and oven. Avoid sudden, extreme changes of temperature. You can place porcelain in a 325 degree oven and then increase the temperature. When you remove an item from the oven place it on a pad of wood, cloth or cork, not on a cold tile counter top. All our glazes and our clay are lead and cadmium free.
Glazes: At Fireborn Studios we formulate our own glazes. Usually we begin with with recipes from books of traditional glazes and then rework them to use contemporary materials. We fine tune them until we get the desired color and correct glaze fit. We do thousands of glaze tests and experiments.
People Said:
Dear Dan and Donna,
Just wanted you to know how much we are enjoying the Fireborn Jade dinner ware. Will have to add more to our set because we are having to wash dishes too often!! I love the subtle colors as we use them in our kitchen and dining room. Thanks to you and Karla for introducing me to Fireborn.
N. K.
Dear Donna –
Thanks for helping me send the perfect gift!, We use your Fireborn pottery bowl every day. Really! It has been great for fruit and salads – and quickly became part of our life. Thank you for such an attractive, durable and useful wedding gift.
Fondly,
D&K
Dan and Donna,
Thank you [for letting my class visit your studio]. It is hard to say what an excellent experience you have provided for my students and the appreciation I have for you both.
I hope I can continue to bring students to you in the future. I just can’t give my students what you can in the period of 2 1/2 hours.
Sincerely,
C.P. Bethel Park High School
P.S. Donna, I love the frog vase! Make more!
Dear Mr. Vito:
Enclosed please find a check for $10.00 to pay for a beautifully rich red cup that you let me have, in lieu of a credit card, on Christmas Eve. Your generosity and trust were the best Christmas present I received. My wife, to whom I traditionally give a cup at Christmas, loves the one of yours. Clearly, it has become her favorite; for she drinks out of it every day. Later this month, she has a birthday. I will be visiting your studio again for a present. My hope is that a vase that particularly caught my eye will still be available; if not, there’s surely no want of other fine examples of your work to substitute for it. Thanking you warmly and wishing you a rewarding New Year, I am
Yours sincerely, F.H.N.
Dear Donna –
Thank you for speeding this order along. My newly married customer and her husband are very pleased with the dinnerware. Have a great summer!
P.A. Duke Street Gallery
Thank you so much for the beautiful pitcher. I love it.
It sat by my reading lamp during Christmas filled with anemones – stunning.
Hope your holidays are joyous – with a great 1998 ahead.
Cheers!
Dear Dan and Donna,
I really enjoyed the workshop on Sunday. It was extremely gracious of you to make the time and show us how your business operates. You cannot imagine how impressed I was. My dad and granddad owned a small retail store, when I was growing up. I worked there frequently and know how much dedication and commitment it takes to be successful. You certainly have earned accolades. As an engineer, I appreciated your use of space and all the effort it took to create a manufacturing facility, the designs, the tooling and quality control/assurance techniques. The business is a true achievement, one I know will continue to thrive. Best wishes for a prosperous year.
Sincerely,
L.D.
7-22-96
Dear Dan and Donna,
"Discover Pittsburgh" camp was a huge success this summer, and much of that success is the result of the time and patience you two gave to the children when we visited. "Hands-on" is what Discover Pittsburgh is all about—and the visit to Fireborn was exactly what I hoped for (and got 100% more!) You are both patient, kind, and caring people. Thank you very much. We’re all patiently awaiting our finished products.
Sincerely,
R. F. Summer Programs Coordinator Brashear Association
Dear Donna –
We recently received, not only the lid replacement we’d requested, but a brand new soup tureen. We were shocked – and so grateful. The set we received was a treasure, something we hope lasts a lifetime. We appreciate so much that you helped us to keep it complete. We have many friends and family back in Pittsburgh. We intend to recommend you highly.
Thank you so much,
S. L. B. San Diego, CA