CCAD Alumni Art & Design Market profile: Courtney DeYoung

Columbus College of Art & Design grad Courtney DeYoung (Fine Arts, 1997) makes thoughtfully crafted, hand-painted porcelain jewelry that can add whimsy and natural elements to any wardrobe. Working in ceramic clay, paint, durable nylon, stainless steel, and titanium, DeYoung creates colorful florals, cute critters, simple shapes, and patterns—all out of materials that are completely hypoallergenic and won't cause irritation. Her items sell for $24 to $140, making them suitable for many budgets.

DeYoung, a frequent vendor at CCAD’s perennially popular Art Fairs, is one of more than 45 artists and designers who will be selling their work online at the first-ever CCAD Alumni Art & Design Market, which is open for business 5 p.m. (EDT) Friday, April 9, through 11:59 p.m. (EDT) Sunday, April 11, at ccad.edu/alumnimarket.

Below, DeYoung discusses her working process and what shoppers will find from her at the CCAD Alumni Art & Design Market.

What inspires your work?
I'm inspired by colorful florals, clean and simple Scandinavian designs, and cute animals. 

What is your process like for creating your items? 
My process is pretty involved and quite time-consuming. I begin by imprinting my designs into a thin layer of ceramic clay. Once imprinted perfectly, I cut the shape I want. After drying they are kiln fired. After firing, I clean each piece by sanding and making sure the edges are smooth and perfect. Now... I begin painting. This is by far where I spend the most time. I hand-paint each piece using a thin layering process to create fine detail and vivid color. Each piece is painted completely at least four times to achieve the right finish. After painting,  I apply each side with several layers of a protective topcoat. After that, I finish each pendant by stringing them with a durable nylon jewelry cord. I typically embellish each cord by incorporating fine hand beading.

Why did you want to participate in the CCAD Alumni Art & Design Market? 

I've participated in CCAD’s Art Fair for more than 10 years and always look forward to it. I was thrilled when I was asked to participate in the first-ever Alumni Art & Design Market this year. 

How has your CCAD education influenced the work you’ll be offering for sale?
My appreciation of fine detail and craftsmanship is a direct result of the education I received from CCAD. I can't ever say enough good things about my experience at CCAD. 

You can find DeYoung and her work on her website, cavaticadesigns.com, as well as on Etsy, Instagram, and Facebook.