Janelle Urata

Janelle, a San Diego native, studied and worked in San Francisco, CA, as a researcher and dental hygienist. Her background in dental hygiene has sharpened the fine motor skills that now serve her well in both ceramics and braiding. Janelle first discovered ceramics in the Bay Area and continues to muddy her hands at Baca Street Pottery. A fourth-generation Japanese American, Janelle sees Kumihimo as a meaningful way to explore and connect with her cultural heritage.