For a decade, pottery artist Carolyn Sleeper has fashioned whimsical Christmas tree ornaments from clay. Those items have become a favorite of area shoppers who are looking for a perfect gift.

“People pick them up every year for their kids and grand kids,” said Sleeper, who owns Slatestone Studio in Washington. “And I have sold a load of dog bones because people want them in memory of their pets.”

The ornament-making process is much like baking a batch of cookies. The clay is rolled flat and then cookie cutters are actually used to shape each piece. Once fired, the ornaments are painted with a white glaze “that I make myself,” Sleeper said. Each ornament is then tied with a bit of gold ribbon or cord, which serves as a hanger.

The result is an ornament with the delicate look of fine porcelain and the durability of stoneware.

Along with the dog bones, Sleeper said her most popular ornament is a snowflake design. Sleeper’s selection also includes a dove, heart, gingerbread boy and girl, teddy bear, train, Christmas stocking, mouse, butterfly, snowman, dog, turtle, fish and even a chili pepper.

Sleeper sells the ornaments at several holiday craft shows throughout eastern North Carolina each year. She has developed a loyal following among those who purchase the ornaments year after year.

“It’s really fun when people expect me to be somewhere and they come with a list,” she said.

And the going price for such collectible pieces of art is quite reasonable, too. Each ornament sells for $3.50, and customers purchasing three or more get an even better deal at $3 a piece. She estimates that she sells in the neighborhood of 1,000 ornaments, which she hand-personalizes, each year.

Sleeper begins the process of creating the ornaments in September. She works diligently but often finds that as the height of the Christmas season draws near, there just aren’t enough ornaments to go around. That’s when her sister and an aunt drive up from Florida to pitch in and act as elves to make sure the demand is met. Husband Danny pitches in, too.

“We have our own little sweatshop going,” Sleeper said with a laugh.

A member of Riverwalk Gallery in downtown Washington, Sleeper plans to be on hand to sell and personalize the ornaments Nov. 29 when the gallery celebrates “buy local” day. With paint pen in hand, she’ll be customizing the pieces from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sleeper will also be at Riverwalk on Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 for anyone looking for last minute ornaments for their own tree or to give as gifts.

In addition, Sleeper will have a booth at The Blind Center’s Kris Kringle holiday show, scheduled for the weekend of Dec. 5-6 at First United Methodist Church in Washington. That event runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, according to Sleeper.

The craft show is part of a Washington celebration welcoming the Christmas season. Also planned are a parade and holiday activities at the TurnageTheater.

“It’s really admirable that The Blind Center stepped up to make their show even bigger,” said Sleeper, who noted that the Kris Kringle event fills a void left when the Beaufort County Arts Council opted not to host its traditional arts and crafts show this year.