Drum GAllery
Handcrafted at the intersection of rhythm and Form, my custom ceramic drums are individually sculpted and tuned to create
one-of-a-kind instruments that sound as beautiful as they look.
Looking to purchase drums? Visit the Drum Lounge
Looking for custom size or color? Contact me!
Journey of a custom drum
Using quality materials and methods passed down from master makers, every piece is raised on a potter’s wheel and finished with glaze. This forming process enhances the acoustics by compressing the clay, producing better resonance and durability. The natural rawhide drum heads are long-lasting and rich in sound, free of plastic and responsive to the touch.
Hand-drums like these are part of a living tradition of music-making known especially in Middle-Eastern, Turkish and Eastern European traditions. Worldwide, the family of “goblet drums” is common and includes the West African djembe. The form’s dynamic shape, going from wide to thin, creates a broad spectrum of tones on a single head, with bass projection provided by the cone-shaped tail.
Each “HeatherDrum” begins as a carefully thrown vessel, shaped by hand and refined with simple tools. Through carving, layering, and detailed surface work, the pottery is transformed into a functional instrument — tuned by its shape, weight, and wall thickness to bring both sound and sculpture into harmony.
Photo by Dan Merlo
As works of ceramic art, they embrace the layering potential of low-fire earthenware clay by utilizing underglazes, slips, stains, oxides, commercial and self-mixed glazes. Materials, elements and heat are at work as they endure the alchemy of change during at least two kiln firings.
While every one is unique, I strive for uniformity and balance in the design, with a catalog range of 5 sizes. The process takes 4 - 6 weeks to complete, and they are made in small batches throughout the year. Based in Chicago, USA.
(click below for free download)
Drum Care & Resource Guide
Thanks for visiting!
Sound samples can be found on my YouTube. Listen with good speakers or headphones to get a little taste of what these drums sound like.
Artists I work with
Raquy Danzinger, Artist, Composer and Musician
Heather collaborated with a renowned teaching drummer deeply connected to drumming communities around the world to design a custom ceramic drum. Guided by conversations about resonance, tone, and cultural presence, she experimented with clay bodies and firing techniques to craft an instrument that could support the drummer’s teaching across diverse settings. The final piece not only produced a rich, resonant sound but also stood as a sculptural symbol of the drummer’s global impact on music education and community building.
Shane Shanahan, Touring Percussionist & Educator
Shane was a case of a touring musician looking for a specific instrument for a local performance. Word-of-mouth among musicians brought him to my door and Heather was able to loan him something he ended up being very happy with. That led to the purchase of a drum and promotion of it while he was on tour the following season, with notable groups such as the Silk Road Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens + Yoyo Ma. Shane is an accomplished performer, recording artist and hand percussion teacher based in NYC.
Heather designed and crafted a one-of-a-kind ceramic drum, tailored to the musician’s unique sound and style. The process began with conversations about tone, resonance, and the physical presence the drummer wanted the instrument to have on stage.
Selected past work
My first drum was made in the Summer of 2000! I learned in Chicago, and then from other drummakers I’ve met over time. Check out these favorite color & shape variations from over the years. (I’ll be adding to this as I uncover more from the archive) Do you have a HeatherDrum? Would you like to share a photo in this gallery? Send it to me!
