June 2025
From Small Hobby to Big Passion – DH Ceramics
Phoenix Sky Harbor is featuring local business owners in limited pop-up shops, and visitors to the airport can reap the rewards.
Meet the Local Artisans is a gathering of small business owners most recently held May 8. This event gives merchants a chance to connect their wares with the traveling public.
Danah Huval, owner of DH Ceramics, is a local artist who works in various ceramics and creates hand-built pottery.
“It started out as a hobby and I’ve been doing this since high school, really, as a hobby,” she said. “Then during COVID, I went out and bought a kiln and a potter’s wheel. I guess I was bored.”
The old hobby grew into something bigger, and she began making pottery again. Throwing on the wheel once more was like riding a bicycle.
The hobby started becoming a business after Danah got a request from a restauranteur friend to make all the plates for the business. Then another acquaintance who operates stores in Phoenix Sky Harbor started buying a lot of her work to sell in the shops, with proceeds going to Arizona Humane Society.
“Now, my first day doing this is my first pop-up event – my first event ever. I can see myself doing this in retirement as a business that gives back to the community,” she said.
Pop-up shops have gained popularity with entrepreneurs like Danah who have a unique or specialty product to offer. Pop-up shop participants sometimes use the events to gauge whether opening a business is feasible.
“That’s kind of what today’s about, finding out what people like and what sells,” she said, adding she would like to explore opening a permanent spot in the airport. “I have enough to sell in shops but I’m trying to figure out what actually sells.”