How long have you been working with clay? How did you get involved?
I came to it later than most people. I threw my first pot when I was 26 (which was
26 years ago). I was just looking for a hobby, and never dreamed it would lead to
becoming a professional potter. I took my first class at the Ann Arbor Art
Association while studying other things at the University of Michigan. Then I started selling pots about 5 years later, and by 1995 was making a living as a potter. I was the very worst one in my beginning wheel-throwing class, but I didn’t care because it was great fun and I loved it. I moved to Minneapolis in 1993 to begin a graduate program in another field, but took classes at the Northern Clay Center to continue on with my hobby. It was there, for an intermediate wheel-throwing class, that I made a few tabletop fountains. They were a big hit with the other students in the class and the classes around us. So I decided I’d make a few and take them to an art fair to see how they did. I took 25 fountains and sold them all. That’s when I knew I was onto something. I started making water fountains as fast as I could and they sold well for several years. By 2000, the fountain craze had died down, so I had to shrink my business too. Luckily, by that time, I’d made thousands of fountains so I’d become a much better potter. I set out to grow my business back up, and have been expanding steadily ever since.
I came to it later than most people. I threw my first pot when I was 26 (which was
26 years ago). I was just looking for a hobby, and never dreamed it would lead to
becoming a professional potter. I took my first class at the Ann Arbor Art
Association while studying other things at the University of Michigan. Then I started selling pots about 5 years later, and by 1995 was making a living as a potter. I was the very worst one in my beginning wheel-throwing class, but I didn’t care because it was great fun and I loved it. I moved to Minneapolis in 1993 to begin a graduate program in another field, but took classes at the Northern Clay Center to continue on with my hobby. It was there, for an intermediate wheel-throwing class, that I made a few tabletop fountains. They were a big hit with the other students in the class and the classes around us. So I decided I’d make a few and take them to an art fair to see how they did. I took 25 fountains and sold them all. That’s when I knew I was onto something. I started making water fountains as fast as I could and they sold well for several years. By 2000, the fountain craze had died down, so I had to shrink my business too. Luckily, by that time, I’d made thousands of fountains so I’d become a much better potter. I set out to grow my business back up, and have been expanding steadily ever since.
What is your favorite piece to make? Mugs, bowls, vases?
I love making bowls the most. There’s just something about getting the form just right that’s very satisfying. Along those lines, I also enjoy making sinks. I do a fair number of those and I like the idea that it’s something people will see and enjoy every day. The item I sell the most of, however, is coasters. I currently sell 20,000 – 30,000 a month to various shops nation-wide, so that’s the current bread-and-butter item. |
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What’s your favorite Continental Clay body to work with?
I throw my pots with a special mix that starts with Continental’s Fireclay Stoneware w/Iron. They take away some of the iron and add back in some Kyanite for me to help give the clay a good resistance to thermal shock, even after being fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. I make the coasters with their Buff Stoneware. It’s a good all purpose clay body that looks good at cone 6 in oxidation.
What’s your favorite part about working with Continental Clay?
Definitely the people! They’ve been incredibly generous with me in both good times and bad. I will always be loyal to them. They’re a great family.
I throw my pots with a special mix that starts with Continental’s Fireclay Stoneware w/Iron. They take away some of the iron and add back in some Kyanite for me to help give the clay a good resistance to thermal shock, even after being fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. I make the coasters with their Buff Stoneware. It’s a good all purpose clay body that looks good at cone 6 in oxidation.
What’s your favorite part about working with Continental Clay?
Definitely the people! They’ve been incredibly generous with me in both good times and bad. I will always be loyal to them. They’re a great family.