About the Artist

I grew up in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, where I still reside and have my studio. I first discovered an interest in clay with a pottery class I took in Jr. High School. It was just basic hand building techniques, like slab and coil work, but it was enough to plant a seed. The first time I had access to a pottery wheel, I was in High School. After the very first session on the potters’ wheel, I was hooked! I began going every day to throw, and spent as much time as I could in the ceramics room, sometimes taking up to 4 ceramics classes a day. Working in clay became my passion. Even then, I knew I wanted to be a potter. It was a difficult time in my life and I think that is why I focused most of my energy into pottery. My senior year, I was able to take a Raku workshop at Peters Valley Craft Center, which only helped fuel my desire to keep learning and grow as an artist. I entered and won several competitions with “First Prizes” and “Best in Show” awards. I earned an art scholarship and art sponsorship before leaving school.

After High School, I wasn’t really sure what one would do to become a professional potter. There was no set rule or recipe that I had ever heard of. It wasn’t like, go to college for four years, get a degree, voila you are a pro. I had ideas of going to some high priced art school at some point, but soon realized I would be in debt forever with that route. So, I called around every place in the phone book that mentioned the word “pottery”, looking for work. I was lucky enough to find a studio that could use my help, and I went straight to work in the field as an apprentice. At the same time, I started taking classes at the community college. After all my hard work in the class, I got a “B” in my only pottery class in college. I continued working for the studio, where I think I learned more simply watching, than any class could ever teach. I was able to attend shows and gained some exposure with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. I decided to try my hand at running my own pottery business.

I went off to work on my own, and quickly got swallowed up in the business end of things. I soon realized that running a pottery of my own was not the same as having a pottery hobby or being an apprentice potter. For me, making pottery was fun, but it wasn’t always necessarily what people would like to buy. I didn’t think I could make a real living out of making pots. I decided to give up the pipe dream, “grow up” and get a “real” job. Though I have seen success with other ventures, in my time away from the studio, at some point I realized there was something missing.

I don’t remember what the spark was that got me going again in pottery, but I am grateful for the second chance to restart the studio. I have grown so much since coming back into pottery, and I bring so much more to the table than I ever did or thought I could. Maybe it is because I am a mother of twin boys and I always try to encourage them to follow their dreams. Even in the early days after I returned to the craft, I saw my quality of work improve exponentially. I since have realized that I just may actually be able to make a living at this; I just won’t ever be rich doing it. The rewards I can take away from my path as a potter are greater than money (though I like that too). My work is now featured in several publications and marketing materials including Vogue Knitting Magazine and The Pocono Record. I have several first place ribbons to hang on my studio wall. Even better, I love going to work everyday! I hope to bring my customers works of art that are also functional and of a high quality. If I can do that, and still put some money in my pocket, I consider myself a success.

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