During a family trip to St. George, Utah, I went to a local Art Festival. At these events, I always search out the pottery booths first, and this time was no different. I found one and spent time looking at the beautiful pieces there. I started talking to the Potter and his wife about my desire to learn the art of pottery making. That conversation was truly a pivotal moment for me. It turns out that this man lived 10 minutes away from me and taught pottery classes out of his studio. I went home and got on his wait list and started my journey of learning the art form a few months later. I absolutely LOVED going to my classes each week. I loved it so much that during that first year, I purchased a wheel for my home. Pretty soon I had a wheel, wedging table and 2 kilns in my home. I turned my craft room into a studio and began selling my pieces on Instagram. The Clay Maven was officially open for business! After a couple years, my friend and amazing designer, Jessica Bennett started selling my pieces out of her Salt Lake City show room, Alice Lane. That really boosted my visibility to so many.
Pottery has been such a gift and blessing to me. I have struggled with crippling anxiety and depression for most of my life. Of all the different things I have done to help my struggles with mental health, creating pottery has been the most therapeutic. It is such a great creative outlet for me, and I love sharing my creations with all of you. A little piece of me goes into each one, and they are much more than just a piece of pottery to me. I hope they bring the same happiness and love to you as they do to me.