Carolyn Pearce / Mudworks
2113 Wimbleton Drive

Ceramics and Pottery

In the spring of 1997, I went to Santa Fe, NM, and stayed at the home of a potter. When I asked her how she got started making pottery, she said she just started taking classes and suggested I take some classes. When I returned home, I contacted a place in Fort Collins and started taking classes. By Christmas, my husband made a kick wheel for me and I bought a used kiln.

Then something wonderful happened. People started buying my little pots. I was thrilled that someone would spend their hard-earned money on my pottery. Then these people started coming back and buying more, actually collecting my pottery. In 2001, I retired from my real job as a school secretary and since then have been able to make more and more pottery. I still take classes and go to workshops because there is always more to learn and study. This year, I went to NCECA, a national conference on education in the ceramic arts, in Tampa, FL, with another potter friend.

Now I have an electronic kiln, a great studio in my house, do a few art and craft shows every year, belong to the Thompson Valley Art League and have lots of fun. I have done workshops and taught classes with many young people, helped 4-H students with ceramic projects that they entered in the fair and also helped disabled people make hand-built projects. Most importantly, I love it!