My pottery story started in the early 90’s when a sign on a converted church in Virginia, Minnesota caught my eye: “Clay Creations – if unique is what you seek – take a peek?” I called the phone number and asked if I could get some lessons and that is how it began.

I showed up, dressed in a jean-overall, and learned to throw. My first bowl warped its way to a flat, heavy doorstop… well, we all must start somewhere! The husband-and-wife team behind Clay Creations were Milo Von Strom and Laura Thelen. Both excellent at throwing, Laura excels at hand building animal sculptures. They took me under their wing, and soon I bought my own used pottery wheel, clay and glazes. For years I would make pieces at home, drive the fragile greenware to Milo and Laura’s and they would bisque fire my pieces alongside their pottery. I then would pick up my pieces, glaze them at home and bring them to be fired again – all the while hoping one of my pieces would not blow up and destroy one of their works or the glaze on my pieces would run and ruin the kiln shelf. They even dared to fire some of my kids’ work!

While I was busy raising my family, the pottery started to take a back seat. When the nest started to empty, and the job became less demanding, I bought my own kiln. I continued my practice of throwing, and additionally started to sculpt. Since my animals always turned out more goofy than realistic, I rolled with that and now they are goofy on purpose! They do make me smile when I make them!

After making a dish set for ourselves, my son and his wife, and giving away many pottery pieces for Christmas and birthdays, I decided to take the plunge and attended a small craft show and opened an Etsy shop. My basement studio produces just enough work to attend a few craft shows per year and sell a few pieces on Etsy during the Christmas rush. I experiment with shapes, textures and color, learning something new every time I work a lump of clay to a bowl or critter. Working on the wheel and producing tableware that matches is just as much fun for me as sitting down to make a unique sculpture come to life. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they walk into my booth is the cherry on top!

See you at the next craft fair! Yours truly, Anja