In 2013, I returned to Cleveland with no job but a belief that I would find a way to create in my hometown. I had been making sculpture, applying for public art commissions, and seeking the kind of work that would give me the most studio time and flexibility. Upon returning, I found myself drawn back to pottery, a medium that had always held a special place in my heart. I decided to teach myself slip casting—something I hadn’t learned formally in school—and quickly began making a few cups and bowls. When I showcased that first set of work at my first Open Studio at The Screw Factory, the response was incredible. People were excited, they bought the work, and it felt deeply affirming.
These pics are all from my first year back in Cleveland! Hot studio, lots of pots, lots of sculptures.
From that moment, everything took off. I started learning about line sheets, trade shows, and the wholesale business. Soon, I was traveling to New York, meeting businesses of all sizes, and selling my pottery across the country. At first, it was a success. But when the pandemic hit, I saw a significant shift. My wholesale pottery business dropped off, but my online sales soared. 2020 turned out to be my best year, and for the next two years, things continued to flourish. Yet, as 2023 began, the pottery sales started to slow down again. And alongside that, something unexpected began to grow: my sculpture and commission work.
By the end of 2022, I was doing both—dividing my time between pottery production and sculpture commissions—but by 2024, the pottery side of things was slowing down. It became clear that something had to change.
An Internal Shift
Choosing to pivot a business is never an easy decision, but when the year began, I knew it was time for change. I could feel the imbalance in how money was flowing into the business, but I didn’t have all the data to back it up. It wasn’t until I separated out the profit and loss from my pottery sales and my sculpture sales that I saw the truth: the pottery business was operating at a loss, while the sculpture side of things was thriving, though it was held back by the financial burden of pottery production.
I couldn’t ignore the numbers, and once I saw the truth clearly, the decision became unavoidable. In May, I made the announcement to my staff that I would be winding down the pottery business in order to fully dedicate myself to sculpture and commissions. This wasn’t a decision made lightly, but it felt like the right step to take.
As I reflect on the changes and shifts in my business, I’m excited for what’s to come. But change takes time, and I’m not done sharing my journey with you yet. Next month, I’ll dive deeper into the forces outside my control that pushed me to make this shift—and the personal challenges of letting go of what was familiar. It’s not an easy process, but it’s one that feels necessary for my growth.
In the meantime, I'm parting ways with work that's leaving the collection. If you’ve had your eye on something, now’s your chance to grab it at 60% off with code GOODBYE60. This is your last opportunity to own one of these special pieces before they’re gone. Shop the goodbye sale here: [link]