Plays In Mud Pottery

Kelsey’s journey into the world of ceramics is rooted in a childhood surrounded by craftspeople—her father, a woodworker and blacksmith, encouraged her to “go play in the mud,” giving her the freedom to explore her creativity. From throwing pots at age 11 to earning a bachelor’s degree in ceramics from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Kelsey’s passion for functional art blossomed. Inspired by the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and the vibrant arts community of Asheville, Kelsey creates art that celebrates the interwoven patterns found in nature, especially the delicate beauty of flowers and leaves. Her signature two-color glaze technique—blue and green—produces simple yet opulent pieces, evoking the rhythmic, swirling designs found in Celtic knots and Persian Kalamkari prints.

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Her works, from vases to chargers, bring timeless beauty into any modern or rustic home, making them perfect for someone who appreciates the finer things in life. A thoughtful Mother’s Day gift, perhaps? Among her more whimsical creations are the Adventuring Owls—unique, hand-crafted pieces that her fans have embraced as part of their adventures, leaving them along paths or nestled in trees for others to discover.

Like any working artist, her days are not spent simply being wildly creative. Making ceramic pottery is as much science as it is inspiration, with chemical reactions needing to be managed — usually via a trial-and-error learning process — in order for pieces to come out of the kiln with functional glazes and without unwanted bubbles.

Then there are the more prosaic aspects of any business operation, including equipment breaking down (a kiln is after all just a specialized oven), variations in raw materials that lead to issues during the firing process, and the realities of packing things up and traveling to craft shows. It helps that she has a supportive husband who handles her web page (another required task for the modern artisan).

Please visit Kelsey’s webpage to see samples of her work and art shows where you might be able to see her work in person. Or order an Adventuring Owl for yourself! ;)

Have time for an interview? If you are a maker or creative entrepreneur I would love to learn about you, your passion, and what your day looks like. I love meeting new makers and learning about your story. After our interview, I will craft a well written post like this one and share it with my friends and yours too! Sign up for an interview here.

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