Artist

Just after I turned 50, I was working at a garden nursery with a group of women who were several years younger than I. We would carry on lengthy discussions while doing our task for the day.

On this particular day, the chatter did end up changing my life. I know that sounds melodramatic, but it is true. On this special day, the discussion was, "What do you want to be doing with your life when you turn fifty?" Well, my ears perked up, since I had just turned 50, I was eager to hear what these younger women thought one "should" be doing with themselves at this great milestone in their life.

To my surprise, several women said, "When I turn 50, I want to have my own pottery studio." I was stunned, because I wanted my own pottery studio and had wanted one for years and was already 50 years old.

I really had begun, several years earlier, learning to throw by taking pottery classes through the continuing education Department of Maryville University. I fell in love with throwing on the wheel and it became a passion.

I had always bought pots and mugs from the local potters when traveling on vacations, but now was the time to act on this passion of mine. I called the local colleges and universities to find out about ceramic classes.

I was past the point of just doing continuing education classes and wanted to receive college level instruction. I reduced my hours at my nursery job from full time to part time and devoted myself to really learn how to throw pottery and to start saving money for all the big ticket items: a wheel, kiln, and all that goes with it.

Along the way in this journey of mine, my husband's cars were kicked out of the garage and my studio began. Taking an ordinary 2-car garage and making it into a functional studio was a lot more involved than I had planned.

Days were spent in winterizing the garage/studio. The attic and walls were insulated, new walls were built and painted as well as shelves built to hold the ware. This my husband and I did, but then electricians had to be hired to put more power in the previously one outlet garage. It turned out that a whole new electric panel was need in order to supply enough electric for the kiln-a major cost not planned for.

The day finally came-the studio is finished and I have opened up shop. I am now a full time potter and loving it. So, if you live in the St. Louis area or will be visiting our fair city soon, come by to experience my passion come true. I would love to show you my studio and pottery, until then enjoy my website and please call if you have any questions or to order a piece of my passion.