Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Clanton.
Hi Katherine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2016, my life changed in the most magical way! My daughter was in her last year of high school and she signed up for ceramics. I had taken ceramics when I was in high school and thought it was fun. I had no idea what I had missed over the years. I was an art major in college and thought that Graphic Design was my path after years of working in a corporate setting and freelancing. I realized I no longer had the passion for it. I signed up for a pottery class at a studio near my home, I was hooked. It became my obsession! I had very little skills but some basics came back. As time went on, I would find time throughout my week to sneak over to the studio and just practice. The holidays came around and I was certain my husband was going to get me a pottery wheel for Christmas! Alas, I was wrong! ACK! Sadness!!!
I continued going to the pottery studio and one day I said, “I’m just going to go on Craigs List and find a used wheel for the backyard”. However, the universe had bigger plans for me: I found a studio for sale! I had never in my wildest dreams thought I could ever do anything like owning a business! I only had basic skills in ceramics and absolutely no business background. All I knew was that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I looked at that ad for over a week before I mentioned it to my husband. I knew it was crazy and he would probably think I was out of my mind too, but being the amazing, supportive man he is, we went for it!
I have been the owner of Fire and Mud Studios since 2017. and in that time, we have doubled our studio space, added more classes to our schedule, hired the most incredible staff, and I am beyond blessed! I feel that we are not only a studio where you can learn and create art, but a pottery family.
We offer classes in wheel throwing, as well as hand building and sculpture. We love what we do and would be over the moon if you would join us!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest challenge for any small business is paying the bills. Running a pottery studio has a very high overhead and I’ve had to learn to do a lot of the repairs in-house on a very tight budget. You need to wear many hats when you run a business. Panic attacks and working 24/7 have become part of my persona. You make sure everyone gets paid and hope that there’s enough left to pay yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in functional ceramics. Custom plates, bowls, and mugs are some of my favorite things to create. The pieces I create are one of a kind and small batch ceramics.
You can find us at the Leucadia Farmers Market on Sundays with lots of amazing ceramic pieces created by our instructors and some of our artist members!
How do you think about luck?
Dream big and the universe will deliver! I have been so very lucky to have the support of my family and all of the staff/instructors/members each and everyday. I couldn’t do any of this without them!
Pricing:
- Introductory package $120
- Single class $90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fireandmudstudios.com
- Instagram: @fireandmudstudios
- Facebook: Fire and Mud Studios
