Given the opportunity to make something, you should take it. Jacob Preston gave me that opportunity so I took it. 

I was fortunate to grow up in a household where art was a way of life and creating beautiful things was held in high esteem. I have also been fortunate enough in my life to know people who are by nature very generous. They have been generous with their time, knowledge and friendship.

In 2003, an unimaginable thing happened. Joseph, my oldest son died. He was just 16.

I would not have been able to move through the world after that if it had not been for Coby, my youngest son and the gift of becoming a maker. Being alone in the studio with what is basically earth is a healing thing. 

I am a hand-builder, using slabs of clay to shape into bowls, platters, mugs, vases or whatever comes to mind or someone asks for. Commission work is a way to stretch. Never round, never symmetrical and always with texture. There are textures everywhere and when I see something that looks like it may turn into an interesting texture, I try it.

During the day, I can be found at Jacob Preston's Pottery, 10 Church Street in Bluffton, South Carolina. We work mostly red stoneware clay that is fired in an electric kiln to cone 4, 5 and 6. We make functional everyday kind of pots. Most of the glazes are made at the shop and all the pots are food, drink, oven and dishwasher safe.

In the evenings I work on jewelry at home. Truly one of my favorite things in the world. I had a spectacular teacher, Jean Stark and if you are one who admires jewelry, take a few moments one day and do a google search for images of Jean's work. Her pieces are truly amazing.