Last Year I Came to Look. This Year I Came to Show.

I had heard for a long time that Potters Market at the Mint was an event I had to see, so last year I went with my mom and wandered through the museum, oohing and ahhing over all the pottery. There were so many incredible artists and pieces under one roof, and I couldn't stop thinking about it after we left. Somewhere in the middle of seeing all that amazing work, I remember thinking, I want to be part of this someday.

At that point, it was just a goal. I went back to my studio and kept working, experimenting with different forms and glazes and looking for new ways to push my handbuilt pottery. When January came around, I decided to apply. I honestly had no idea if I would be selected, so when I found out I was, I was thrilled. And then, almost immediately, another thought hit me: Now I need to make some fantastic pieces!

Making something worthy of the event

Being selected gave me a reason to really challenge myself. I wanted to bring pieces that felt like me, but I also wanted to push beyond what I had been making and see what I could do. A lot of my inspiration throughout the year came from traveling with my family. I'd notice a color, a shape, a texture, or even just a feeling that stuck with me, and I'd tuck it away in the back of my mind. Later, I'd come home to the studio and try to figure out how to translate that idea into clay.

I wanted that sense of discovery to come through in the work I made for Potters at the Mint. I wanted people to be able to pick up a piece, feel the weight and texture, notice the way the glaze moved across the surface, and see all those little details up close. That became part of the challenge for me: making pieces that felt like my work, while giving myself permission to try something a little different.

A Few Pieces I Was Excited to Bring

I made a lot of work for the weekend, but a handful of pieces felt like they captured what I was going for. Here are a few of them.

My Large Wavy Sea spray Ceramic Bowl

This was one of the pieces I was most curious to see in person. The rim ripples and folds like fabric, and the glaze pools and streaks in blues, creams and soft browns as it moves toward the center.

From My Driftwood Series

This piece is part of my driftwood series, and it's built entirely from coils of clay. I left the coil lines visible on purpose, because they give the surface a grain that echoes weathered wood and moving water.

My Sculptural Calla Lily

The calla lily is a more delicate, organic piece. Its petals unfurl in soft, ruffled folds, and a small braided detail ties it together. It's meant to feel like a bloom that could sit on a table or a mantel and become a small focal point in a room.

Finally, Being There as an Artist

Friday night was such a great experience. The whole event felt incredibly well organized, from the staging and lighting to the way everything was laid out inside the tent on the lawn of the Mint Museum. Betsy, David and the team did a wonderful job, and I really appreciated how much thought went into every detail.

Before things got busy, I walked around and looked at everyone's work, talked with other potters, and got to meet artists I had admired for a while. I just wanted to take it all in. One of the things I love most about the pottery community is how supportive everyone is. My neighbor even wished me luck and sent good vibes my way, and little moments like that meant a lot.

As the evening went on, everything really came alive. There was good food, wine and live music, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and intimate, with about 200 people wandering through with drinks and dessert while looking at the pottery. Because it was a smaller crowd, there was time for real conversations. I wasn't just handing someone a piece and sending them on their way. I could talk about how I make my work, what inspired a certain shape or glaze, and hear what people were looking for in their own homes. That part was really special to me.

Saturday Was a Little Different

By Saturday morning, I was still riding the excitement from the night before. One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing repeat customers who had bought my work before. It meant so much to see familiar faces come back and support me again.

I was also surprised by how many people told me they had seen my work in the Charlotte Ledger or had come because of the Mint Museum's posts about the event. I honestly didn't expect that. Between my family, friends, fellow potters and people who understood what it means to be selected for a juried show, I felt surrounded by people who really appreciated what the weekend meant to me. That made the whole experience even more special.

Looking back, that is probably what I'll remember most. Last year, I was the one walking around with my mom, admiring the work and wondering what it would feel like to be one of the artists. This year, I was standing behind my own pottery.

If you'd like to see what I'm working on next, take a look at my current pottery collection. You never know which piece might become part of your own home and story.