Why the ugly little red bowl you may ask? It was the first bowl I had ever thrown on the potter's wheel, and that was June/2011. When I was younger, we used to swim in a nearby clay pit (as we called it) and it was on my dads property. I knew there was soft sand on the bottom and red clay around us, but that water would be very clear once settled. We used to hunt for arrowheads, flint and pottery back then as well, so one day after swimming, I dug down with a shovel into the red colored clay/dirt to find some thick grey looking clay. This was not in the water but nearby in the pit. I figured then that this was how the Indians had made the pottery pieces/shards we were finding around the property. I was probably only 10 or so years old then. I never did have the opportunity to do anything with the clay.

I suppose in the fall around 2010 while in Gatlinburg, TN I watched the visitors channel. I kept watching the ad for Allewine Pottery. Later my husband wanted us to go check it out. So when we got there, he said, "Come on, lets go in". I told him no... I really didn't have the money to buy anything and I just didn't think I'd go in. Deep down then, I knew it was because I had always wanted to make some pottery and had no way of doing so. When he came back to the vehicle, he began to tell me all about it. I really wanted to go in, but decided... well... next trip I'd go in.

In May 2011, at a quilt retreat, the lady who hosted the retreat just happened to invite a potter frome Seagrove. He did some throwing on the wheel and I was so amazed at how he did that with such ease. I wanted to so badly. He brought some pieces with him to sell and I tell ya... he even sold a 350.00 vase right there! I was so shocked! I started seeing dollar signs... but.. I seen more than that! I seen a love for something I just couldn't get my hands on :( I must have asked that man everything in the book, lol. I know he had to have gotten tired of hearing me. I hogged up all his time, and asked every question I could. And now I can't even remember what all I asked him. He was so nice and polite though and didn't seem to mind talking to me about the pottery and the making of it.

I came home all excited about the retreat and watching this man throw... I found out there was a local pottery supply about 45 miles away. So I set out to go looking, but when I got there, oh my... they had kilns... and they had potter's wheels. Not knowing much about them, I seen one on sale for just over 800.00 and they let me put it on layaway for 3 mos. I began counting the days! In the meantime, I made a few pinch pots, for Empty Bowls and got used to the feel of clay in my hands. I can't say that prepared me for the endeavor I was about to take on, but... at least I knew what it felt like.

I finally got my wheel... but it took me over a week to get the nerve to throw on it. And when I did... my husband thought I should be able to make a bowl already. I could not center the clay, the bowl .. or what I was trying to make look like a bowl was all wonky looking... I tried to use my pin tool and I couldn't trim the rim... what a mess, lol. So finally I just told him, "If you can do better, come get on the wheel and lets just see ya". It was a funny moment.... he soon found out, it was not as easy as it looks. And that's how I got started!

Found a kiln on Craigslist, nothing wrong with it except the relays. Replaced them and it was fine. From then on, I watched every YouTube video I could. I got my education from there watching many of those awesome potters. Shortly after, I started making videos of each kiln opening. I started to share my glaze results with everyone else. You can find me there at
www.youtube.com/muditispottery
I hope you will stop by my channel and let me know you found me through my Etsy Store. I've come a long way in a year... it's been FUN, FUN, FUN... and I'm looking forward to sharing more with you :)