My daughter Callee and I started working together with pottery clay in 2001. While taking the class together was mostly driven by the desire to spend time with my daughter, we enjoyed having more time to learn new techniques and be creative. Callee and I shared and learned together each Monday evening until she went off to college. She finished college, met the man of her dreams, is now happily married, and living too far away from me to share a pottery class. But by the time she moved on I was well involved with the YMCA, sculpting, throwing on the wheel, and eventually teaching a class.

I started Flower and Pearl Studio to share and market my work as I became more productive. It didn't take long for me to realize that Etsy is also a good way to connect with other artists as well as to make extra money. Inspiration for the name of my studio comes from the definition of my name and Callee's name put together--Callee means beautiful 'flower' and Peggy means 'pearl'--hence, FLOWER AND PEARL STUDIO.

My husband Phil and I live in and share our Victorian home with a playful but independent cat named Maybelline. I have turned Callee’s old room into a studio but I also enjoy going back to YMCA to create some of my work. Teaching a class at the YMCA allows me to share what I have learned, to give back, and to acknowledge the opportunities that the Y gave to me many years ago. I am also the person who loads and unloads the kiln with my own work and also the work of others. My dream is to someday own a house where I can have separate studio space and my own kiln.

I have been happy selling on Etsy. The extra income has allowed me to quit a desk job giving me more time to focus on my art. I love and appreciate my customers. Your interest and enthusiasm for my work challenges me to learn more and to become more creative. The encouragement that began with Callee continues with the feedback and correspondence that I get from all of you.

It has been good for my 2 kids to see me step out of my comfort zone to pursue my dreams. I feel so good when my daughter tells me that she is proud of me. I am proud of me too!