The business began 20 years ago in Rohnert Park, California. For relaxation and entertainment after teaching classes in Computer Science at Sonoma State University Don took lessons in throwing pottery at the local community center. After a few weeks he found that he had a knack for throwing pottery and was throwing larger shapes. Eventually Don and Cindy began selling pottery at craft fairs partnering with Irwin Joy, Don's father, who was selling his woodworking. Now we were hooked, Don loved throwing, found that it was very relaxing, and we had an outlet to sell the work made.

After leaving being a University Professor several years ago Don decided that it would be interesting to move away from Computers and Software Development and more fully into ceramics. As things were going He would work as a consultant for one company. Then take several months off to work on pottery and then find another consulting job. We went to the City of Oxford, CT where we live, and got permission to set up a home business that would include making ceramics and teaching ceramics and computers from our home.

Once we had started the pottery business we set up the Etsy Store to sell the ceramics we made. This Joy Ceramics store on Etsy sells the pieces that we make that are wheel thrown, slip cast, or hand built. The pieces are both stoneware, and earthenware. You can see a discussion of both as well as slip casting on our Joy Ceramics web site.