NorthWindPottery

One of a kind functional art pottery

Chicago, Illinois 585 Sales On Etsy since 2013

5 out of 5 stars (181)

NorthWindPottery

One of a kind functional art pottery

Chicago, Illinois | 585 Sales

5 out of 5 stars (181)

Shop owner

Contact

Contact shop owner
585 Sales
705 Admirers
 

All Items

Pamela Johnson-Howe

Contact shop owner

Pamela Johnson-Howe

Announcement    ***I will not participate in the new “free shipping” Etsy model. It is my opinion that shoppers are smart enough to understand that “free shipping” isn’t free. Most shops participating are rolling the cost into the price. That’s not free. In order to participate, I would have to charge people in neighboring states the same as someone on either coast, and I’m not willing to do that. You will pay actual calculated shipping costs when purchasing from my shop and, as always, with multiple pieces shipped in the same box, you will be refunded any overages. Thanks for your understanding.***

My interest in clay began with a desire for a very particular kind of tile for our bathroom. I was encouraged to make it myself, and was hooked. After several years learning the properties of clay, glaze, and design making custom tile, I moved on to three-dimensional forms. I only make things I could love, and hope you love them too.
All designs on my pieces are carved by hand. No stamps are used.
If you would like to know more about my process, take a look at my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/northwindpottery.
I can combine shipping costs on multiple items, and I refund any shipping and handling overages to your payment method. I am happy to ship Internationally. Please message me for shipping costs if your country isn't listed in the shipping info.

Announcement

Last updated on Aug 6, 2019

***I will not participate in the new “free shipping” Etsy model. It is my opinion that shoppers are smart enough to understand that “free shipping” isn’t free. Most shops participating are rolling the cost into the price. That’s not free. In order to participate, I would have to charge people in neighboring states the same as someone on either coast, and I’m not willing to do that. You will pay actual calculated shipping costs when purchasing from my shop and, as always, with multiple pieces shipped in the same box, you will be refunded any overages. Thanks for your understanding.***

My interest in clay began with a desire for a very particular kind of tile for our bathroom. I was encouraged to make it myself, and was hooked. After several years learning the properties of clay, glaze, and design making custom tile, I moved on to three-dimensional forms. I only make things I could love, and hope you love them too.
All designs on my pieces are carved by hand. No stamps are used.
If you would like to know more about my process, take a look at my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/northwindpottery.
I can combine shipping costs on multiple items, and I refund any shipping and handling overages to your payment method. I am happy to ship Internationally. Please message me for shipping costs if your country isn't listed in the shipping info.

Reviews

Average item review
5 out of 5 stars
(181)
See reviews that mention:
quality 24 shipping 28 customer service 11

About NorthWindPottery

Sales 585
On Etsy since 2013
  • The opening of a glaze kiln is always a bit stressful, but also exciting.
  • Carving patterns into pieces is my favorite part of the pottery process.
  • Carving patterns into leather hard clay
  • Each piece begins on the pottery wheel. It is then carved, fired, glazed and fired again
  • The evolution of an incised and carved bowl from carving to finished product.

Feeling my way through the maze...

I started my clay career making custom tile, and took a wheel throwing class on a dare by, you guessed it, a wheel thrower! I fell in love. I have always been creative, but never found anything as soul-satisfying as pottery. I considered it a hobby until one day a fellow potter asked to buy a casserole I had made. Honestly, it took me weeks to be able to part with that casserole, in spite of several similar ones on my dining room table. Then another request came and I realized that unless I could send my "babies" out into the world, there would be no room in my house for new creations.
I have a very supportive husband, Patrick, who hauls boxes to the post office, packs the car when necessary, cleans up after me (not my best attribute), listens to me when things haven't gone well at the studio, handles art shows when I have another commitment, and honestly critiques my work. There are many dark moments in an artist's life. Firings that don't go well, glazes that didn't work, pots that collapse, tools that break, creative dry spells, and periods of obsessed productivity. Without Pat, my family, the thrilled faces of our grandchildren the first time they "play with clay," our kids who shamelessly promote my pottery, and the wonderful art community and the friends I have made there, I would not be as happy as I am watching my wheel go 'round and 'round.
The more I know, the more I know what I don't know. Pottery is a never-ending learning experience.
If you would like to keep up with the happenings in the studio, "like" my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/northwindpottery

Around the web

Facebook
Website

Shop members

  • Pam

    Owner, Maker, Designer, Curator, Potter

    I raised 4 kids, always doing something creative at 2 a.m. when they were asleep, the only time I had to myself. I am in love with clay, and started dreaming of wheel throwing after my very first class.

Shop policies

Last updated on December 1, 2017
I make handmade, one of a kind functional pottery for your home. Each piece has distinct characteristics that make it special, both to me as an artist and to you as the owner.

Accepted payment methods

Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits
Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept returns and exchanges
Contact me within: 7 days of delivery
Ship items back within: 14 days of delivery
I don't accept cancellations
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
  • Custom or personalized orders
  • Perishable products (like food or flowers)
  • Digital downloads
  • Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Returns and exchange details
Please respect the handmade nature of these pieces. I provide photos and dimensions of each piece, as no two pieces are alike. Please make your choices after carefully reading the description. In case of a damaged or broken piece, I will do everything possible to make it right. Returns are at the purchasers expense, shipping costs are not refundable, and returns are subject to a 10% restocking fee.
Custom orders are non-refundable and require full payment before work will commence. I will do my best to comply with the customer's requests about approximate, size, color, and/or design and to produce a product that is esthetically pleasing and functional, but as with all handmade products, there are numerous variables that are beyond my control. I appreciate your understanding.
Payment
Payment should be made immediately after your purchase.
Cancelled orders will only result in a shop credit.
Shipping
I ship USPS Priority Mail and Standard shipping with tracking and insurance. Please provide a phone number when you place an order. International shipping is always available. Please send a message with the country you want me to ship to, and I will get an estimate of the costs.
Items will ship within the specified time period, and sooner whenever possible. I also refund overages on shipping and handling to the original payment method.

In an effort to be as "green" as possible, I re-use boxes and packing materials whenever I can. The shipping safety of your purchase is never compromised, but this small effort on my part can make a difference. I thank you for understanding.
Additional policies and FAQs
If properly cared for stoneware can be enjoyed for a long time. These precautions are applicable to any handmade pottery or ceramics:

Cooking vessels should be filled so food contacts all interior surfaces.

Never place a dish directly on top of a burner or in a preheated oven. Stoneware cannot withstand the thermal shock of such treatment.

Do not take a stoneware piece from the refrigerator or freezer directly to a hot oven. Instead, place room temperature dishes in a cold oven and gradually bring the heat up to the desired temperature.

While stoneware can be used in a microwave oven, please keep in mind that it will get hot. Use an oven mitt to handle or otherwise take precautions before taking a piece out of a microwave oven.

Stoneware pieces are dishwasher safe. However, handle them with care when washing to avoid chipping.

As with other dishes, once a piece is chipped it is likely that a crack has developed as well. It is advisable to no longer use the piece to store food. Moreover, the piece will become weak at the crack and further heating and cooling may exacerbate the problem.

Never attempt to glue back a broken handle on a mug, pitcher or other stoneware piece because the glue is unlikely to hold once the mug is filled or heated. You may glue it back together to use as a decorative piece only.