We recently connected with Katherine Clanton and have shared our conversation below.

Katherine, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Back in 2016 my daughter was in her Senior year of HS. She signed up for a ceramics class and I remembered how much fun I had when I took ceramics at her age. I found a local studio and began utilizing their open studio. It became an obsession! I was there anytime I could get away from my responsibilities! I thought for sure my Christmas gift that year would be a wheel. Well it wasn’t. By February I was resolved to go onto craigslist and find a use wheel to throw at home. I found a pottery studio for sale. I had no experience running a business, didn’t know where we would get the money to purchase a business, was an average potter and knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my working years. I thought for sure my husband would have me committed. I looked at that craigslist add for 4 days before even mentioning it to him. I finally showed him the post, suggested that we go look at it and he said “Yeah, let’s check it out.” Roughly 5 months later I owned Fire and Mud Studios. Since owning the studio, we have expanded our space, moved our location and increased our classes and memberships. I love my “job”.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I graduated from Cal State Fullerton with my degree in Graphic Design. I had worked in that industry for 5 years prior to starting my family and traveling to different states while my husband was in the Marine Corps. I love the creative process and problem solving. I have learned how to rewire kilns, repair pottery wheels, and gained more electrical knowledge than I thought I ever would.
We provide classes, workshops, supplies, classes and memberships. We have various options for our members and clients that suite all budget sizes. I hope we provide a creative outlet and a space that feels more like a second home rather than a business. I love teaching and am over the moon when I can share my passion with students/clients.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think all businesses had to make changes during the pandemic. We couldn’t have clients in the studio during lockdown which made it so challenging to keep the doors open. We relied on selling materials/clay/firing services to our existing clients. We would have designated contactless drop off schedules. It was rough. Once we could open our doors again we found that we were busier than ever. We doubled our space and that allowed for more clients to take the long needed mental break. I truly believe having your hands in the mud is a meditative experience.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I love my job and I think it shows when I’m teaching or working a market. I love to watch our members grow and opening the kilns is like Christmas every single time. The creativity these people show is inspiring and I get as excited as they do when it all clicks into place.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fireandmudstuios.com
• Instagram: @fireandmudstuios
• Facebook: fireandmudstudios
• Youtube: @fireandmudstudios
• Yelp: Fire and Mud studios