Clay Dog Pots

Our story…

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My journey with pottery:

  • Early Exposure: My introduction to clay began in school in Florida back in the 1970s, where we started with pinch pots and later had the chance to work on more pinch pots.

  • A Move and a Deep Dive: After high school, I moved to California. In 2003, he joined a community art center in Irvine, CA, where I "immersed" myself in ceramics full-time, finding the return to basics "challenging and invigorating."

  • First Public Steps: After a couple of years, I began showing and selling work at various county fairs and community craft sales in California.

  • Return to Florida and Setbacks: We returned to Florida in 2005, where I initially worked from a studio space at St. Pete Clay Co. I then relocated the studio to a property we owned in Lutz.

  • The Studio Fire: In 2013, the studio tragically burned down. This was a major setback, and for a period, I "just puttered around here and there."

  • The Rebuild: In 2017, we began the process of building a new studio, which was completed at the end of 2022.

  • A Fresh Start: Starting fresh in January 2023, I focused on developing and refining my glazes, building inventory, and launching the Clay Dog Pots website to share his creations with a wider audience.

The name "Clay Dog Pots" and its logo, which features a dog, are a nod to the fact that dogs are often a part of life and the studio. The story highlights a journey of rediscovering a passion, overcoming a significant loss, and rebuilding a business from the ground up, all driven by a deep love for the craft.

Jack Winters
claydogpots@gmail.com