2022 Show Schedule
Hello friends! It’s been an eventful start to the year as we’ve enjoyed the snow in northern Indiana and look forward to spring. Since I last wrote, I’ve been focusing on refining some goals in the studio and dialing in my firing processes.
I’ve also refreshed my online storefront with fresh works including some new forms out of the soda kiln.
As we wrap up the end of 2022’s first quarter, my show schedule for the year has come into focus. One date that I’d like to point out is Saturday, May 28th, when we’ll be hosting our first studio open house here in Goshen. It will be an opportunity to stop by and see the space first-hand, we’ll have coffee and doughnuts, and a soda kiln opening that day. More details to come!
Here’s the full look at my tentative schedule for 2022 so far:
May 27: Artisan Market - Goshen Farmer’s Market, Goshen, IN
April 1-2: Plain & Simple Spring Market - Shipshewana, IN
April 23-24: Tri Kappa Arts Fair - Elkhart, IN
May 28: Trevor Daugherty Clayworks Open House - Goshen, IN
June 4 - Village at Winona Arts Fair - Winona Lake, IN
July 23rd - Ruthmere Pottery Show - Elkhart, IN
August 28 - Taste of the Gardens @ Wellfield - Elkhart, IN
September 10 - Arts on the Millrace - Goshen, IN
September 24-25 - Michiana Pottery Tour - Goshen, IN
I’ll continue to update this page as more information and dates become available. Thanks for following along!
-Trevor
Reflections on 2021: A year to remember and forget
I’m sitting here with just hours left in 2021 thinking about a wide range of topics. Each year, I hope that I can sit down and reflect in this space. There is plenty to say, but first and foremost, it must be communicated to all of you out there…
THANK YOU.
In one way or another, I’ve been supported by so many folks in this year. Buying pots. Checking in on my well-being. Offering a kind word or lending a hand in this period of massive transition for myself, my family, and our world.
2021 was the hardest year of my life. Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, I left a stellar job that had given myself and my family more than I could ever hope for. At least in the traditional sense.
I found that my entire life was wrapped up in the identity of my work. I craved more while also feeling an immensely overwhelming sense of gratitude and, if I’m being honest, having more than I could ever need. The last 18 months has seen an incredible outpouring of suffering in our world. The news is overwhelming. Our planet is crying out. And here I was, both overwhelming satisfied, yet wanting so much more. This paragraph screams of the privilege that I’ve enjoyed over the last decade. I want to recognize that.
At the outset of the year, I made the very difficult decision to leave my job. I was hell-bent on pursuing my dreams and also freeing myself of corporate dependency. My wife and I had a vision to be a larger part of our community, to be known in our town, our faith family, and feel a larger sense of accountability to those around us.
2021 has delivered more ups and downs than I could possibly relay here. I sold more pots from the studio than I could have dreamed for the first full year of business. My work can be found in homes across the country, in local restaurants, with our friends, and with folks we’ve never seen before. I am immensely grateful for that. By today’s final count, we’ve sold just over $31,000 in pots for the year. A wild number as far as I’m concerned. I am overwhelmed by that figure.
2021 has taught me how to sell. Something this introvert that’s been behind a keyboard for a decade didn’t know how to do. With the constant encouragement and nurturing of my wife, Bre, I’ve put myself out there more than I ever thought was possible. I have a lot of growth still to go in this area, but I’m feeling more confident.
2021 also delivered an immense amount of grief. I lost two grandparents. My favorite uncle who married Bre and I. We also lost another year to the pandemic. We’ve been very cautious and I’m thankful for a spouse who has been on the same page throughout. We’ve been healthy, and for that, I am thankful. We’ve missed out on countless family and community events, choosing to stay home instead. We lost out on Christmas. But my daughter has been able to safely attend Montessori school without any issues, for which I am extremely thankful for.
2021 has been hard. It’s been great. It’s been long. I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. Rejoiced. And thought I’ve made some of the biggest mistakes of my life. And yet, we made it to the other side.
If you’re still reading, I’ll say thank you again. I’m so looking forward to the year ahead. There will be new work on the way from the studio. Which will hopefully more accurately convey where I hope to be going. I think I’ve found a voice inside that I didn’t know I had. It’s just nurturing that voice along and helping it to find it’s way in the year ahead.
Wishing you all peace and happiness.
-Trevor
Holiday schedule: Restocks, bazaars, and pop-up shops, oh my!
The holiday season is shaping up to be a very exciting few months here at the studio. We made it through the Michiana Pottery Tour unscathed with a successful weekend where we welcomed nearly 500 guests across two days.
I’m spending my days preparing for November and December, which includes a number of events, both soda and woodfirings, and more. A limited number of new decal mugs will be available along with some of my latest work.
Things are good and I’m happy to share my holiday schedule with you all!
November is shaping up to be a busy month with a number of fun activities! I’ll be restocking my Etsy store for the holiday season on Thursday, November 4th. Like last year, we’re anticipating a clogged up shipping season, so make sure you order early! I’ll have mugs, bowls, and much more available throughout the month. Here’s the full list!
November 4: Etsy restock
November 5: First Fridays Art Tour at Goshen Brewing Company
November 14: Goshen Holiday Farmers Market
November 19-20: Middlebury Hometown Holidays Bazaar
November 27: Trevor Daugherty Clayworks Pop-up Shop at The Electric Brew in Goshen (Small Business Saturday)
November 29: Etsy Cyber Week Sale
December has plenty going on as well! That includes the online portion of the holiday Michiana Pottery Tour on December 4th. That same day, I’ll be a part of the Holiday Cup Exhibition that opens in Fort Wayne.
December 4: Michiana Holiday Pottery Tour and Artlink Holiday Cup Exhibition
December 11: Trevor Daugherty Clayworks Pop-up Shop at Fables Books in Goshen
December 12: Goshen Holiday Farmers Market
December 17: Deadline for holiday shipping
As always, thank you all so much for following along. I’m so grateful for your support!
September events: Arts on the Millrace and Michiana Pottery Tour
Summer is drawing to a close at the studio as Bre and I look forward to a big month of September. Things kick-off with Arts on the Millrace in Goshen on September 11th.
This annual event down by the Farmers Market will feature a number of local artists and more pottery than you can imagine. Goshen’s robust contingent of ceramics artists will be out in full-force during the single-day event. If you’re down at the market grabbing some late-season fresh produce, make to pop over and check out all of the art on display.
Two weekends later marks the 10th annual Michiana Pottery Tour. This event happens each year on the last weekend of September with various ceramic artists around the region opening up their studios to visitors. This is a particularly special event for Bre and I as we host the Michiana Pottery Tour at our home for the first time. We’ll have local artists Dick Lehman and Lorie Marsh on-hand, as well. You can get all of the necessary details and a map of the weekend’s events on this page.
I’d love to see you at either of these events in September. I’ve had a lovely few summer months in the studio and am feeling like I’m really locking in the soda kiln firing schedule. I’m very pleased with the work coming out of the studio and the progress I’ve made recently. Hope to see you all soon!
Reflections from the first half of 2021
Like all ill-conceived writings spaces, this blog hasn’t had the level of intention I hoped for so far. Turns out someone who previously wrote extensively and edited content all day hasn’t had much desire to write. Who would’ve thought?
But here we are. 2021 has been one hell of a ride so far. There has been so much to be thankful for. Of course, you can hear about my career changes in this previous post from earlier in the year. Fast-forward to the end of June and half the year is almost gone. The pandemic has waned in some ways but continues to show itself in unexpected corners periodically. I’m thankful for vaccines and the hope it has provided. There’s been a bit of normalcy. I’m still reading too much news and trying to find that special balance between being informed and mentally healthy. All in all, life is good.
My new daily routine has been anything but that. I’m finding joy in the unexpected. Less time in front of the screen. Spending more time in the studio. Meaningful space to be a better husband and father. And of course, time in the studio and working on our publication, Edible Michiana.
Much of my efforts this spring were centered around building a new soda kiln on our property. This massive undertaking took nearly a year of planning and was rather labor-intensive. Thankfully, under the guidance of kiln extraordinaire Ted Neal, we got it done and have now completed two firings.
The soda kiln was a very symbolic addition to our studio. It’s a costly endeavor. Something that I have worked hard to finance for some time. It’s also the next step in the journey of building a recognizable brand for the ceramics portion of Bre and I’s studio. If you’ve not been following along on Instagram, you should. I’m trying to share this new work regularly and gain feedback.
I have a shop update scheduled for tonight, June 30th, at 6 PM, which will be my first real offering of this new batch of work. I’m excited to share these new pieces with a broader audience. Admittedly, this round feels like our first foray into sharing the work we’ve put so much time into. Previous store restocks felt much more experimental. This time around represents a more accurate picture of where I hope we’re going.
If you’re still reading, thanks for checking in. Reach out, I’d love to hear from you. The past year and a half has brought so many changes in our life. There are people I miss. But life is good. I got up this morning and enjoyed a coffee at my favorite local shop. A simpler and different life being well-lived.
Thanks.
-Trev
Clay Community: A Documentary Short
A look at Clay Community, a documentary about Goshen’s ceramic scene.
I’ve very fortunate to live in a community that places such a high value on art and the creators around them. Recently, the Goshen Arts Council created a short documentary discussing the history of the ceramic tradition in our area. I was lucky enough to be a part:
Simplification and following your dreams
The last year has brought plenty of change. 2021 is no different.
I’ve shared my story here and there over the last year as our ceramics studio on the property here in Goshen has evolved. I’ve mentioned how this has been a dream of mine for a long time. How I have longed to be a part of this ceramic community in Goshen, IN. But even purchasing a studio still can feel like miles away from accomplishing that dream.
After a year of juggling a full-time job writing and working upwards of 60 hours per week, trying to build out a studio, and attending to the needs of my family, I decided to make the jump. The jump into being a full-time ceramics artist. The funny thing is, what pushed me came out of nowhere.
In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, my wife and I were approached about purchasing a regional food and culture publication: Edible Michiana. I was more or less familiar with the magazine, which many of our friends deemed “coffee table worthy.” But the finer details of the who, when, and where behind this publication were not.
Edible Michiana is part of the larger Edible Communities, a network of publications across North America that focus on the regional happenings across our country. It’s a great place to find the latest restaurants in your area, pick up some new in-seasons recipes to try, and fawn over the gorgeous photography.
Given the nudge I was feeling to make changes in my professional life, my interest was piqued. Half a year later, I had left my 9to5 job, owned the magazine with my wife, and started working in the studio full-time.
Edible Michiana is, without a doubt, a full-time job in its own right. But, given that it’s a quarterly publication at this time, it has a fairly predictable rhythm and gives me space to pursue other passions.
That includes time in the studio and being a full-time caretaker for our daughter. Two joys in my life that have become increasingly non-negotiable. I love making pots and I love being a dad.
These days, the mornings look a bit slower and the nights are a bit longer. Weekends seem more like weekdays, and Monday and Tuesday are more open. I’ve made a real commitment to my physical health and enjoy doing yoga roughly five times a week while also running on the treadmill or riding the bike in our basement. Mental health is strong.
On the studio front, I’m relishing in the idea that I’m a potter. It’s part of my profession now. While I’ve been consistently working on building inventory for Etsy shop updates and summer shows, a surprise came my way in late January that provided a clearer picture for what this new life might look like.
Justin Rothshank, a new friend and well-known potter from Goshen, invited me to join his team of production potters. Given that my studio is just a stone’s throw from his home, it made a lot of sense. Adding in a consistent routine of creating 100+ mugs, tumblers, and steins per week, and it has brought a kind of focus to my studio that I’m grateful for. If you bought a Bernie mitten cup recently, chances are my hands were in the process. It’s been a joy and mental challenge to manage the scheduling, drying cycle, and kiln firings but the pay-off has been huge for my skill-building.
So that’s what life looks like now. In fact, this is the first time I’ve written anything in a month. Which is a welcome change from the thousands of words I was churning out daily. I feel refreshed. Life is good and simpler. I’m thankful for progress on the vaccine front of the COVID-19 pandemic and hopeful brighter days are ahead.
Thanks for following along.
Concluding 2020 with Gratitude
A wrap-up of the 2020 year with Trevor Daugherty Clayworks
What a year it’s been. I’m sure most content you’re reading at the end of December has that sentiment. And while much of my life has been turned upside due to the pandemic, I’m saying that first line with a heart of gratitude.
I officially took ownership of my pottery studio in January. I somehow actually had an in-person show at Goshen’s First Fridays in March and then much of the world was changed.
Despite what was a wild ride, in hindsight, I see so many things to be thankful for.
For this post, I’ll keep it to the ceramic portion of my life. Across two in-person shows, two online shows, and opening my Etsy store, I was able to sell 173 pieces of my work in roughly nine months. My goal was 100 for the year.
I am thankful.
If you checked out my site, store, bought something, or simply followed along, I’m thankful for your support. It’s fairly mind-bending to imagine that there are 173 pieces of my work now out in the world. I can’t say that I’m proud of every piece, but I did my best to put forth an honest first attempt at getting this business off the ground.
The last two days I’ve gotten back into the studio and started setting the foundation for a real line of products for 2021. My goal is to have a steady stream of always available work on my Etsy shop with regular, hopefully once-a-quarter, or more updates with unique pieces and additional colors added to my line.
It looks like the year ahead is going to be a big one for more reasons, both personally and professionally, and I’m excited to share more of that portion of my life in due time. If you’re still reading, I invite you to follow along on my Instagram account or Facebook page. This is the easiest way to stay up to date on the latest happenings in the studio.
I’m looking forward to continuing to expand my operation, bring more work to market, and gather feedback from customers. In the meantime, I want to say with my utmost sincerity:
Thank you for your support. I am grateful.
A fall day studio tour
A fall studio tour featuring the beautiful colors of the trees in our woods
It’s been prime time Michiana weather here at the studio this week. The trees in our woods are changing with all sort of color popping up daily. The temperatures have been in the mid-70s as well, making it a perfect time to open the studio doors and enjoy all that is happening.
Given the beautiful scenery, I thought it would be a great time to put together a little studio tour. Enjoy the imagery below and feel free to shoot me any questions below or on Instagram!
Opening a store, shipping mugs, and another community firing
Recapping a busy month of August and September
What an exciting few weeks it’s been since I wrote about our August kiln firing here at the studio. So much good has happened in the midst of what continues to feel like uncertainty in the air around us.
September 1st I officially opened my Etsy storefront with a selection of mugs. All told, I offered up 60 different pieces at $30 each with the promise of donating the first week’s profits to the Center for Healing and Hope in Goshen, IN. I was blown away and grateful to be able to donate just over $1,000 as part of this initiative. In the week or so since I’ve been able to move my inventory and am beginning to look forward to a holiday re-stock in early November.
There seems to be two schools of thought amongst potters when it comes to the idea of how much inventory to keep online. More and more are going towards a cycle of complete re-stocks filled with new product periodically as opposed to maintaining a traditional storefront that’s always filled with inventory. So my plan is to go with the periodic refreshes for now.
During the last month I was also able to participate in Arts on the Millrace here in Goshen, which was a virtual event alongside a Saturday spent in downtown Goshen throwing pots and demonstrating. It’s been a very exciting few weeks!
All of which has culminated in another community firing of my gas reduction train kiln last weekend. While it wasn’t packed quite as full as our previous go around, there was a nice variation of pieces. Things didn’t go quite as planned throughout the firing and it took us quite a long time to get to temperature. It turns during the firing a piece of insulation fell down over the flue, so it was tough to get a good draw. Thankfully, we were eventually able to get there but it left some pieces not quite fired to temperature.
Overall, it was a good lesson and there’s plenty of room for growth with this new knowledge gained during the last month. If you’re not yet following along on Instagram, I’d encourage you to as it’s one of the best places to stay up to date on my happenings.
August 2020 Firing and Other Summer Happenings
A brief overview of my most recent firing in August with Dick Lehman, Norah Amstutz, and Codey Holliday.
What a summer this has been. It’s safe to say 2020 hasn’t shaped up as any of us expected. I was slated to take part in five shows this summer, four of which have been cancelled and one has moved completely online. Things haven’t gone as planned. More to come on this front in the next few weeks.
I had long planned for a late July firing of my gas kiln but that got pushed back a few weeks as things continued to evolve with the COVID-19 pandemic. So it ended up falling on the first week of August as I was once again joined by local potters Dick Lehman, Norah Amstutz, and Codey Holliday. It was the biggest count we’ve had in the kiln so far, as we filled nearly every corner with mugs, platters, and more.
In the midst of everything going on in the world, these firings continue to be a huge source of joy for me. A chance to have a bit of community, even with masks on, has been very meaningful. As well, the journey of figuring out the kiln and its mysteries has also been enjoyable. This group of four, ranging from the veteran in my old friend Dick to newer additions to our community in Norah and Codey, has cheered each other on as our work has evolved with each firing. I am very thankful for these four folks.
As far as the actual firing is concerned, this one was the best yet. We saw some real progress made on body reduction with brilliant swipes of the flame across the bottom of our pots. Copper reds showed up a bit more, but still remain a work in progress. Overall, the quality of work was high across the board, and that made me very happy.
Here are a few standouts that I’ve photographed so far….
Late Spring 2020 Firing
Six artists in all from Goshen, IN participated, each contributing a handful of works. Not only was it a chance to pack the kiln nearly full, but also a moment of community that’s been so hard to come by over the last few months.
Amidst a season of change, feelings, and self-reflection, I was able to gather a group of local potters for another firing of my reduction train kiln.
Six artists in all from Goshen, IN participated, each contributing a handful of works. Not only was it a chance to pack the kiln nearly full, but also a moment of community that’s been so hard to come by over the last few months.
As well, there was simply an indescribable personal joy that came along with this round of firing. It felt like I had found my way into this community of potters, which I’ve watched from a distant for so long.
Seeing Dick’s flow-y glazes next to Zac’s handmade skulls. Norah’s beautiful rutile colors and Codey’s thrilling copper reds. And, of course, Justin setting the scene on his cups for some glorious decal work to follow. It felt like a sense of excitement that has seemingly escaped the last few months.
Overall, it felt like the best firing yet we’ve had here at the studio. Having Codey’s expertise around during key reduction points was a huge help. As well, having the kiln mostly full seemed to cure some of the woes I’ve had so far this year with carbon trapping.
In the time since, the attention of our world and my own life has shifted to other concerns and a period of self-reflection. Below you’ll find a few highlights from the kiln opening. I’ve been hesitant to share much on social media, but also have welcomed the chance to show my experience. I look forward to the months ahead as I continue to find my voice, both as an artist, and a human trying to navigate this world.
Early Spring 2020 Firing
In the midst of our second week of social distancing during the Coronavirus pandemic, I chose to turn my attention to preparing for a gas kiln firing. Although I’ve fired it twice before, once sampling glazes, and another time with a half load, this felt like it was my first true attempt.
In the midst of our second week of social distancing during the Coronavirus pandemic, I chose to turn my attention to preparing for a gas kiln firing. Although I’ve fired it twice before, once sampling glazes, and another time with a half load, this felt like it was my first true attempt.
My gas kiln was built in the early 1980s by local legend Marvin Bartel, a career ceramics artist and art educator at the local college. In recent years, it had not been fired as often, being limited to full loads at cone 10 just handful of times each year.
Having fired the kiln in January and February, I felt like for the first time I was well-versed in its unique features and ready to take on some of the finer details. I attempted a body reduction halfway through in hopes of darkening the clay a bit and set the stage for brighter colors. I kept strenuous records and worked hard to do it the right way.
Ultimately, the results left me with a lot to be desired.
From bland colors to a few mishaps with loading, it just didn’t come together as I had hoped. That’s not to say that it was without any standouts. A handful of side-fired pieces turned out, and my Malcolm Davis Shinos had some nice flashes as well.
It was another good learning experience.
Below you’ll find a few pictures from the unloading and some brief snapshots taken in our woods shortly after. I’m already looking forward to more opportunities as the weather grows warmer and experience continues to build.
On to the next one…
A winding journey to Shino
A recent Malcolm Davis Shino Bowl from my February firing - This particular Shino recipe has long been a favorite of mine, and those across the ceramics world. While the colors are stunning (if you're lucky), it's the story behind the glaze's creator that really makes it a standout for me.
Bowl with Malcolm Davis Shino Glaze, February 2020
A recent Malcolm Davis Shino Bowl from my February firing - This particular Shino recipe has long been a favorite of mine, and those across the ceramics world. While the colors are stunning (if you're lucky), it's the story behind the glaze's creator that really makes it a standout for me.
Malcolm Davis originally went to seminary to prepare for a life in ministry, but through a love of social activism and the civil rights era became a force for peace and justice in his local community.
Here's a brief portion from his Washington Post obituary:
“He’s a historical figure in pottery because of that glaze,” Mikhail Zakin, a potter and teacher at the Art School at Old Church in Demarest, N.J., said. “He was just intuitively a beautiful potter.”
There was something about his discovery of ceramics that had the life-altering force of a religious epiphany. Mr. Davis had spent years grappling with the eternal questions of the human spirit only to find himself drawn in a direction he never expected.
“It was when I touched clay for the first time in my life, at almost 40, that it changed my life forever,” he said in a 2010 speech to the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. “Something inside took over. . . . Clay found me without my seeking it.”