Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Manson.
Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a studio potter and pottery instructor, and clay has been a huge part of my life for more than twenty years. For nearly two decades I taught pottery in Virginia while building my own work as an artist. Eventually I found myself dreaming about creating something bigger than a studio—a place where people could gather, learn, create, and feel connected.
In 2024, I took a leap of faith and moved to the Pocono Mountains, where I founded Kettle Creek Pottery. We transformed a historic property into a creative campus with studios, workshops, and community events. Today I spend my days making pottery, teaching, hosting visiting artists, and helping people discover the joy of working with clay. It’s been a winding road, but creating meaningful experiences through art has always been at the heart of what I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s true of most meaningful things.
Building Kettle Creek Pottery has required a tremendous amount of faith, persistence, and hard work. I relocated to the Pocono Mountains to create a place where people could gather, learn, and create through clay. Along the way, I’ve faced the challenges that come with starting and growing a small business—restoring historic buildings, managing the financial realities of entrepreneurship, rebuilding a customer base in a new community, and wearing every hat from artist and instructor to marketer, bookkeeper, and maintenance crew.
There have also been personal challenges that have tested my resilience and forced me to adapt in ways I never expected. Those experiences have shaped both me and the business. They’ve reinforced my belief that creativity isn’t just about making art—it’s about problem-solving, rebuilding, and finding a way forward when things don’t go according to plan.
In many ways, pottery has been the perfect teacher. Things crack, warp, or fail in the kiln, and you learn to adjust, try again, and keep moving forward. The journey of building Kettle Creek Pottery has been much the same, and I’m proud of what has been created through both the successes and the setbacks.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in functional ceramics and hands-on pottery education. Over the years I’ve taught thousands of students, from complete beginners to experienced potters, and I continue to be fascinated by the way clay brings people together. Whether someone comes to make their first bowl on the wheel or attends a weekend retreat, my goal is for them to leave feeling creative, accomplished, and connected.
What I’m probably most known for is creating a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable learning, experimenting, and building community. Kettle Creek Pottery is more than a studio—it’s a gathering place. We host pottery classes, visiting artists, community art nights, and creative experiences that encourage people to slow down, work with their hands, and connect with others.
What I’m most proud of is what we’ve built from the ground up. In just a few years, Kettle Creek Pottery has grown into a vibrant creative destination that welcomes thousands of visitors annually. Watching people walk through the door as strangers and leave as friends—or seeing someone discover a talent they never knew they had—is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just teach pottery; I create opportunities for people to experience creativity in a meaningful way. The pottery is important, but the real magic happens when people gain confidence, build relationships, and realize they’re capable of creating something they never thought possible.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is simple: start before you feel ready.
Whether you’re pursuing art, starting a business, or learning a new skill, it’s easy to believe you need more experience, more money, more confidence, or the perfect plan before taking the first step. In reality, most of what you need is learned along the way.
I also wish I had understood earlier that setbacks are not signs you’re on the wrong path. Every artist has failed pieces. Every business owner makes mistakes. Every creative project encounters obstacles. The people who succeed aren’t necessarily the most talented—they’re often the ones who keep showing up and keep going when things don’t work out the first time.
For artists specifically, I’d encourage them to focus less on perfection and more on curiosity. Make a lot of work. Experiment. Be willing to make things that don’t turn out as planned. That’s where growth happens.
Most importantly, build relationships. The opportunities that have shaped my career have come through community—teachers, mentors, fellow artists, students, and supporters. Creative work can feel solitary at times, but having people around you who encourage and challenge you is invaluable.
And finally, remember that success doesn’t always look the way you imagined it would. Sometimes the most meaningful things you build come from taking a detour you never planned to take.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.kettlecreekpottery.com
- Instagram: @kettle_creek_pottery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KettleCreekVentures
