Meet Trailblazer Wattanee Audrain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wattanee Audrain.

Wattanee, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always wanted to touch clay and create bowls from clay that are functional and unique for my own kitchen.

My husband Brad listened to me for some time telling him how much I would like to learn to throw pots. I told him I planned to start when we retire. He insisted that I would regret having waited that long. He gave me a birthday present of six lessons on how to throw a pot. At the time, we had just had our second child so my time was limited. I took five of the lessons and realized this was my calling! We began setting up my studio in my husband’s workshop and I started going to work. My concentration was poor due to my highest priority my new son. I put pottery on hold until I could give it my full attention with no regrets.

Three years went by and my studio was set up waiting for me to be ready, I decided to take a pottery class at community college. From that point, I knew I had begun my journey. I set my goals of what I wanted to do and how I wanted to see myself as a potter. I saw my art is connected to food. I told my instructor Tim Hernandez at the community college, what I would like to learn from him, from mixing of glazes and mixing a special clay body that was able to be used for cooking in, on the stove or in the oven! Tim was very kind; he taught me everything I asked. During the classes, I always wanted to throw pots with the thinnest walls I could, which I believe helps with setting me apart from many other potters.

I started to sell my pottery when my house and kitchen are full of my work. At that time, Uptown Farmers Market had just started. This is a market that runs year-round every Saturday. Here, I had a chance to sell my work. I immediately started to develop relationships with all my clients. I told myself I wanted all my pottery pieces to speak to my clients for me even when I was not around.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has been very challenging along the way and it has required lots of time. Without my family support, it could not have been done. My husband did take care of our two sons while I was going to my pottery class once a week. On the weekend, I would spend time creating pots to improve my skill over the next seven years.

In the beginning, my pottery was not selling like it is today. Very often, we would go to a market and sell very little. I continue to develop my skills and today I have a very strong business.

When it was time to go sell my pottery, we went as a family. My husband has been a very big part of my journey and now he is a partner in business as well. We have been working and creating clay art together.

We’d love to hear more about Pots from Clay.
My trademark is the thinnest walls on my pots as well as my custom made glazes. Over the years, I have added to my art the pots mentioned earlier, that can be used on the stove or the oven. I have a large customer base that enjoys using these “Flameware Pots.

What sets me apart is my commitment to improving my skills and my commitment to my art and my appreciation for my customers.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Not everything I do has to generate income, for example, I have displayed my art in many markets knowing full well that I probably will not sell anything. However, very often, it helps generate contacts and connections in a variety of ways.

Pricing:

• My standard bowls are food, microwave and dishwasher safe. Prices can range from $25 to $90.
• My Flameware which is oven and stove safe are priced higher due to the requirement of me personally mixing the minerals to create this special clay. These pots are priced between $75 to $150.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.potsfromclay.com
• Phone: 602-573-0972
• Email: wattanee@potsfromclay.com
• Instagram: pots_from_clay
• Facebook: Pots from Clay @potsfromclay

 

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