About Me
Hi, I'm Carrie Althouse, ceramic artist and owner of Althouse Pottery.
My journey with clay has been anything but traditional. After teaching art for nine years, I stepped away from the classroom in 2007 to become a full-time mom. As our family grew, so did my pottery business. What started as a creative outlet has become a lifelong passion and the work I feel called to do.
Surprisingly, I only took one ceramics class in college. The rest has come through years of experimentation, curiosity, countless hours in the studio, and a willingness to keep learning. Every success and every failure has helped shape me as an artist.
I create mostly artisanal stoneware, both functional and sculptural, but I have to admit I'm often more captivated by the visual story a piece tells than by its intended function. Texture, form, earthy colors, and unexpected surface treatments are what excite me most. I love discovering new combinations. Opening the kiln never gets old. Seeing each finished piece waiting inside feels a little like Christmas morning.
Nature has always been my greatest source of inspiration. My family of four has traveled to all 50 states, exploring mountains, deserts, coastlines, forests, and everything in between. Those adventures continue to influence my work as I strive to bring the beauty of the outdoors indoors. We live a very flexible life and often whisk away on a mini trip at a last minutes notice which is one of the reasons I do not have posted hours.
One thing you'll quickly find is that my studio is always changing. I'm constantly experimenting with new techniques. While that sometimes means a favorite design or item may not return exactly as before, it also means there's always something new to discover. I love keeping my customers wondering, "What's Carrie going to create next?"
Although I left the classroom years ago, my passion for teaching has never faded. One of the greatest joys of this journey is connecting with others through classes and workshops, where I can encourage creativity and help people discover the satisfaction of making something with their own hands.
I especially love visiting schools and sharing my story with students and talking about how I built my business, the path that led me here, and encouraging them to pursue their own creative passions. Watching their eyes light up as a lump of clay transforms into a piece of pottery on the wheel is pure magic. Their curiosity, excitement, and wonder remind me why I fell in love with clay in the first place, and I hope those moments inspire them to dream big and create fearlessly.
When I'm not in the studio, you'll usually find me enjoying the outdoors, spending time with my family, or seeking quiet moments with God. My faith is an important part of my life, and I regularly spend time in His Word, asking for wisdom and guidance, not only for my business but for the life I'm building through it.
At the end of the day, I truly feel like I'm just playing in my studio, exploring ideas, pushing clay in new directions, and seeing where creativity leads. It's a joy I never take for granted.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my incredibly supportive husband. While he owns and operates his own business, Skyline Fireplace, he's also the behind-the-scenes force that helps keep Althouse Pottery running. He's the heavy lifter, packer, driver, bookkeeper, QuickBooks expert, and tax preparer... essentially everything that allows me to spend more time creating in the studio. Every small business needs someone who believes in the dream, and I'm grateful every day that he's my biggest supporter in this adventure.
Thank you for supporting Althouse Pottery. I hope these explorations bring as much beauty and inspiration to your home as they have brought to my life.
Hi, I'm Carrie Althouse, ceramic artist and owner of Althouse Pottery.
My journey with clay has been anything but traditional. After teaching art for nine years, I stepped away from the classroom in 2007 to become a full-time mom. As our family grew, so did my pottery business. What started as a creative outlet has become a lifelong passion and the work I feel called to do.
Surprisingly, I only took one ceramics class in college. The rest has come through years of experimentation, curiosity, countless hours in the studio, and a willingness to keep learning. Every success and every failure has helped shape me as an artist.
I create mostly artisanal stoneware, both functional and sculptural, but I have to admit I'm often more captivated by the visual story a piece tells than by its intended function. Texture, form, earthy colors, and unexpected surface treatments are what excite me most. I love discovering new combinations. Opening the kiln never gets old. Seeing each finished piece waiting inside feels a little like Christmas morning.
Nature has always been my greatest source of inspiration. My family of four has traveled to all 50 states, exploring mountains, deserts, coastlines, forests, and everything in between. Those adventures continue to influence my work as I strive to bring the beauty of the outdoors indoors. We live a very flexible life and often whisk away on a mini trip at a last minutes notice which is one of the reasons I do not have posted hours.
One thing you'll quickly find is that my studio is always changing. I'm constantly experimenting with new techniques. While that sometimes means a favorite design or item may not return exactly as before, it also means there's always something new to discover. I love keeping my customers wondering, "What's Carrie going to create next?"
Although I left the classroom years ago, my passion for teaching has never faded. One of the greatest joys of this journey is connecting with others through classes and workshops, where I can encourage creativity and help people discover the satisfaction of making something with their own hands.
I especially love visiting schools and sharing my story with students and talking about how I built my business, the path that led me here, and encouraging them to pursue their own creative passions. Watching their eyes light up as a lump of clay transforms into a piece of pottery on the wheel is pure magic. Their curiosity, excitement, and wonder remind me why I fell in love with clay in the first place, and I hope those moments inspire them to dream big and create fearlessly.
When I'm not in the studio, you'll usually find me enjoying the outdoors, spending time with my family, or seeking quiet moments with God. My faith is an important part of my life, and I regularly spend time in His Word, asking for wisdom and guidance, not only for my business but for the life I'm building through it.
At the end of the day, I truly feel like I'm just playing in my studio, exploring ideas, pushing clay in new directions, and seeing where creativity leads. It's a joy I never take for granted.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my incredibly supportive husband. While he owns and operates his own business, Skyline Fireplace, he's also the behind-the-scenes force that helps keep Althouse Pottery running. He's the heavy lifter, packer, driver, bookkeeper, QuickBooks expert, and tax preparer... essentially everything that allows me to spend more time creating in the studio. Every small business needs someone who believes in the dream, and I'm grateful every day that he's my biggest supporter in this adventure.
Thank you for supporting Althouse Pottery. I hope these explorations bring as much beauty and inspiration to your home as they have brought to my life.
