On the Market.

Jayn Avery is a local artist from Floyd, VA and owner of Blue Heron Pottery. She sells her work regularly on the Roanoke Farmer’s Market every Saturday from March to December. She is a self-taught potter, and an advocate of simple living and personal independence. She creates hand-built, lace impressed, functional, stoneware pottery and free form sculptured vessels. Following is an interview I conducted with her about her work.

How long have you been producing pottery?

Since 1972.

What type of pottery do you create?

Hand-built, functional pottery.

How did you get started making pottery?

I took a beginner’s class in pottery at the student union in the University I was attending while I was working on a Masters in Environmental Education. The smell of clay changed my world. It took two years for me to decide to become a potter instead of a teacher. I had never imagined the possibility.

What was on of the first pieces you ever made?

The first piece I remember was a big clunky jar I made on the wheel. It had a big bulge in the bottom and a thin neck. Later I would recognize the shape when I went to a Saxon Pottery Museum in England. I guess it was in my DNA.

What inspires your art?

I discovered that clay could be impressed by very find texture. I also loved the way it moved as a slab - sort of like heavy canvas. I grew up sewing and made many of my clothes and learned to apply some of those techniques to clay.

At what other venues have you sold your work?

When I married, my husband and I shared the desire to homestead and live independently from the work of our hands. He was a musician but we knew pottery would work better as a livelihood since we wanted to live in the country. We sold our work at craft fairs throughout the Eastern Mid-Atlantic states. Our kids - two daughters - grew up in the craft fair world. It was hard work, but fun.

What tips do you have for someone doing their first art or craft show?

It is important for your work to stand out. Display is very important. Even more important is a sincere interest in the customer. It is not just about selling. You are also there to educate and inspire.

What mistakes have you made along the way that you wish you’d had advice on before you started selling?

It took me a while to get that small shows were often better than big ones. Also that attending the same fairs year after year built a sort of clientel or customer familiarity with your work.

What do you love most about making pottery?

I still love the smell of clay. I love its practical function and its uniqueness. I especially love working at home on my own time and pace. And I have learned that after 35 years there is still room for improvement - always new ideas.

Share one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?

I’m an introvert.

Use five words to describe yourself.

Grounded.
Naive.
Independent.
Open-hearted.
Open-minded (air-headed.)

Anything else you’d like to share?

I did not give up my love of nature and concern for the environment that I held in the ’70s. I chose to live the a life of simplicity to model a more harmless way for humans to be on this earth. I have had solar panels for my electric for 20 years. I grow much of my own food. I require few things. I live quite happily without a TV.

You can view examples of Jayn’s work on her website located at http://www.blueheronpotteryweb.com.