Jo Ann Ackerman Biography
My background is in graphic arts and relief wood carving. Twenty years ago we moved to North Georgia. There I met Lin Craven, a 9th generation Folk Potter in the Craven family line, going back to the 1700's. As we became friends, she generously shared some clay with me, mentored me in the basics of Folk Pottery, and fired what I created. I loved this new medium immediately and set up my own studio in my home. Within a year my work was being sold in Burton Gallery, Sautee Nacoochee Center Gallery and with several local merchants in the Cleveland area. I also participated more widely in three local and regional festivals. My early items were mostly the traditional Folk Pottery vessels of face jugs, pitchers, cups and vases. These items were all hand built with traditional designs, and hand mixed glazes.
As my business grew, I continued to specialize in hand built vessels with my own unique style and some modern touches to compliment my traditional Folk Pottery designs. I expanded my products to include tea sets, wall pockets, wall art, and other vessels. I started teaching pottery classes, one on one or in small groups.
In 2014, while I was teaching a small class of women in my studio, one student asked if jewelry could be fashioned from clay. Her question inspired my desire to develop a line of wearable art for those who desire one of a kind items. I now have expanded my pottery to include a complete line of hand built, one of a kind, collection of necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. This has created a unique niche for my company, Paradise Valley Pottery, in the pottery market. These original designs with hand painted glazes compliment everything from jeans and sweaters, to your dressiest outfits. Every piece has a story. Some are made from antique buttons. Some are found objects. Some are even bits and pieces from my tool box. See if you can identify them. ENJOY!
Jo Ackerman
Paradise Valley Pottery
