In The Studio With Dodge Station Pottery

Dodge Station Pottery was founded in 1978 by Jeff and Cherie Napp (my parents). They did the majority of their business during the summertime at art and craft fairs, when a school teacher’s schedule would permit. Last summer, I left my job as a designer in the Home Fashions industry to come home, start the family business, and show it to the nation! I realized the product my parents made; handmade, functional, stoneware pottery that’s made in America, is something that was missing in the marketplace. The demand for cheap, disposable dinnerware, made overseas in a factory, is not what consumers want anymore. People are turning toward sustainable and environmentally conscious choices.

I was fortunate to gain all of this insight into the home design industry in my corporate career, which was an amazing experience. But part of me was drawn back to the artisan lifestyle, probably because that’s how I was raised. I’m loving every minute of being involved in a small business and studio setting. My expertise has been the web design, graphic design, branding, and photography so I do a lot of work on my beautiful new MacBook Pro in coffee shops and in my studio apartment.

However, I also work in the pottery shop and am taking an apprenticeship with my dad, the master potter. It’s going to take a while to get as good as him, but I love learning about clay! I am a textile designer at heart and love all things print and design so the plan is to introduce a line of linens into the collection.

I hope you liked hearing a little about what I do at Dodge Station Pottery and I hope you enjoy our pottery!