About

I’m Jodi Lew-Smith.

Of all the things I do, making pottery is the most like dessert. As in, a treat. Clay is a form of soil, so turning it into beautiful and useful things never stops being fascinating. It’s the same reason I garden.

In other parts of life I write historical novels, curate a genomic database, grow apple trees to make a lot of cider, and raise money for our local public library. You might notice I like to stay busy.

My studio is at our farm, which sits on top of a hill in rural northern Vermont. As I work I can see the apple orchard and the gardens, so I get to watch a lot of birds. If they’re eating things they shouldn’t, that’s mostly OK by me.

My work with clay is a love affair full of learning and laughter and also disappointment. Pots don’t always keep their round. Glaze doesn’t melt or blend the way I hoped it would. But all of that is good—for it should be a continual challenge to make beautiful things.