Handmade Pottery With A Heart As Big As Texas

By Cheryl Alexander

These days people want to know what is in their kitchens. We want to know where our veggies were grown, where our bread was made, where our coffee originated and even what kind of grains our chickens and beef were fed. Local farmer’s markets are crowded with patrons who crave all things homegrown and homemade. The phrase “farm to table” is so popular it’s used to market perishables and brand restaurants. And as much as a home-cooked meal is still the epitome of good, nourishing food for the body and soul, we have also begun to remember that the vessels in which we present and serve our food have much of that same power.

“When something is made by hand, it is special, because it tells a deeper story,” said Carrie Wainwright Miller, a pottery artist whose Texas Farmhouse Pottery is some of the most beautiful and magical you’ll find. “Unlike factory-made ceramics and stone­ware, with a handcrafted vessel, you get the warmth and love in each piece that was created for a purpose much like our own lives – a story that matters and makes a difference.”

Carrie creates useful, functional kitchen wares such as bowls, cups, mugs, platters, plates and more. The imperfect edges of each piece create her signature look that her customers and collectors love. Each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind. Her story, too, is as unique as her pottery.

As a small-town girl, Carrie grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. Her hardworking parents led by example. They taught her to be fearless, aggressively pursue her dreams, work incredibly hard, and in the process, give back even in the smallest ways. This foundation molded her character and work ethic.

As well, good genes gave her great beauty, which gained the attention of Houston’s most famous modeling agencies – Page Parkes and Neil Hamil. Carrie’s early career was in the modeling industry where she quickly learned the meaning of the pursuit of a dream. Though it was at times quite glamorous, she confirms that it was equally full of “hard knocks.”

“I scratched my way to the top,” she said, eventually modeling for top stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sakowitz Furs among others, and even working overseas in Tokyo, Japan. Little did she know that the layers of thick skin she was developing would be a great asset down the road. “God always knows what He is doing in our lives.”

Fast forward to 2001 when Carrie hosted a pottery class at her home for her then 7-year-old daughter and her daughter’s neighborhood girlfriends.

“Their elementary school art teacher, Ms. Morton, was so kind to teach the girls how to create sweet little pinch pots and large mouth fish,” said Carrie. “After class, there just happened to be some leftover clay, and I unbagged it minutes after everyone left and unbottled creative juices I didn’t know I had.”

Once that spark was ignited, Carrie stoked the fire of her creativity by taking lessons from English potter Janis Ross, former president of the Potter’s Guild in Houston and current president of Clay Arts Museum Education Organization (CAMEO), and Barbara Phillips, who taught ceramics at several local colleges.

During this time, Carrie went through a divorce, which gave her a greater appreciation for the small-town work ethic and thick skin she had developed as a model. Her circumstances changed dramatically, and she now had to shift her focus from things creative to things practical in order to support herself and her three children. ➝

She began working full time and soon after was able to purchase a kiln, a slab roller, shelving, tables and as many ceramic books as possible in order to learn as much about clay as she could.

“Now my creative outlet was no longer just a hobby,” said Carrie. “Now it was also my therapy.” Driven as well by a desire to be a provider and inspiration for her children, she began designing crosses, candle holders and word plaques, and started selling her art at local craft shows. She did so well that a year-and-a-half later, she was able to quit her job and began working full-time from her garage as an artisan.

“I rented a booth at The World Trade Center in Dallas, loaded up my Suburban with samples of my line, and doors opened for me” said Carrie.

Afterwards, back home in Houston, she hired three art students and two women to help her fill the more than 100 orders she had received.

“I truly believe that God kick-started me knowing that I needed to be home and provide security for my children,” said Carrie. “He is faithful. All this time, God was preparing me for even bigger things such as working the show circuit, selling retail to the public in multiple Gulf Coast cities and wholesale to boutiques, shops and galleries from The Hill Country in Texas to Seaside, Florida.”

In 2004, Carrie was asked to design a line of crosses and inspirational plaques for Carson Home Accents, which showcased at major markets across the U.S. as Carrie Wainwright Designs. Texas Farmhouse Pottery, Carrie’s current brand, represents the evolution and growth she’s experienced in both her personal and professional life.

“Though I can throw a perfectly symmetrical piece,” said Carrie, “I prefer the imperfect. I love that like our human lives, imperfections define us and make us uniquely beautiful and recognizable. And with our imperfections, we can still be used by God and appreciated by each other for what we do and what we bring. I lovingly embrace the imperfect in my pottery by manipulating the clay to create undefined edges – kind of a Southern comfort feel.”

So what is next for Carrie’s creative spirit? Currently, with the loving encouragement of her husband Joe, she feels her heart drawn to helping others accomplish their dreams.

“With years of experience as a creative entrepreneur and former single mom, I want to help those work through procrastination and accomplish great things,” said Carrie. “I want to continue creating and as well inspire and mentor others to throw away their fears, come alongside me and do what they’re truly made to do. We are all created with a purpose. We are called to dare to be bold, add value to this world, leave a mark on this generation and glorify our Creator.”

Those interested can find Carrie and Texas Farmhouse Pottery at the Round Top Antique Fair from March 17-April 8 at The Barn @ Bar W on Pond Road, where she will be collaborating with more than 20 other Texas artisans.

The vessels Carrie designs range from decorative to functional, and she welcomes custom work for chefs, wedding consultants, food photographers and bloggers. For more information, find her on Instagram @Texas Farm­house Pottery or online soon at txfarmhousepottery.com.