Meet George and Elsie Laurell of Laurell Pottery Works in Northwest

Today we’d like to introduce you to George and Elsie Laurell.

George, Elsie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Years ago we enrolled in pottery classes at a local college. We took semester after semester learning all aspects of pottery making from wedging clay, throwing clay, hand building, glaze making, and firing. It was our dream when we retired from other occupations to make pottery full time. We dedicated a building on our property for our studio.

Our home and studio is adjacent to Grant Woods Forest Preserve which provides inspiration for our pottery. We are also inspired by the “Arts and Crafts” potters around the turn of the century. We are always thrilled when one of customers tell us “this is going into my Frank Lloyd Wright house or on a piece of Stickley furniture”.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a business is always challenging in finding the right market place, and we work on that all the time. Many things can go wrong from start to finish when making pottery. If a pot cracks before firing it is usually lost. Glazes can be temperamental in the firing process. When we open up the kiln after a firing, we say “it can be Christmas or Halloween”. Over time you keep working at your craft to make it as best as possible.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Laurell Pottery Works – what should we know?
Our pottery has the look of the Arts and Crafts period. We have developed our own style and designs, yet remain influenced by the potters of that period. We use a stoneware clay that fires to a higher temperature, which vitrifies the clay, and makes it water tight. Other contemporary Arts and Crafts potters fire at lower temperatures, and their pottery does not hold water.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our customers inspire us to strive to do more, even if they do not purchase, their compliments keep us motivated.

Contact Info:

• Address: 36373 North Hawthorne Lane
  Ingleside, Illinois 60041
• Website: www.laurellpottery.com
• Phone: 847 587 5056
• Email: george@laurellpottery.com, elsie@laurellpottery.com
• Facebook: laurellpotteryworks

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