Welcome to the Kings Creek Pottery website. My name is Kathy Catlin and I absolutely love to make pots. Kings Creek Pottery is located in Gallupville, N.Y., Schoharie County. I live here with my husband Chris, two springer spaniels and one old cat. During the summer months we have lambs and a few pigs, as well. Lately a llama has been joining the crew and we enjoy watching her antics!
My interest in pottery began in Rochester, N.Y. where I grew up. A local potter gave lessons to children and I started when I was 13. It turns out that I had some natural talent for pottery and I loved it! After taking lessons for a year, my teacher, Laura Burleigh, offered me the opportunity to apprentice with her. In addition to teaching, Laura ran a small guild in her basement ~ all women. I really enjoyed all the drama and intrigue of working in and around the group. Working for Laura was a life changing experience. I was 15 when the guild dispanded and Laura no longer needed my help. ( I think she tired of all the drama and wanted some time alone to create in peace!!). I bought a wheel, clay and set up a small studio in my basement. However, being in a basement alone with clay did not suit my budding adolescent need for boys, beer, and excitement! I wandered off into other areas of interest... 
My first show, 1975.
For the next 15 years my father lugged around the 300 lb randall wheel and 500 lbs of clay while I went to college, worked, and went onto graduate school for social work. I could not part with it. Finally, I sold it all to a woman who was in school at RIT. I thought my life would be too busy to allow for potting, time to "grow up" and all that nonsense. Try as I might, the desire to make pots never left me. 
the old randall wheel
Years later, fate guided me to Barbara Reeley of Riverstreet Pottery in Troy, N.Y. When my hands got back into the clay I literally started tearing up. I was going to be a potter, come hell or high water! Barbara is an amazing woman and teacher. Her energy and support helped me have the courage to make the plunge and set up my own studio. Dennis, her husband, runs Northeast Ceramics in Troy, N.Y. Dennis helped me pick the right equipment for my journey. Being a member of the Collar City Clay Guild helps me stay in touch with Barbara and many other talented clay people in our area. I continue to work as a high school school social worker while I make pots... weekends, summers, and any time in-between! I often walk through the studio, just to smell it, before I get in the car for work! Eventually I will be able to devote myself to pottery full time, until then I appreciate every minute I have in the studio. |
My studio is located in our 1869 barn. It has a wonderful view of the vegetable garden and hay fields. An adjoining barn room was converted into a kiln room a few winters ago. The kiln is an electric Skutt 1227. I fire to cone 10- which is 2345 degrees. I recently adopted a used gas kiln (a Bailey 38/24) which allows me to fire in reduction, adding a new dimension to my pottery. Once this is up and running, my Skutt will be allocated to mostly bisque firing and the Bailey will do the glaze firings.
Our barn is now solar powered- adding to the "green" factor of our property. The house is already hooked up to solar.
The Hay Fields during the summer months:
