Julie Huebner creates handcrafted and heartfelt pottery

MARINETTE – Despite having just wrapped up a busy holiday shopping season, Julie Huebner is back in her pottery and art studio preparing new hand-made pieces for purchase or creation in a class.

Huebner was driven to create Julie Huebner Pottery & Art Studio through her life-long passion and interest in pottery. Although she had been working in this medium for many years, the opening of the physical space — with the help of her husband, David — is what sparked this business endeavour.

“Once the decision was made to build on our property, we acquired the necessary permits and designed the space to accommodate a kiln, pottery wheels and other equipment and tools,” Huebner explained.

“We completed the majority of the construction ourselves — it was a fun experience,” she added.

This home studio is where she creates products that she later sells or re-creates with students during one of her many art classes.

When beginning the artistic process, Huebner said she often draws inspiration from nature, “the way the trees layer against each other, the colors, the depth of it draws me in.”

From there, she begins the process of turning clay into art — a process that requires many steps even for something that may look simple.

Huebner explained the work, “I start with raw clay — mostly using the handbuilding process — rolling the clay into slabs with a slab roller then cutting and forming it into the designed shape. Once the pieces have completely dried, they will go into the kiln for bisque firing. After glazing they go into the final kiln firing.”

Some of the pieces in the studio that she sells include home decor, serveware, custom mugs and garden art, which is where her love for flowers and gardening can be seen through detailed floral designs.

“I make a wide range of pieces from small blooms designed to be nestled into potted plants to larger statement flowers that can serve as birdbaths in the garden,” she said.

Huebner’s mugs have also become a popular staple that she often sells directly to businesses. Most recently, a shipment of custom mugs were sent to Saunders Point Brewing in Gladstone, Mich., as well as to LaTulip Brewing Co. in Cooks, Mich. for their yearly mug club.

Since mugs are such a popular product, they are amongst the many items Huebner makes with students in her classes.

These classes run as project-based courses where each student makes the same item, such as a mug, flowers, chip and dip sets or wind bells.

“On class day, students will go through the process to make the piece out of raw clay [and then] they are given the option to come back to do the glazing or I’m happy to do it for them. Once the piece is glazed and fired they will pick it up,” she explained.

Huebner posts class sign-up information online, or a special class can be booked as an event by a group of six to 10 members. She recommends taking a class as a fun night out between friends or a bonding activity for coworkers.

Julie Huebner Pottery & Art Studio is located at W758 Edwards Ave., Marinette, and is open for sales and classes on select dates or by appointment.
For more information, visit her Facebook page or call (715) 938-2546.