Aksh Gupta, a passionate entrepreneur, co-founded Occasion.app with Pelle ten Cate to revolutionize booking software for business and consumers alike. Under his leadership, the platform now serves thousands of businesses globally, facilitating millions of consumer bookings annually. Based in Chicago, Aksh enjoys life with his wife, Deanna, and their beloved pet, Bobby.
Ammie Williams, aka Ammie Y’all, is an Atlanta-based ceramic artist, illustrator, and 2025 Tombow Creator Crew member. She’s the designer behind a popular line of bisque ware with Bisque Imports, and her vibrant, hand-painted ceramics are beloved in personal collections across the country. Ammie also creates social media content for creative brands, hosts two podcasts—Paper People and Glazed Over—and runs a thriving YouTube channel focused on journaling, memory keeping, and creative business. She’s a frequent speaker at conferences on topics like ceramics, content strategy, and creative entrepreneurship.
Anna is a passionate artist with a deep love for ceramics and creativity. After studying art at De Montfort University in the UK, Anna turned that passion into a thriving business, setting up, owning, and running a PYOP studio for over a decade.
Always eager to explore new artistic techniques, Anna ventured into 3D printing, designing and crafting unique cutters, stamps, and textured rolling pins to create beautiful clay pieces her studio, and to complement her clay workshops. She launched Cutters for Clay in 2021 when other studio owners were keen to buy her designs for their own studios and today her designs are used in studios around the world, particularly in the UK, Australia, and the US. In addition to selling her designs, Anna also teaches studio owners and their teams how to run clay workshops and regularly supports studios taking their first steps introducing clay into their businesses.
Anna’s husband, Ian, is very much a part of Cutters for Clay too, handling the technical side of their 3D print farm, and being a much needed helping hand at events. They are currently building a studio space at their home to expand Cutters for Clay. When not working they enjoy lovely walks in the countryside with two lively dogs, Monty and Pepper.
Bre Hamberger, Chesapeake: Bre is the general manager of Chesapeake Ceramics. With a BA in art and education and an MA in ceramics, she has spent the last 23 years sharing her passion for ceramics and making the science behind it both accessible and exciting. She specializes in breaking down complex ceramic concepts and helping others understand the "how" and "why" behind clay and glazes. When she's not working with clay or teaching, you’ll likely find her cycling around Maryland or giving well-deserved belly rubs to every dog she meets.
Bryson received his BFA from the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a focus on ceramics and sculpture, and has a decade of experience teaching from grade-school to the graduate level. He taught wheel-throwing at The Arts League of West Philadelphia to a range of adult students, from beginners who had never touched clay to experienced potters looking to hone their craft. Bryson worked to create an environment where newcomers would feel comfortable asking questions with direct support, while providing encouragement to develop new ideas and to push students to expand their skills. He has a passion for functional vessels made both on and off the wheel, but the wheel has a magic that draws him back time and time again.
Carrie Sealey is the owner of Paint a Piece in Germantown, Tennesse, where creativity and community have come together for over 27 years. Carrie’s journey in the PYOP industry began when the studio first opened and she joined the team as a college student looking for a fun, creative job, and never truly left. Through multiple degrees and career paths, Paint a Piece remained her constant, always calling her back. In 2016, she made it official and became the proud owner along with her father, Cary Mills (aka Pops).
Paint a Piece offers pottery painting, canvas art, wood projects, clay hand-building workshops, and the beloved Perfect Prints clay impressions. With hands-on experience across every aspect of the studio and a background that includes a mechanical engineering degree and a master’s in teaching high school mathematics, Carrie brings a unique mix of creativity, structure, and business savvy to everything she does. She’s passionate about helping fellow studio owners expand and streamline their offerings, and her approachable teaching style makes her a trusted guide for anyone looking to grow their studio with confidence and heart.
When she’s not painting custom pottery, Carrie is busy being the unofficial Uber driver for their two kids—helping them chase their dreams and live their best lives. You’ll often find her as the loudest mom on the sidelines of her son’s travel baseball games or cheering on her daughter in soccer (or whatever sport she dives into next). And when the family isn’t at a field, they’re likely on the road chasing their favorite team—the Savannah Bananas.
Catherine Kinzie is the passionate owner of Pick & Paint Plus Studio in Lexington, North Caroline, with over five decades of experience in the clay arts. Her journey began at age five , when she discovered a vein of natural clay on the family farm and realized its potential beyond simple mud play. By six, she was learning ceramics alongside her grandmother and mother, and she later honed her skills in hand-throwing and hand-building techniques, showcasing her work at art and craft competitions for many years. Catherine deepened her expertise with a two-year intensive study at art school, focusing on all things clay, before purchasing Pick & Paint Plus in 2016.
Catherine holds Bachelor of Science degrees in biology, accounting, and business administration, as well as a two-year certification in interior design—credentials that inform both her creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. While clay remains her first love, she delights in blending it with other media to create truly unique mixed-media artworks. At Pick & Paint Plus, Catherine combines her lifetime of ceramic experiences with a spirit of experimentation, inspiring students and collectors alike.
Debi DelaCruz is the owner and creator of De La Design Pottery tools. Debi’s background is in stainless steel design engineering, working for a company that formed vessels from sheets of steel in much the same way that vessels can be made from slabs of clay. Debi has since combined her 3D design experience with her love for slab-built pottery. De La Design, located in Springfield, Missouri, is run by Debi and her husband, Jeff, and also employs Debi’s daughter Corie, son Grant, and Grant’s wife, McKenzie.
Crista Toler, Mayco: Crista entered the ceramics industry in 1997 when she opened her studio, Stroke of Genius, in Wilmington, NC. During that time, she served on the CCSA Board of Directors in a variety of roles, including president, member benefits director, and supplier liaison. She joined Mayco in July 2013 as Market Specialist PYOP Manager. Crista’s passion and varied experience, from studio owner to bisque supplier and color manufacturer—give her unique insight into the industry. She believes in loving what you do and is thankful to work with the fun and creative people that make up our organization.
Erica Jones is the owner of The Turquoise Cup in Burlington, New Jersey, a ceramic studio and cafe offering clay hand-building, wheel throwing, and PYOP. With a strong background in operations and community engagement, Erica has leveraged Square POS to streamline her studio’s systems and build sustainable growth.
Ferne Benson is a studio owner, systems thinker, and spreadsheet enthusiast who brings real-world business savvy to the creative world of PYOP. With over 15 years of experience as a business owner—including running a thriving studio—Ferne understands the daily challenges and untapped opportunities studio owners face.
She is the creator of Excellerated Solutions, a business built specifically to help studio owners implement digital systems that save time, boost clarity, and increase profitability. Ferne is also the voice behind the Business Sense column in CCSA’s magazine, where she shares practical strategies and insights that studio owners can immediately apply.
After teaching a wildly popular workshop at last year’s CCSA Convention, Ferne was invited back to teach an expanded version of her session, designed to go deeper into the digital tools that can streamline operations and provide powerful business insights. Known for making Excel approachable (and even fun!), she is passionate about helping fellow studio owners work smarter—not harder—with systems that truly support their success.
Jackie Burrow and Gail Schomisch are the married team of All Fired Up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and are in their 27th year of studio ownership. Their business has focused mainly on PYOP as their main discipline; however, they encourage and coach studios that do canvas and fused glass to do offsite work as well. Their large-scale mobile model began in earnest 15 years ago and is now their primary focus, with the studio opened to the public on a limited, reservation-only basis.
Jackie hails from Texas and is known as "the fun one!" She handles the vast majority of customer relations, assisting their clients with advertising and promotion, and handles the studio's financials. Her previous corporate background at at Fortune 500 company trained her in Total Quality Management, which has been key to perfecting the required processes needed in an organized and efficient mobile endeavor for studios.
Gail is from Wisconsin and is called "the color girl" for their business. As the artist and primary designer, she branded their style and vibe, and is consistently the hands-on lead instructor for most of their offsites, especially for adult corporate sites. She creates the projects and promotional graphics that are used for acquiring new business, along with needed graphics to advertise booked events.
Now a supplier member, their line of coloring book bisque items for event work at Bisque Imports is available to all studios to assist with creating a great program. Retreats and workshops are offered and ongoing coaching and assistance to CCSA members are available.
Jacqui Hauser started The Studio for Art and Craft 18 years ago and has enjoyed growing the business and bringing new media and projects to customers the most. Jacqui and The Studio team have deep experience in delivering services both on and offsite to individuals and groups.
Jeff Rottman brings over 20 years of pottery teaching experience to the table. A former studio owner and now the owner of GR Pottery Forms, Jeff is passionate about sharing his knowledge and techniques with the ceramics community. You can catch him live on Facebook most Friday afternoons on the GR.Pottery.Forms channel, where he offers tips, demos, and inspiration for clay enthusiasts of all levels.
Jessica Cowan is a Mobile, Alabama, native who made it all the way to Tennessee to become the owner of The Pottery Place of Chattanooga. With over 15 years in small business leadership and nearly a decade of hands-on studio experience, Jessica has built a reputation for transforming customer service into a creative, empowering experience—for guests and staff alike.
She purchased her studio at just 28 years old, navigating a global pandemic to grow the business from $80K to $400K+ in annual revenue. Her approach blends Southern hospitality, strategic systems thinking, and a deep belief in staff autonomy. Whether she’s training new hires or mentoring fellow owners, Jessica’s mission is clear: to create studios that run with heart, clarity, and resilience.
When she’s not leading workshops or building training systems, you can find her dreaming up industry innovations, recording her podcast for studio owners, or designing whimsical, guest-centered experiences that make every visit unforgettable.
Jim Skutt is Board Chair and thrid-generation owner of Skutt Ceramic Products, Inc. Jim brings decades of experience, stories, and lessons learned from working with artists, educators, and manufacturers around the world. He teaches you through real-world kiln scenarios and foundational tips to keep your equipment—and your business—running smoothly.
Chelsea and Jon Sherman are the trailblazing founders of 24hr Pottery, the first scalable, membership-based pottery studio model in North America. What began as one location has now expanded into six thriving studios—and dozens more launched through their guidance across the US and Canada.
With Chelsea’s background in ceramics and education, and Jon’s experience in systems and entrepreneurship, they’ve created a model that brings new life to the traditional studio—centered around 24/7 access, community, and consistent recurring revenue.
For studio owners feeling stuck in outdated systems or unpredictable income, Jon and Chelsea offer a proven path to transformation. Today, they’re not just running successful studios—they’re helping others breathe new energy into their business, reignite their passion, and reimagine what’s possible in the world of clay.
Julia McNair has owned Do It Yourself Crafts in Birmingham, Alabama, since 1999. She served on the CCSA Board of Directors and has taught many classes over the years.
Kathy Cano-Murillo is an artist, author, and founder of CraftyChica®. She is a former syndicated newspaper columnist and now a full-time creativepreneur and has authored a dozen books, including two novels and the bestseller Forever Frida. CraftyChica designs have been sold on HSN, at Barnes & Noble, Michaels, and hundreds of retailers across the country. Kathy’s mission is to promote positivity via creativity! Features include Forbes, The New York Times, HGTV, CNN, Buzzfeed+ more. She is a third-gen Mexican-American and lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kelly Browning is not only a seasoned ceramic artist but also a thriving entrepreneur in the industry. With over 15 years of ceramics experience, Kelly has honed her craft to perfection. Alongside her artistic pursuits, she owns and operates two PYOP studios, providing a creative space for others to explore their artistic talents. Additionally, Kelly runs a wholesale bisque company, supplying high-quality ceramic bisque to artists and studios worldwide. Her dedication to the ceramic arts extends beyond her personal creations, as she is committed to fostering creativity and providing resources to fellow artists. With her combined expertise in ceramics and entrepreneurship, Kelly continues to make a significant impact in the art community.
Kristin U. Cole is a seasoned public relations leader with two decades of experience and a proven track record of delivering strategic, impactful communication solutions. She is the founder and CEO of KC Communications, a public relations firm dedicated to leading mission-minded organizations with strategic communication to affect, influence, and impact the world for good.
Throughout her career, Kristin has partnered with a wide range of notable leaders and organizations, including Interstate Batteries, PGA of America, I Am Second, Zondervan, Thomas Nelson, Baker Publishing, Joel C. Rosenberg, Anne Graham Lotz, Pastor Craig Groeschel, Sheila Walsh, and Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, to name a few. Renowned for her expertise in high-stakes situations, she has also provided confidential crisis counsel to organizations facing complex challenges.
Prior to launching KC Communications, Kristin served as president of one of the nation’s leading faith-based public relations firms. Under her leadership, the agency achieved significant growth in size, influence, and client success, earning more than 10 regional and national PRSA awards, including recognition for excellence in crisis communication.
Recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by the Dallas Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) in 2021, Kristin’s career is defined by strategic vision, exceptional service and results-driven leadership. Guided by her faith and a mission to serve others, she collaborates with clients who share her passion for making a difference. Through her leadership, KC Communications continues to amplify the voices of mission-driven organizations and individuals, inspiring action and delivering measurable impact.
Leanne Purkis launched her art studio in 2005 with a simple goal: to create a welcoming space where people could connect, create, and celebrate through art. Over the years, she’s specialized in hosting events—both in-studio and offsite—bringing creativity to life in a variety of settings and for all kinds of groups, including events with groups as large as 150 people.
About six years ago, she began working with Occasion, a platform dedicated to helping experience-based businesses succeed. That incredibly rewarding journey allowed her to combine her hands-on experience as a business owner with a deep commitment to supporting others. She loves being part of a team that empowers entrepreneurs, helps streamline their operations, and ultimately contributes to their growth.
Whether guiding a paint party or consulting with a fellow business owner, she is passionate about creating meaningful experiences and helping others find success doing what they love.
Lindsey’s designs are inspired by a mix of nature, all things retro, and her wicked sense of humor. Her skillset for creating projects suitable for walk-in customers as well as higher-level designs geared towards workshops results in tons of on-trend resources for Bisque Imports’ customers. Lindsey loves teaching and showing others how to express their creativity and gain the confidence.
Passionate about art since childhood, Lindsey entered the PYOP industry in 2012 and is grateful to have a career where she can be creative and share her designs with others. She loves to think outside the box and incorporate a twist of personality in her designs. As the Marketing Team Lead for Bisque Imports, she loves teaching and creating fabulous content.
Liz Martinez has had a wonderful career in the PYOP industry, with over 20 years of experience under her belt. From working in a studio to now creating art full-time, there isn't an aspect of this industry that she doesn't love! Originally from San Diego, Liz calls the middle Tennessee area home, where she lives with her husband, two children, and four outrageous pets. Her passion for ceramics shines through in her art, which is known for its vibrant colors and playful style. When she's not busy creating pottery, Liz can be found indulging in two of her other great loves: eating carbs and having fun.
Maggie Fretz has been working in ceramics for over 10 years. She started in community studios with kids' clay camps and managing shared studio space. She apprenticed at a handmade tile works in Pennsylvania and a production pottery in Montana. She oversaw slab production as well as glazing and firing at a production pottery in Vermont. Until recently Maggie managed glaze production and more at The Ceramic Shop in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where she is now the Customer Education and Engagement Specialist. Maggie makes both slab-built and wheel-thrown work in her home studio.
Michael Harbridge is the Senior Education Manager for Mayco Colors and has been teaching clay workshops for over 40 years. He loves to share his knowledge and creative ideas that have been proven to make money.
Michele, founder of Art Rave Studios, is a professional pet portrait artist. She licenses her original step-by-step painting designs to studios across the US, Canada, and Europe, helping them confidently offer high-quality canvas classes. Her goal is to help studio owners increase their revenue by giving their customers the best painting experience possible—fun, easy, and successful from the very first class.
Michelle Weaver is the owner of That Art Place, a creative art studio in Belton, Texas, offering pottery painting, fused glass, and clay classes. Before opening her studio 11 years ago, Michelle spent 8 years teaching art in public schools, where she learned how to guide all kinds of learners—from hesitant beginners to kids who dove in without fear.
Robin Griffin is a tried-and-true Texas gal with over 30 years of HR experience, handling everything from small business chaos to corporate compliance—sometimes in heels, sometimes in boots. She holds more HR certifications than most folks have passwords (SCP, SPHR, CP, and PHR), and she’s passionate about helping business owners tackle the wild world of HR without breaking the bank—or their spirit. When she’s not solving staffing mysteries or calming down a termination situation, Robin is busy living the good life with her husband, their two pugs, and their beautifully blended family of six kids. Her hobbies include crafting, camping, fishing, reading, going to the gun range (because sometimes HR needs target practice), and spending time at church. Equal parts practical and personable, Robin brings humor, heart, and a whole lot of hard-earned wisdom to every conversation—proving that good HR isn’t about making things complicated; it’s about making things work.
A native of Atlanta (okay, technically Mableton, Georgia), Russ Webb attended the University of Georgia and Georgia State University before embarking on a career in the hospitality business working for an international airline, a cruise line, a travel company, and a convention center, not to mention a stint as a professional high diver!
For more than 25 years Russ has managed and transformed organizations, and is currently the executive director of the Bay Area Apartment Association, which covers the most beautiful part of Florida!
Russ’s sessions range from how to use technology tools to be more productive, to why upping your emotional intelligence is the most powerful tool a leader can have. Russ also has a passion for customer service and social media, and showing companies how to make the most of their online presence by embracing the opportunity to interact with their customers and prospective customers in a fun way. Russ honestly believes that every day is a GREAT day and his enthusiasm and optimism (and sarcasm) will help you laugh and learn at the same time.
Tammy Gacek is Gare's talented staff artist with over 32 years of ceramics experience. In addition to being artist and “kiln queen” at her sister's former studio, The Magic Brush, her portfolio also includes a past career as a custom artist at Border Fine Arts. Tammy loves detail work, and loves painting small-scale miniatures for fun. One of her goals at Gare is to inspire and develop classes that are beautiful, easy to teach, and achievable for studios and customers to execute. She loves helping studios become more profitable through sharing her projects and designs. In addition to her artistic ability, Tammy also taught preschool, where she was passionate about sharing her love for the arts with her kids. Tammy loves spreading joy through her artwork. She is a firm believer in uplifting and encouraging others to be positive and inspirational.
Teresa Johnson has been part of the PYOP industry for over 20 years as a multi-location independent studio owner, supplier, educator, and now co-owner of Color Me Mine, PYOP franchise brand. She also owns PYOP Studio Stuff, a supply company created to serve the unique needs of studios across the country.
With a career outside of PYOP in human resources, operations, and finance, Teresa jumps at the chance to help studio owners bridge the gap to business confidence. She is passionate about helping owners build successful studios – and brings a real-world approach to this class. She believes that with the right tools, studio owners can build businesses that are not only fun but also financially strong and sustainable. Whether mentoring new entrepreneurs or guiding veteran owners through operational and financial growth, Teresa brings a practical, people-first perspective to every conversation.
Vanessa Steele is a lifelong artist and creative entrepreneur who has owned and operated her own art studio for over 14 years. With a deep love for community and creativity, Vanessa has spent her career helping people of all ages find joy through artistic expression.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, Vanessa noticed a powerful shift—more and more people were seeking hands-on, tactile experiences, especially with clay. Recognizing this growing demand, she began offering not just structured classes and workshops, but also walk-in clay building opportunities that welcomed clients of all experience levels. To make the process approachable and fun, she developed her own patterns and templates, empowering even total beginners to create beautiful, successful pieces.
As her clay program flourished, Vanessa saw an opportunity to support other studio owners looking to do the same. In 2023, alongside fellow creative and studio owner Leigh Anne Filkins, she launched Teaching Clay—a subscription service designed specifically for PYOP studios. Teaching Clay offers monthly tips, techniques, and project ideas, plus yearly in-person workshops that focus on the whole picture of running a successful clay program—not just the projects, but the business behind it.
Vanessa and Leigh Anne believe that clay is more than a medium—it’s a movement. And through Teaching Clay, they’re on a mission to help other studios harness its potential to grow, inspire, and thrive.
Vicki De Werth been in the fired arts industry for 13 years, starting as a customer and eventually owning and operating her own studio for several years. As of 2024 she’s become totally mobile, traveling to different locales, homes, and other places to teach or facilitate events, from birthday parties with PYOP to restaurants with canvas art. Being semi-retired allows her to enjoy more time with her husband, Fred, and the rest of her family. She serves on the CCSA Board of Directors, helps with CCSA’s Glazed Over podcast series, work with Ground Floor Artists in Surprise, AZ, and belongs to Loving Stitchers, where she uses her needlework skills. She enjoys traveling, reading, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Wendy Batten is a creative retail strategist, speaker, and host of the globally listened-to Creative Shop Talk Podcast. With nearly 30 years of self-employment and firsthand experience as a successful independent shop owner, Wendy now coaches hundreds of retailers across North America to confidently step into their CEO role and build profitable, passion-fueled businesses. She blends creative roots with proven strategy, and knows the maker and artisan space well, helping shop owners market with brain and heart—not hustle. Wendy is the founder of the Retailer’s Inner Circle, a high-touch coaching community where independent shop owners simplify success and thrive. Wendy coaches retailers around the world from a tiny crooked cottage by the sea, ask her about that sometime - it’s a fun story. Wendy loves connecting with the retail community on Instagram at wendybatten.biz, drop in and say and let her know you are going to be in Dallas, you can also find Wendy at wendybatten.com