Hello! I am Fred Ellis. Sit down for a minute and let me tell you the story of Something Southern Pottery...
Our pottery adventure began in 1994 when Laura and I spent a lot of our off-duty time from work going to arts and crafts fairs. Laura was into stained glass, fused glass, and drawing. I was into anything that could be made or shaped by hand, wood turning, glass blowing, candle making, and most especially, clay work.
Every time I saw a potter at work, I would just stand and watch. Laura got so tired of hearing how I thought it would be fun, and I would like to try it. 
I came in from work one day and she pointed to a newspaper that was stuck to the refrigerator door. It was a full-page ad about a pottery class that was being offered. My reply was rather off-handed that it looked like fun. Laura said that she hoped so, that I would start on Monday.
How It All Began
And that was how I started and where I met Bob Fazio, an Art Instructor and potter. Bob had studied under Charles Counts, a world-renowned potter and author. I truly fell in love with clay the first time I felt it slip through my fingers on the wheel.
For the next 4 years, it was a hobby, and I made pots in our house. I bought a wheel and a used kiln. As retirement approached, I began to wonder what was next. I decided to take some more instruction and signed up to study with Stephen Jepson in Geneva, Florida. After retirement, Laura and I decided to take our pottery on the road. We combined Laura's gift basket business with the pottery and became Something Southern Pottery. We signed up for some small Art and Craft shows and now do about 20 a year. We also have some gift shops and art galleries that carry our pottery. Please see our list of events and visit us when you are in the area.
We use a stoneware clay fired to approximately 2200 degrees. Fred mixes all of our glazes and slips in the studio, and none of our glazes use any lead. All kitchen pots are food, dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe. We try to make a useful item and at the same time one that gives visual pleasure. We make decorative functional pottery for kitchen and household use.
ALL OF OUR WORK IS ONE OF A KIND. PLEASE DON’T EXPECT EXACT MATCHES. Every piece is made by hand on the pottery wheel.
We also make one-of-a-kind items for decorative uses and visual pleasure. Laura and I continue to try and bring new ideas and applications to our pottery. We studied in the UK last summer with Seth Cardew, a world renowned potter. Please see our pictures on Wenford Bridge Pottery. We were able to incorporate some of the techniques into our unique slip-decorated pots.
We still take workshops and travel to seminars to get fresh ideas for our work.
Enjoy our site and happy viewing and shopping!
Fred & Laura Ellis
Something Southern Pottery
Jane Austin
Apprentice Jalen Austin
Hello! I am Jalen Austin, a ceramic artist based in Canton, GA. I make decorative functional pottery under the name Cralen Arts, and apprentice with Something Southern Pottery.
I first discovered ceramics when I was attending Georgia Southern University getting a Graphic Design degree with a minor in Theatre. I only had enough time to complete two and a half projects in my first semester of ceramics before the covid lockdown took place, but despite painting paper plates for the rest of the semester, the love for pottery took hold.
After graduating, strikes in the entertainment industry and the rise of AI in the design industry made finding a job difficult, so I decided to pursue my love of ceramics. I gave lessons at a local art shop before it closed, but through that I discovered and joined the Georgia Clay Council.
Being a part of the Georgia Clay Council allowed me to participate in art shows and meet other potters in the area. It was at one of these art shows that I was introduced to Fred and Laura Ellis at an art show, and they offered me an apprenticeship. I have been working with them since the fall of 2023, and have been able to hone my skills and learn new techniques. I also throw some items for Something Southern Pottery, help upkeep the studio, and film and edit their YouTube videos.
I am currently doing art shows and festivals throughout North Georgia, but I hope to expand my business in person and through other online platforms.
Some of Jalen's Creations
