What kind of creative genius spawns works ranging from practical and charmingly adorned berry bowls to hysterical Frankenstein cookie jars? Well, Jill Wiener of course!

Subsequent to discovering her passionate aptitude for wheel-thrown earthenware and stoneware, Ms. Wiener's life followed a simple ritual of splitting her time between teaching at Mud, Sweat and Tears (Hells Kitchen, NYC), Earthworks (Upper Eat Side, NYC) and eating/sleeping/bathing at her Hell's Kitchen, apartment. After many restless nights generated from a recurring dream (that there were greener, open-aired pastures yonder-right through the backdoor of her NYC studio) she decided to seek them out.

Ms. Wiener heard the sirens' song lure her back to the point of her conception (Grossingers, New Years Eve, 1961). In 1996, after a hectic 3 day search of the Catskills she finally maneuvered her vehicle through a long scary dirt driveway, oddly reminiscent of the Tin Man's woods from the "Wizard of Oz". When she Saw the rustic late 18th century farm house, sparkling pond and weather worn barn (complete with a rust-streaked tin roof and irrational cat) Ms. Wiener knew that she and her faithful poodle companion, Friscolina, were home.

After dozens of excavations and revisions, the barn houses Earth Girl Pottery. Her home is sound, the gardens are flourishing and so is she. Like a mad scientist, Ms. Wiener works feverishly concocting a fabulous pottery cocktail: her recipe is 1 part clay, 2 parts whimsy mixed with an equal part of function. in her fantasy world gorgeous hand-built roses decorate vases, wild-eyed farm animals guard the cookies and blue speckled pasta bowls are big enough to hold food for lorge family reunions. In your reality, these masterpieces (signed by the artist) grace your home, lighten your spirit and just make you smile.

When she is not producing her wares she's busy teaching at the Catskill Art Society, tending to her garden, protecting herself from the wild cat, minding the chickens and cooking up tasty treats for her friends and family.

www.earthgirlpottery.com