Est. 1984 · Ozark Mountains, Missouri
Thrown by hand. Made to last.
Handthrown stoneware by Susan Minyard
Lead-free · Dishwasher safe · Ships worldwide
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Featured Pieces
Small-batch studio pottery — each piece is made individually by hand.
Years of Craft
Susan Minyard opened Sweetwater Pottery in 1984 — and has been throwing pots ever since. Every piece carries four decades of practice and intention.
Cubic Foot Kiln
Fired in a 90 cubic foot downdraft gas kiln reassembled at Sweetwater from New Orleans. The kiln Susan rebuilt brick by brick with the help of potter friends.
Custom Commissions
If you've seen Susan at a craft fair and want something you don't see in the shop, get in touch. She loves commissions and will work with you directly to make exactly what you want.
"I opened the pottery in 1984, wondering if it was possible to make a living doing what I loved. Imagine my surprise when I was successful."
A little over forty years ago, Susan and some friends decided to save the earth by buying as much of it as they could. They found a wonderful 500-acre farm in the Ozark Mountains — abandoned since 1946 — and incorporated as Sweetwater Community Land Trust.
The pottery studio started in an old carriage shed of 200 square feet. It didn't even have room for all her equipment. Now, all these years and thousands of pots later, Susan makes stoneware that ends up in homes across the country.
New pieces. Susan's stories. Studio news.
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"I've been using my Grove mugs every morning for fifteen years. They still look beautiful and have never chipped. That's what handthrown stoneware does — it lasts."
— Customer, Grove Collection
Questions before ordering? Reach out anytime →
"If you can draw it,
I can probably make it."
— Susan Minyard, Sweetwater Pottery
Custom commissions are one of Susan's favorite things to do. A specific pattern, a larger size, a piece you've had in your mind for years — bring the idea and she'll make it real.
- Direct conversation with Susan
- Quoted individually, no surprises
- 50% deposit to begin, balance before shipping
- Ships anywhere in the world