The Artist

Rich Hepp is a master in the art of wheel-thrown pottery. A native of New Mexico, he learned his craft at NM State University at Las Cruces. After graduating in 1979, he built a 4000 square foot shop and home from adobe. From there he ran his pottery for almost 20 years before moving East in 2001. Rich is well-known throughout the Southwest for fine dinner- ware sets, mugs, and a wide collection of matching kitchen gear. In 2003, Rich reopened his pottery in the tiny borough of North Wales in Pennsylvania, 30 miles north of Philadelphia. He continues to sell and ship his wares from the shop as well as at fine craft shows from Virginia to Connecticut.

The Process

Each piece of pottery begins as a lump of clay which is thrown and trimmed on a potter's wheel. Carving, handles, and other decorations are added before the clay is fully dry. The dried pieces, called greenware, are bisque fired at about 1800 degrees to make them hard enough to glaze.

Glazes and oxides are applied to the bisqueware in layers that will melt in the second firing to create various color and texture effects. The kiln is fired to almost 2400 degrees in the glaze firing. The high temperature melts and bonds the glaze with the clay to create a durable and functional stoneware.

All our pottery is microwave, dishwasher, and oven-safe. Each dish is uniquely beautiful, but more importantly it is functional. We have pieces that have been in daily use for 20 years - and they are just as attractive as the day they came out of the kiln!