Meet Eric and Karen Tippit | Head mudslingers/Potters

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric and Karen Tippit and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric and Karen, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
We actually evolved into an artistic career in a most unconventional way. We both had Masters Degrees and careers in other fields for many years before we became disillusioned with the corporate mindset. At that time we decided to take the chance, leave our careers, and pursue a vocation where we could work together to create something meaningful. We had inherited some land, so we became a Grade A Dairy and artisanal cheesemakers. We successfully built two creameries but the work/life balance was a struggle. During that time, we wanted someone to make some simple cheese plates for our shop and when no one would step in, we decided to learn to do it ourselves. So, long story short, we bought an old beat up pottery wheel and began to learn. It wasn’t long before we fell in love with the clay, sold our cheese company, moved to a place that fed our creativity, and now continue our life long exploration into the world of pottery.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our studio is located in the historic town of Tombstone, AZ, hence the name Tombstone Pottery (formerly Burnt Offerings Pottery). We can be found at the Heirloom Farmers markets in Tucson as well as the Sierra Vista farmers market. Also we will be at various shows in the area just check our social media and website for locations and dates. We can also be found at Undertakers Expresso bar in Tombstone and La Posada in Green Valley. We create both wheel thrown and hand built functional pottery for your home or business and we fire our pieces at Cone 6 in our electric kilns. We mix our own custom clay body and custom glazes and we feel this gives us the ability to create unique pieces meticulously hand crafted for daily use with our customers in mind from start to finish. We are self taught and have drawn from many resources including books and the internet, but mostly from spending time in the studio. It is a constant journey. Their have been many challenges along the way, including navigating the effects of running a business during a pandemic (which led us to relocate to Tombstone, AZ for better opportunities), equipment failures, supply chain issues, marketing, and the balance of work/life in general while pursuing an artistic career. We want you to experience beauty and joy through daily use of our pieces.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We live in Tombstone, AZ and their are many old western historical sights to see in town including the Good-Enough mine, the OK Corral, and the Boot Hill cemetery, there are also daily gunfight re-enactments, stagecoach tours, bars, restaurants, and shops to explore. But we feel the hidden gems in the area are the recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and four wheeling the many mining roads in the area, and in the nearby Dragoon mountains including the Cochise Stronghold of the Coronado National Forest, the Chiricahua National Monument, the ghost towns of Gleeson, Courtland, and Pearce. (Shout out to Patti at Pearce Pottery). Within 25 minutes of Tombstone is the town of Bisbee with its own history and art scene, and Sierra Vista with a great farmers market on Thursday. Kartchner caverns in Benson is a 30 minute drive. Finally, an hour from here of course is Tucson where you can include visiting the Heirloom farmers markets Udall Park on Friday, Rincon on Saturday, and Rillito Park on Sunday.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Of course, being a husband and wife team, we support each other in all aspects of our home and work life. To do what we do would be impossible without each other and without the guiding hand and blessings from our God. There have been countless mentors from the ceramics world who have influenced our work, from the forefathers such as Bernard Leach, Warren MacKenzie, and Phil Rogers along with all their protégés who followed. And also those who currently generously give their knowledge and inspire us in their practice, such as Bill Van Gilder, Simon Leach, Steven Hill, Matthew Kelly, and many others too numerous to mention. There are also the many local potters on the ground in both Silver City, NM and in Southern AZ who have formed a supportive network for us and have been so generous with their time and knowledge. Finally, we recognize each and every one of our customers who have a love for handmade functional pottery and support our endeavors. To all we give thanks.

Website: www.tombstonepottery.com

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/tombstonepottery

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/tombstonepottery

Other: Email: tombstonepottery@gmail.com