Made Maker
Photos by Emma Highfill, Rose Wheat Photography
Diane Horn makes pottery because it is what she was called to do. Looking at her stunning pieces, it’s clear that Horn has a gift for creating objects that are beautiful, functional and unique.
“I make one-of-a-kind pottery, handcrafted with loving creativity, to add beauty and truth to people’s lives and homes,” Horn said. “I make my pottery the slow, old-fashioned way, taking my time with each piece and praying for the eventual owners.”
Made Maker became a business in September of 2018, but Horn’s journey with pottery began when she was a college student at Florida State University, where she was born and raised.
“I took a wheel throwing class and fell in love,” Horn said.
Horn spent several years in Florida, helping minister to college students with her husband and studying under her mentor, Randy Glotfelty, of Jen-Ken Kilns. About 10 years ago, Horn’s husband accepted a pastor position at a church in Topeka.
“In the throes of the baby/toddler years, I temporarily set aside trying to make a business of my pottery,” Horn said. “I’ve also been homeschooling for the last eight years, which still remains my highest calling and my full-time job. About two years ago, my youngest was entering preschool, and I began to notice a little glimmer of margin for making.”
A friend suggested that Horn try hosting a booth at Cider Days, which led to serious thoughts about starting a business out of pottery. The first step was just making more pieces, developing a body of work with a distinctive style.
“I wanted the look and branding of my work to align with those elements of truth and beauty in a clear and simple way, so I chose to stick with a neutral color palette, which keeps my aesthetic cohesive,” Horn said.
Horn’s pieces are indeed simple, yet beautiful. She likes to preserve maker’s marks, glaze drips, fingerprints, and other irregularities, because they are part of what makes the pieces special and unique.
“I can try to make two things just alike, but there is definitely a one-of-a-kind nature to each, and people value that. My prayer is that at least every once in a while these marks will remind the user to reflect on the fact that they are also special and unique,” Horn said.
Next, Horn had to come up with a name for her business. She wanted something that would help people understand the purpose behind her work. After brainstorming a list of options that didn’t quite fit, her husband suggested the name Made Maker, and it just felt right.
“The name reminds us that we have all been made with a purpose, with truth and beauty ingrained in us,” Horn said. “When I create, I am imitating the creativity of God who made me.”
Horn began sharing pictures of her work on various social media platforms to get feedback and inspire other makers to share their work. Then she took the leap and signed up for her first event.
“When I got to Cider Days and set up my booth, I was amazed at the response,” she said. “So many of our friends and church family showed up in support. Those first few shows I did helped me to establish a presence here in Topeka.”
Social media also played a big role in building a following for Made Maker. Horn continued to share pictures of her work with good lighting and a neutral backdrop, and friends shared her posts, bringing more followers to her page.
“I did not anticipate the amazing community supporters that have shared my work on their own social media platforms,” Horn said. “It has really been all their doing! Community cheerleaders like Lesleigh Hodam, Miranda Chavez-Hazim, Caroline Bivens, Tammy Thiessen, Alison Beebe, and so many more. They promoted my business without me ever asking them to, which was such a blessing.”
2020 has not slowed Made Maker down. Fall through Christmas has been the busiest time for her business, but she also has a waiting list for her popular Topeka Flag mugs, and she takes commissions from customers throughout the year that keep her busy, as well.
“I had anticipated that COVID-19 would be a ‘huge pause button,’ as my Dad would say, but it really didn’t slow things down at all for me,” Horn said. “If anything, I think people spending more time in their homes made them think carefully about what they want in their homes.”
Horn also collaborates with other micro and small businesses, which makes her feel more connected to her community.
“Topeka has been so warm and welcoming, and I love to collaborate with other local businesses and makers,” Horn said. “Tammy Thiessen with Thiessen Design Co. was one of my earliest supporters, and I have made several custom pieces for her amazing interiors. Analog Candles feels like a sister company, with a similar customer base. We bounce ideas around and encourage each other. We do a combo piece together–my lidded jar with their amazing candles poured into them. Kevin Conard at Blue Jazz Coffee Roasters helped me to develop my pour-over coffee pot. Mandy Swift at Beauty from Ashes has included my pieces in some of her gift baskets. Cambridge Kitchen and Bath has featured my work in their new showroom. And, of course, Ash Boutique has been amazing to showcase my work in their beautiful new store. Most recently, I’ve been collaborating with Jan Eitel of Antlers and Acorns. She makes the beautiful handcrafted baskets for my bread stones.”
One of Horn’s goals for the future is to pass on what she has learned to up-and-coming makers. So far, Horn has worked with one apprentice, and found that the experience was as much about human connection as it was about teaching.
“Taking on an apprentice is work,” Horn said, “but it’s a gift, as well, a way to give back in thanks for the gifts we’ve been given.
Horn has been creating her work in a corner of her garage, but she recently expanded into a newly constructed studio with the help of her husband and community. The space is still a part of her home, but it’s spacious, and dedicated to pottery.
Follow Made Maker online to enjoy the beauty of Horn’s work, and to see where she takes her artistry next.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadeMakerPottery
https://www.facebook.com/mademakerpottery/
IG @mademakerpottery
