Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Handcrafted Pottery & Gifts in Downsville, WI
Founded in 1973, Dunn County Pottery has been crafting hand-thrown stoneware, porcelain, and terracotta pottery inspired by nature and the human form. Our commitment to traditional techniques, including wood-firing in a custom-built noborigama kiln, reflects decades of expertise passed through generations. We prioritize sustainable practices, participating in the USDA Conservation Stewardship Program and powering our operations with solar energy. Located in Downsville, Wisconsin, our gallery and gift shop showcase locally made and fair-trade products, emphasizing community and environmental stewardship. With over 50 years of experience, we blend artistry with functionality, offering daily-use ceramics and unique gifts.Our property, adjacent to restored prairie and woodland, serves as both a creative space and a hub for conservation efforts. We welcome visitors to explore our showroom, gardens, and kiln-firing events, fostering connections through art and nature. Our team, led by potter John Thomas and Kathy Ruggles, remains dedicated to preserving craftsmanship while adapting to modern sustainability standards. This combination of heritage, expertise, and ethical practices defines our reputation as a trusted local business.
Services
Pottery
Gift Shop
Wood-Fired Ceramics
Fair-Trade Products
Self-Service Sales
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years of handcrafted pottery expertise
- Sustainable practices powered by solar energy
- Locally sourced and fair-trade gift selection
- Family-owned with generational ceramic knowledge
- Award-winning environmental conservation efforts
Associations and certifications
- USDA Conservation Stewardship Program
Services
Handcrafted Pottery
Our pottery is hand-thrown using stoneware, porcelain, and terracotta clays. Each piece is glazed and fired in wood or gas kilns for unique textures. Inspired by nature and the human form, these functional artworks include cups, bowls, and vases.
Gift Shop
We curate fair-trade and locally made gifts from Wisconsin artisans. Our selection emphasizes ethical sourcing and community partnerships. Items include handmade crafts, decorative objects, and specialty food products reflecting regional heritage.
Wood-Fired Ceramics
Traditional wood-firing techniques create distinctive glaze effects in our ceramics. Using a three-chamber noborigama kiln, we achieve natural flame patterns. Annual open-house firings demonstrate this centuries-old Japanese-inspired process to visitors.
People
John Thomas
Owner & Potter
Founder of Dunn County Pottery since 1973, John apprenticed in Japan and developed sustainable practices. He hand-throws most pottery and maintains the conservation-focused business philosophy.
Kathy Ruggles
Owner
Partnering with John since the 1980s, Kathy manages operations and sustainability initiatives. Together they restored local woodlands and implemented solar energy solutions for the business.
Questions
What are your regular business hours?
We're open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM for self-service shopping.
Do you offer pottery classes or workshops?
Currently we focus on production pottery but host seasonal kiln-firing demonstrations and events.
Are your ceramics food-safe and dishwasher-safe?
Yes, all functional pieces are glazed with non-toxic materials and designed for daily use.
Do you ship pottery outside Wisconsin?
We provide shipping options for most items through our online store and catalog.
How do you incorporate sustainable practices?
We use solar power, restore native prairies, and source local clays to minimize environmental impact.
Reviews (3)
Tracy Lea Landis
Oct 12, 2018
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Beautiful round schoolhouse full of John Thomas's fine pottery made on site and the work of other artisans, all available for sale....A spacious meeting room, also, with a wood floor and huge south facing windows!!!
Diana Witcher
Jul 18, 2018
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This is a wonderful place to stop for gifts, the pottery is hand crafted and a great addition to my kitchen. John always has a great selection of beautiful pots. This is also a lovely, spacious meeting or event space, and is open to visitors every day of the year.
Dirk Bruxvoort
Jul 07, 2018
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Went to this shop with some friends for an open house style sale. Very friendly atmosphere, lots of fun chatting with the potter himself and hearing about the other artists who made the rest of the artwork. Bought three lovely smaller items for Christmas gifts. After buying them the potter showed my friends and I around his studio and his different kilns including his traditional wood fired kiln.
