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SATURDAY December 6, 2003 - Subscribe - Contact Us Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels November 19, 2003 Schoenlebers' Ashland-crafted pottery moves too fast for those asleep at the wheel Amanda Bolsinger For the Tidings Artists Mark and Elizabeth Schoenleber relax on the steps of their treehouse. Ashland Daily Tidings | Satsuki Doi For Mark and Elizabeth Schoenleber, art is simply a transfer from their hands to your home. Their creations can be found all around the city - Elizabeth's pottery creations for the kitchens, and Mark's pottery furniture in living rooms near you. The Ashland couple runs their business, Cottage Industries, out of two studios behind their home. Elizabeth creates functional kitchen and tableware pottery, including everything that a kitchen could need - from mixing bowls, and colanders to flatware and mugs. Mark's studio is filled with slightly bigger pieces - furniture out of clay. "One day I was working on a sculpture and it evolved into a table. I somehow stumbled across this design that created a whole line of pottery furniture," he says with a hint of pride. Elizabeth has been selling her work for 15 years. She got started after she and Mark attended a pottery class Southern Oregon University together. "I loved the class so Mark got me a kick wheel for Valentines Day," Elizabeth says. "So I made about 12 bowls and took them to the SOU holiday craft fair. I sold out and after that I got an electric kiln and wheel." Now her pieces are sold at the Ashland bead shop, the Ashland Food Cooperative and the Willow Creek Garden and Gift shop in Phoenix. The Rouge Valley Roasting Company also uses all of her mugs and plates. The Schoenlebers also have booths at the SOU holiday craft fair and the Clay Folk show. They host two open studios a year, in December and June. "We officially host two open studios, but really, our studios are always open. If I'm working with my door open people just wander in and will sit and talk with me while I work, or stop by to pick up a gift," Elizabeth says. "We sell all of our things at reasonable prices because we like the idea of our work in people's hands. It's more important for people to be able to enjoy our things," Mark explains. Mark is an art teacher at the high school and gets to work in his studio at home on the weekends. "I love it when Mark and I get to work together," Elizabeth says. "The furniture that Mark creates is unique in many ways. His designs are one of a kind. They are beautiful and functional. The furniture is also very durable, and can be used as outdoor or indoor furniture." The Schoenlebers' home is an extension of their art. Tables that Mark has created stand beside the door and in different corners around the living room. A lamp done in similar style is set on a bureau next to a small clay statue that Mark created for Elizabeth. A large painting of a pear on a bright blue background hangs in the dining room; Mark's name is signed across the bottom. The dining room table is set with dishes that Elizabeth has created for her home. The pair takes obvious pride in each others' work, constantly interjecting stories and praise for their spouse's work. "Mark's tables are amazing, no one has ever done anything like it before him," Elizabeth interrupts at one point. Mark responds with stories of the countless people who will come up and tell him that they have done their entire kitchen with Eliza-beth's pottery. "For so many people, Elizabeth's art is a part of their everyday life," he says proudly. Mark and Elizabeth will have their work at the SOU holiday craft fair being held Dec. 6 and 7. "Come early - we sell out fast," Mark says with a smile. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Road Cams