Our Lives In Clay

Ingrid Gardebring King is the founder and co-owner of Stone Leaf Pottery. Her interest in art has been a life long passion.  As a child her favorite activity was drawing; paper and a pencil were favorite toys.  Her freshman year at the University of North Dakota was her first exposure to pottery making, and it was love at first poke.  Over the ensuing (almost) 4 decades in clay her focus has encompassed glaze and clay formulation, sculpture, clay lamination work (also called neriage), table top fountains, tile making, sculpted and carved tiles, press molding, throwing, and writing. A large segment of her work is a canvas for decorative glaze work.   She is a Certified Duncan Ceramic Teacher and has taught at two Regionals and two international conventions for Duncanπs IADCCT organization. Ingridπs work has been featured in newspapers, local and national television programs. Teaching art and pottery in a variety of settings from grades 3 to high school, and now in her family owned studio in Arvada, Colorado continues to be a tremendous source of joy for her. 

Sophia Kingsley, business and supply manager as well as part owner of Stone Leaf, also teaches. She is a self described ≥clay brat.≤ Growing up alongside a mother who worked as a potter makes it difficult to quantify her years of experience in clay. Sophia is a certified Duncan Ceramics Instructor. Her focus in clay is primarily with hand building and glaze work. Sophia is a patient and encouraging teacher. Sophia and her mom, Ingrid King, together produce Stone Leaf Pottery functional dinnerware. Sophia is ably assisted by Riley, Greeter of the Jack Russell variety, who has super dog-powers of cuteness.

Emily Bloomfield, teacher, began working with clay in college in Virginia in the 1980πs. She has been involved with Stone Leaf Pottery since before its first commercial location in 1999, and began teaching with Stone Leaf Pottery in 2001. Her love in pottery is hand built whimsical dinnerware, sculpture, beads, and table top fountains. She disavows all knowledge of throwing (despite her academic experience with it in college). Emily is a master of making beaded jewelry, and frequently makes amazing detailed and delicate centerpieces for her beaded jewelry out of clay. She is a delightful and supportive teacher with a quixotic sense of humor.

Lori Warner, teacher, began her involvement with Stone Leaf before itπs shift to a commercial location, making very large and complex table top fountains. Her interest in clay sprang from her desire to bring balance to her clientsπ needs as a Feng Shui and Reiki Master. She began teaching for Stone Leaf in 2002. Her work is quiet, elegant, attentive to detail and balance, and frequently shows Oriental influence. She teaches hand building. A dynamic and interesting teacher, Lori really encourages her students to explore new ideas.

Sabina Stansberry, teacher, has been a potter since her early days at the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1998. She has been teaching at Stone Leaf Pottery since 2004. Her work reflects her love of color and form. Sabina teaches both hand building and beginning throwing; she makes fabulous Celtic design incised and carved tiles. Sabina encourages students to pursue their ideas and try new directions. Sabina is at times accompanied by Max, Part Time Tuesday Night Greeter and Studio Companion, her very sweet step-dog.

*Sabinaπs Tuesday night class is currently the only regularly scheduled Stone Leaf class that accommodates student adults with student children. Minor students must be accompanied by their adult at all times.

Peri Charlifu, a full time production thrower with over 30 years of experience, is our Wednesday afternoon throwing instructor. He has a fast and efficient orientation to his throwing accompanied by a wealth of technical expertise in hand building, sculpture, and glaze technique. He is known for his delicate banded porcelain work, often with carved script of runes, elfish, Greek, and Hebrew.

Gita Cornell, teacher, began her affiliation with Stone Leaf as an apprentice through a high school work experience program. At the close of the program she became a teacherπs aid in the Tuesday night class. Gitaπs primary interest in clay is throwing, but does enjoy creating sculpture designed to make the view take a closer look at an alternative viewpoint. Gita is currently working on a teaching degree at Metro University.

Peggy Rasmussen, a substitute teacher, has studied and worked with a variety of clay folk for more than 30 years. We were so lucky to entice her to teach with us. Peggy provides enthusiasm, encouragement, and a very relaxed approach to her teaching. Peggyπs pottery frequently shows an appreciation for color and texture in design, and often portrays joyful observation of human and mermaid lives. Peggy teaches throwing and handbuilding.

Kylle Been, our volunteer Chief Clay Scrap Processor and Pugologist, brings positive intention to her thrown altar pieces, produced with much peaceful Buddhist chi. Kylle is frequently assisted by Aster, Greeter of Mixed Parentage with possible Greyhound and Golden Retriever, who has super speed running abilities and is very friendly.