Beginning as a hobby for local resident Marjorie Hawthorne, making pottery has become a job she has come to love. Work isn't supposed to be fun... or is it?

Leave it to Marjorie Hawthorne and you may get an answer different from the general consensus.

Working in the construction business for more than 27 years installing ceramic tile, she had become quite comfortable with the life she was living, figuring that one day she would retire from the profession.

Time can change things, and in Hawthorne's case it only took the sale of a piece of pottery.

"I took a beginner's class and kept it as a hobby for years," Hawthorne said. "I accumulated a few boxes of pots which I stored in the shed. But when my sister-inlaw wanted to see them and actually bought some of my pottery, it inspired me to make more and to really sell them."

Believing it is never too late to have a change of heart, she turned in her construction belt for a seat in front of a potter's wheel.

Dozens of cups, plates, bowls and other pottery items now sit on shelves and inside cabinets at her home. But Hawthorne gets more of a kick out of the hundreds not in her kitchen — whether it be the ones in galleries across the state or in the homes of customers.

"It's basically people giving you a pat on the back," Hawthorne said. "It feels good."

The Cherokee County woman, along with her two horses, three dogs and seven cats, will welcome visitors to their Gowdyesville Road home this weekend, offering the opportunity to view and buy pieces of Hawthorne's work.

"With pottery there is so much room for creativity and no end to where you can go with it," Hawthorne said. "You start with a pile of mud and make beautiful works of art. All are unique and one of a kind."

Hawthorne never believed she would pursue a career as an artisan, keeping her love for the potter's wheel locked in the closet as a weekend hobby. However, the support of family and friends pushed her to make a bold decision, one most would be too scared to make.

"My husband talked me into quitting my day job installing ceramic tile and to take pottery seriously," Hawthorne said. "As I saw how much I loved doing this and was proud of my work, it became an easy decision."

Hawthorne had a studio added to her home, which for 11 months out of the year is a place for the potter's vision to become a reality.

No part of the year is as busy in her line of work as Christmas time, when everyone is looking for the perfect gift. With pottery, she believes you can't go wrong.

"Mothers always need something to use in the kitchen, or you can never have enough dishes," Hawthorne said. "Most of the pieces are truly functional and usable being dishwashersafe, microwave-usable and oven-proof, having already been fired up to 2,000 degrees during the production phase."

In a year where consumers are watching their wallets, Hawthorne said her products are a good buy, quality items for a great price.

"Most of my items average at or under $20," Hawthorne said. "With so much talk about keeping business at home, this is one of those types of deals."

She will also have paintings available during the sale.

The pottery/art sale will be held Dec. 6 and 7. For more information, call Hawthorne at 490-3141.