WHO AM I
I am a potter, entrepreneur, adventurer, videographer, photographer, father, and husband….just to name a few.
STORY
After studying abroad in India for 4 months in 2009, I began my pottery adventures in 2010 when I took my first wheel throwing class at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, MN. As the only non-art major in the class the odds of success were slim, but by the end of the class I had thrown more work than the rest of the class combined.
I combined my passion for handmade pottery and my entrepreneurship skills to purchase the coffeeshop Mocha Monkey in 2011, at the ripe age of 21. Since then, Mocha Monkey has grown from 1 store and 18 employees to 3 locations, and over 50 employees. Mocha Monkey (voted the best coffeehouse in Minnesota) uses and sells all handmade Jon Schmidt pottery. Since a solo cross country road trip in 2017, I have spent most of my time honing my pottery business, being a husband and father to our 18 month old son, and seeking out the next adventure.
STUDIO
From 2013 to 2018 I have been working out of the studio I constructed in the basement of Mocha Monkey. The configuration worked for awhile but the amount of pottery I was making was too much for this tiny space.
In the summer of 2019 we finished constructing a new, completly custom, pottery studio still located in Waconia, Minnesota. The new space allows for a significantly larger working space, more kilns, as well as a fun and sunny enviroment to film my YouTube videos. Moving foreward I would like to focus on being more eco-friendly with my practice; such as solar powered pottery!
INSPIRATION
- a spirit of adventure, love for growth, and constant experimentation
- the natural world around us
- celebrating imperfections, handmade creations, and unique discoveries
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
I started the Youtube channel “Jonthepotter” in February of 2018 as a way to share my love of pottery and handmade ceramics. In just 10 months we amassed over 10,000 subscribers and continue to grow rapidly. I have also become passionate about video-making, photography, and sharing a love of my life and incorporating handmade items into lives everywhere. Please consider subscribing to the channel to get a sneak peak into my creative process, family adventures, and my many hobbies!
PATREON PAGE
Patreon is a way to support me financially! If you love the videos and love what we are doing and want to support the cause head over to the Patreon page!
HOW TO BUY JON SCHMIDT POTTERY
There is always Jon Schmidt pottery on the shelves of Mocha Monkey in Waconia and St. Boni, MN.
If you can’t make it Minnesota:
We also do occasional Etsy Restocks in the Etsy Shop.
Stay tuned to the Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Patreon pages to be notified when we are planning our next Etsy Restock. Things have sold out quickly in the past so make sure you are ready! Becoming a Patron on Patreon is an great way to recieve pottery as well!
We will do custom orders and commissions if the project sounds like fun! Inquire at jschmidt.mm@gmail.com