Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Hawkins.
Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2014, my husband Scott suffered a brain aneurysm, and overnight my life changed. I left my career to become his full-time caregiver and suddenly needed a way to help support our family from home.
At the time, pottery was just a hobby. I wasn’t particularly skilled, but I had clay, a wheel and more courage than common sense. What started as a necessity slowly became a passion, and that passion grew into DaniJo Hawkins Pottery.
Today, every piece is handmade in my home studio, inspired by the landscapes I love most—Michigan’s Great Lakes, forests, rivers, and changing seasons. I create functional pottery because I love knowing that my work becomes part of everyday life: morning coffee rituals, family dinners, and moments shared around a table.
This business was built through trial and error, perseverance, and a lot of passion. What began as a way to survive became a career I truly love—and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road was far from easy. In the beginning, I spent my summers doing up to three art shows a week, loading and unloading pottery, traveling across Michigan, and meeting customers one conversation at a time. It was exhausting, but it allowed me to build a loyal customer base and grow my business from the ground up.
Like most small businesses, there have been plenty of setbacks, mistakes, and moments when I wondered if I could keep going. I’ve struggled with learning the business side of being an artist, inconsistent income, failed ideas, equipment breakdowns, rejected applications, and the constant challenge of balancing work with my role as Scott’s caregiver.
There were many times when I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure of what came next. But pottery taught me something important, not every piece works out, and that’s okay. You learn, adjust, and sit back down at the wheel.
Looking back, every challenge helped shape both my work and my business. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been meaningful, and I’m proud of what has grown from those hard beginnings
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create handmade functional pottery inspired by the landscapes, waters, and seasons of Michigan. While I make a variety of pieces, I am best known for my pottery mugs, which have become a signature part of my work. I love creating pieces that people use every day—morning coffee mugs, serving platters, bowls, and pieces that become part of family traditions and daily rituals.
Every piece is handmade in my home studio, either on the pottery wheel or built by hand. My work is heavily influenced by Michigan’s Great Lakes, forests, rivers, and natural textures. I am constantly inspired by the beauty that surrounds us and strive to bring a little of that connection to nature into each piece I create.
What I am most proud of is building this business from the ground up, slowly building a customer base one conversation and one mug at a time.
What sets me apart is that my business was built not only from creativity, but from necessity, perseverance, and a genuine love for connecting with people. My customers aren’t just purchasing pottery—they’re taking home a handmade piece with a story behind it. I am honored that my work has found its way into homes, cabins, breweries, distilleries, and kitchens across Michigan and beyond.
More than anything, I am proud that something born during one of the most difficult chapters of my life has grown into a career that supports my family, connects me with an incredible community, lets me give back to so many that helped us and allows me to create something meaningful every day.
What matters most to you?
I learned how quickly life can change and how important it is to focus on what truly matters. During that difficult time, our community showed up for us in incredible ways. Friends, family, and neighbors organized a fundraiser to help us through the financial challenges and even came together to build a wheelchair ramp for our home. Their kindness carried us through one of the hardest seasons of our lives.
Because of that experience, giving back is incredibly important to me. One of the things I am most grateful for is being able to donate pottery to fundraisers and charitable events throughout the year. It feels like a small way to pay forward the generosity that was shown to our family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danijohawkinspottery.com
- Instagram: danijohawkinspottery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CvLE95hRH/
