SAN ANTONIO — Pots, pitchers and mugs cover the shelves at the beautiful Castroville Pottery. Each line, each color, representing a bit of the community's history.
"Very functional we want to have stuff that people can use all the time. Not just a pretty piece on a shelf," Store Manager, Michelle Jones said.
The idea of functionality is what helped owners, Tim and Gloria Kelley, start the small business 11 years ago.
"It started at their house actually. In their garage Tim actually started taking classes for pottery and really loved it," Jones said.
The couple creates and designs much of what you see on the shelves today.
"It's all just from here and it makes it real special instead of something people can just get off the store shelves," Jones said.
Each piece still handmade by their team of craftsmen.
Mark Dykes, a valued member of the team, has been throwing clay for over 30 years.
"It's part of who I am more than anything," potter, Mark Dykes said.
He joined Castroville Pottery to help keep production going after the Kelley's stepped away from the potter's wheel.
Dykes now helps Tim Kelley design the pieces they sell.
"We talk shapes," Dykes said. "It's a really nice team effort that we have."
Each piece is thrown by hand, then glazed and fired into works of art you can use every day.
"The best part about it is that even though we are very consistent in our throwing, everyone is a little different. You can tell they are handmade," Dykes said.