In 1972 Josie Jurczenia graduated from The California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland (now the California College of Art) with a degree in textiles. She put her education to good use when she started Sweet Potatoes, a children's clothing company in 1978. With the help of two business partners the company grew and prospered. They supplied innovative, whimsical kids clothes to over 3,000 retail accounts across the country including Saks, Nordstroms, Bloomingdales and many high end children’s catalogues. Jurczenia won numerous industry awards for design.

Designing clothing, developing prints and running a company of over 100 employees was a joy but after 26 years she retired and began her new career ...Making pots. In 2007 Jurczenia founded fourth & clay in what was formerly the sewing room of Sweet Potatoes. She now shares the light filled studio and gallery with rae dunn and Christa Assad. Jurczenia’s pots reflect her textile background. They are darted, stitched and stenciled with textile patterns. Ribbon roses that once embellished party dresses have transformed into roses made of clay that create texture on her vases. Josie’s work is aconstantly changing exploration of the intersection of functionality and playful design.

see Josie's website
shop Josie's art work
read Josie's blog