Our Story

Jon Colburn received his Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education with a Minor in Sculpture from Montana State University.  He has been teaching in the public school system for over 20 years, and he currently heads up the ceramics program and is the Art Department Chair at North Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC.  While Jon has always enjoyed drawing, working with watercolor and wood block printing, his passion lies in pottery.  

Chenoa Colburn was initially introduced to ceramics while taking classes in college at James Madison University in Virginia.  Once she moved to North Carolina, she furthered her interest and skill at Clayworks in Charlotte. When she and Jon met and married, their shared passion led them to create Faded Earth Pottery.  

Jon throws the forms on the wheel while Chenoa focuses on glazing all of their pieces.  They have participated as vendors in arts and crafts shows around North and South Carolina since 2014. They firmly believe that the items you surround yourself with in your home should bring you joy.  Therefore, they create handmade, wheel thrown, functional and beautiful pieces of pottery that are meant to be used daily as well as enjoyed aesthetically.  Pieces such as coffee mugs, pitchers, chip and dip sets, bakers, pie plates, serving platters and bowls, utensil holders, spoon rests and much more are all food, microwave, dishwasher and oven safe.  Jon and Chenoa also lead local week-long summer pottery camps for children ages 8-14.  They create out of their home studio, where they live with their 5 children, 2 dogs and 1 cat.