King’s Home residents find fulfillment in making pottery
Published 4:12 pm Wednesday, January 6, 2016
July through December was a busy season for Prodigal Pottery as Ankenbrandt and her crew rushed to fill orders before Christmas.
The program launched its Etsy site in August and made about 300 sales by November.
Items currently offered include personalized mugs, bowls, ornaments, magnets, platters, nativities, soap and ring dishes and herb markers, which sell extremely well in the spring, Ankenbrandt said.
Prodigal Pottery will debut its new line of ceramic jewelry before Mother’s Day this year.
“You know God has got his hand on it for it to prosper so quickly,” Grady said. “It’s amazing how fast it’s grown.”
Ankenbrandt tries to tailor the program to fit the needs of her employees, whose artistic abilities vary, by creating simple designs that don’t require extensive “artistic talent.” She focuses on the program’s purpose, which is to help women coming from negative circumstances gain independence and self-confidence in a safe, encouraging work environment.
“The last thing they need is to be discouraged,” Ankenbrandt said. “I don’t want this place to ever be discouraging or frustrating to them.”
The women are also establishing financial stability as the home instructs them to save 75 percent of what they make.
Prodigal Pottery is located at 221 King’s Home Drive in Chelsea. The showroom is open Monday–Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I call it my happy place,” Reiber said. “Some of (the pieces) don’t turn out perfect, but it’s all handcrafted. I leave it in God’s hand. I love it.”