Background information on Laura Kreidler:

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in June of 1956

Only potter in her family, although different members of her family enjoy different creative outlets such as weaving and writing

Her parents and an elementary art teacher sparked her interest in art

Started taking art classes on the weekends at an art center when she was seven years old

Took first pottery class was when she was around ten years old

First ceramic works were not created on a pottery wheel, which is her favorite method now

During her teenage years, she and her father built a potter's wheel so that she could work on pottery at any time, which provided an outlet from normal teenage stresses

Took some art courses in college, but decided to major in occupational therapy so she had a reliable career when she graduated

Eventually moved to New York City, where she took more ceramics courses and even taught her own pottery classes

Moved to Ithaca in 1983 where she immediately set up a studio with two friends, Rachel and David, who are still her colleagues today

Taught classes with her colleagues in Ithaca. This opportunity helped her recognize that she could realistically become a potter, which is what she knew she would rather be doing

Transition between being an occupational therapist and becoming a potter was gradual; by 1986 she had stopped doing occupational therapy completely

Is now a full time potter who enjoys making her living by her own schedule