Here is a list of our event instructors as well as an introduction for each. Every event is packed with talented teachers and inspired instruction! Read up on their skills, personality, and experience, and be sure to get your tickets ASAP! These are events you are not going to want to miss.
Go to the instructors of a particular event by the links below:
Essential Marketing Extravaganza | CeramaJam | Gail and Jackie Show
Essential Marketing Extravaganza Instructors:
Liz Geoghan
Liz is the Marketing Director for As You Wish Pottery’s 10 studio locations in Arizona, California, and Utah. Liz has found so much support and camaraderie in the PYOP industry and loves being able to share her passion with others. She enjoys helping studio owners and professionals create manageable social media strategies, leverage the power of email marketing, design digital ads, drive traffic to their website, and ultimately, increase sales. Before becoming the Marketing Director for As You Wish, Liz worked in the studio as a manager, and then as Custom Artist for several years. Although it was hard to put down the paintbrush, she continues to ooze creativity in all that she does. From playing her guitar or clarinet to cooking and baking for family and friends, her passion for making and creating persists. Join us at CJ for some of her marketing magic.
Ammie Williams
Ammie Williams is an artist, creative director, and teacher living in Atlanta, Georgia. Ammie holds a BFA in Art Education and absolutely loves teaching people to create something they didn’t think they could. She has spent the last 10 years figuring out PYOP tips and tricks and is obsessed with sharing what she’s learned with studio owners. When she’s not painting pottery or posting on Instagram (is she ever not?), she’s drinking coffee (until it’s time to drink martinis), reading, watching Food Network, or practicing lettering. Sometimes all of those at once.
Kathy Cano-Murillo
Kathy Cano-Murillo is an author, artist & founder of the award-winning brand, CraftyChica. She spreads the gospel of glitter – literally through her DIY projects and figuratively through her speeches, workshops, books, and essays. A former syndicated columnist for The Arizona Republic, she is now a full-time creativepreneur which has led to multiple Crafty Chica mass retail product lines, and collabs with Coca-Cola, HSN, HP, WordPress, Disney & many others. She has authored seven craft books, two novels, and recently, Forever Frida: A Celebration of the Life, Art, Loves, Words, and Style of Frida Kahlo. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and more. Kathy is Mexican-American, a native Phoenician, mom of two, a wifey, and owner of three Chihuahuas!
CeramaJam Instructors:
Crista Toler
Crista first entered the ceramics industry in 1997 when she opened her studio, Stroke of Genius, in Wilmington, NC. She went on to serve as CCSA President and Marketing Manager at Bisque Imports before joining the Mayco team as Studio Market Coordinator in 2013. Crista’s passion and varied experience - from studio owner to bisque supplier, to color manufacturer - give her a unique and well-rounded perspective on the ceramics industry and the challenges studio owners face. She believes in loving what you do and is so thankful to work in an industry that is chock-full of fun and creative people. Crista is so excited to be joining forces with the BI Crew again and return to CeramaJam, an event she helped to launch eleven years ago!
Bre Kathman
Bre has been in Ceramics for 15 years. Bre holds a master’s degree in Ceramics and an undergraduate degree in both Art & Education. She was previously the Education Specialist for Chesapeake Ceramics and has now joined the Mayco crew to work with studio owners, teachers, and potters. Working in a PYOP studio for the past 5 years has provided her with the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges studios face and brings that knowledge back to Mayco. Her favorite things to do in the studio are teaching customers new techniques and loading kilns. Bre is excited to attend CeramaJam this year and you should be too!
Aline Karpoyan
Aline Karpoyan is a long-time studio owner and artist of "Artcentric" Studio in Ca, which she founded in 1998. Aline started her business with kids art classes and pottery painting technique workshops and grew to include glass, mosaics, clay, and canvas...
In 2010 Aline was invited to join Colorobbia Art in Florence Italy allowing her to delve further into the world of ceramics by discovering new products, techniques, and fun tools. She gets to work with the master ceramists in Italy and is very hands-on in new product development, marketing and preparing lesson plans for the PYOP industry. Join Aline as she teaches a fun project using Colorobbia glazes.
Dean Saether
Dean is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Duncan Ceramics with over 35 years of experience in the ceramic industry. Having working within manufacturing, distribution and at retail studio level, he has seen it all and is a great source for industry knowledge. In his class, Dean will take you through the keys to successfully operating the heart of your studio - the kiln room.
Sara Kojaku
Sara Kojaku has been in love with art since forever. It is the most vivid part of her childhood, and she has a passion to share that with others. It has been her childhood dream to open up an art studio that would be that safe creative space everyone needs.
Sara has 15 years teaching experience. Having worked with all grade levels, preschool to high school, she truly has a teacher’s heart. Being able to use art to reach children and young people is something she considers a privilege and a blessing. Before that she studied photography in college and has been painting and doodling on everything else since before that.
Mom to one of the coolest kids around, she quit her full time job to pursue her dreams. Sara’s background includes photography and teaching elementary, junior high, and high school. She has a passion for teaching and helping people use their imaginations that is matched by her love for the PYOP industry.
Mike Harbridge
As king of brush strokes , stamps, and painting techniques, join Mike as he puts his decades of experience in the PYOP industry to work - for you. With his innovative technique and inspiring designs, you’ll acquire the drive to think outside the box. This creative and unique approach to fired arts will have your customers returning to your studio again and again for the latest ideas! Working with Royal and Langnickle, he brings us the latest and greatest tips just for you!
Kathy Cano-Murillo
Kathy Cano-Murillo is an author, artist & founder of the award-winning brand, CraftyChica. She spreads the gospel of glitter – literally through her DIY projects and figuratively through her speeches, workshops, books, and essays. A former syndicated columnist for The Arizona Republic, she is now a full-time creativepreneur which has led to multiple Crafty Chica mass retail product lines, and collabs with Coca-Cola, HSN, HP, WordPress, Disney & many others. She has authored seven craft books, two novels, and recently, Forever Frida: A Celebration of the Life, Art, Loves, Words, and Style of Frida Kahlo. She has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, and more. Kathy is Mexican-American, a native Phoenician, mom of two, a wifey, and owner of three Chihuahuas!
Ammie Williams
Ammie Williams is an artist, creative director, and teacher living in Atlanta, Georgia. Ammie holds a BFA in Art Education and absolutely loves teaching people to create something they didn’t think they could. She has spent the last 10 years figuring out PYOP tips and tricks and is obsessed with sharing what she’s learned with studio owners. When she’s not painting pottery or posting on Instagram (is she ever not?), she’s drinking coffee (until it’s time to drink martinis), reading, watching Food Network, or practicing lettering. Sometimes all of those at once.
Courtney Joyner
Courtney is the Owner and Creative Genius behind Brush Strokes Pottery - A mobile Paint Your Own Pottery Studio in Austin, TX. Growing up with an incredibly talented watercolor and abstract artist (her mother) she’s been inspired by art her entire life. With the launch of her business 13 years ago, she’s combined her long-time corporate marketing skills and her love of entrepreneurship into one project. Courtney is committed to bringing the joy of art and creativity to the world. Her heart smiles when she knows someone’s day is brighter because of their art experience. Connect with Courtney @brushstrokespottery or www.brushstrokespottery.com.
Lori Neff
Lori is the Co-Owner of As You Wish Pottery Painting Studios along with her husband Scott. As You Wish currently has 10 locations in 3 different states which keeps her very busy. As You Wish has been around since 1995. Lori has a background in Accounting and Human Resource and worked in this field for about 20 years before they purchased the company in 2007. With 3 kids and 2 dogs and a very busy business, she still finds time to golf and belongs to 2 book clubs. Her business class will give you some of the tools and information you need to succeed in your business and make the most of your valuable time!
Michaela Jaskowiak
Michaela is the Event Coordinator for As You Wish Pottery’s 10 studio locations in Arizona, California, and Utah. She plans and facilitates monthly events in all studios, helps build sales and marketing strategies, and has a strong passion for customer service and sales. Before becoming Event Coordinator at As You Wish, Michaela worked as a studio manager where the foundation of “service is selling & selling is service” was laid. With that foundation, Michaela went on to work at Journeys for 3 years where she continued to grow and develop in the areas of service, sales, and team management. After experiencing success with Journeys, Michaela was eager to bring her skills back to the creative industry, thus returning to work for As You Wish as the Event Coordinator in 2017. Since returning, Michaela has found a new passion in sharing her strategies for creating and implementing an effective sales culture with not only the managers at As You Wish, but also other studio owners and professionals. She stands by the saying of “community over competition”, and hopes to help others find their own way to win! When Michaela isn’t working you can find her tending to her very own urban jungle, which includes over 50 indoor plants! She also enjoys building and making just about anything, and makes the world’s best fresh pasta.
Gail & Jackie Show Instructors:
Gail & Jackie
This dynamic duo has owned All Fired Up Las Vegas since 1998. For the past 15 years, they have gradually transformed their studio to focus primarily on large scale events. Their large scale event program has gotten so big in their area that almost every student in the greater Las Vegas region has attended one of their events! Jackie has a natural talent for developing business partnerships and entertaining people, while Gail is a great resource for marketing and art ideas. Their combined talents give them a unique insight into the Paint Your Own Pottery world and how they can improve their business by developing meaningful relationships and thinking outside the box.
Order Tickets While You Can!
Each event has its own ticket and price. If you want to go to multiple events you will need to purchase tickets for each! The tickets are below to add to your cart! Have more questions about the event? Check out the details to make your plans now!
Marketing Extravaganza Tickets
Sunday, March 15th
CeramaJam Tickets
Monday, March 16th
Tuesday, March 17th
Gail & Jackie Tickets
Wednesday, March 18th
Please click here for our ticket cancellation policy.