The Owens Family of Potters

The Owens Family of potters dates back to the mid-19th century. Original Owens Pottery of Seagrove, NC was formed in 1938 by M.L. (Melvin Lee) Owens. His son, Boyd, later obtained the business. Boyd's sister, Nancy Owens Brewer, is the main potter there and together they produce functional dinnerware as well as the signature Owens Red that M.L. started in 1945. Janet's parents worked at Original Owens until 1973 when they moved to Blowing Rock, NC. Janet, at the young age of 5, would work on the wheel, help glaze, and assist in the Sales Cabin. She was inspired at a young age by her family and given encouragement by her grandmother, Marie.