Rick Hamelin, of Pied Potter Hamelin, has been making pottery since 1976 and became committed to learning about the historical redware potters after learning of the Colonial and Early American industries that existed in his native Central Massachusetts.

Pied Potter Hamelin can be taken linguistically apart and understood as a “colorful potter from a small town”. Pied means multicolored, potter is the trade, Hamelin translates into “one from a small town”.

The redware pottery is hand-thrown on the wheel and after a drying period, the wares are bisqued. Following bisquing, they are covered with a lead-free glaze, of Rick’s own formulation, and fired again. An antiquing finish is applied to the unglazed surfaces as a final step.

Rick has taught and worked in museums and is currently, demonstrating and lecturing throughout Massachusetts.