Karen Misseldine began creating pottery in the early 1980’s while at Adrian College in Michigan where she graduated with a double-major in sociology/human services and art. She later received her Masters Degree in Art Therapy at Vermont College of Norwich University. After graduation, Karen’s pottery-making sat on the shelf until 2001 when she and her family moved to Decorah, Iowa. Karen soon realized after putting her hands to the wheel again, that creating pottery is a part of who she is, and no amount of time can take it away from her.
Karen creates everyday-functional pottery that is microwave, oven and dishwasher safe. She is known for her dinnerware sets, butter keeper, jewelry pot, berry bowl (strains berries), and many other practical items like mugs, bowls and platters. Each piece is one of a kind and almost all of the pieces are inspired by Karen’s love for nature with their warm fall and jewel-toned colors and occasional leaf prints.
Karen’s pottery is available through the Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour and upon request. She does commission work and shows her pottery by appointment. At Karen’s studio you will enjoy seeing a wide-variety of her pottery pieces and the process of creating them as well as taking in the beautiful tree-covered hillside view from her deck.
Karen has been on the tour since 2003, which was her first professional show. She now participates in the Bluff Country Tour and holds a private Holiday Show in her home. Karen is a member of the Iowa Art Therapy Association and American Art Therapy Association. While attending Adrian College she received the Outstanding Senior Art Award.
Although Karen loves pottery making it does come second to her passion for art therapy. Karen thoroughly enjoys the interaction with people she has while doing art therapy. In Decorah she is best-known for her pottery-making, but in the surrounding communities she is becoming more well-known for her giftedness in art therapy. She travels many miles each week to work with elderly and disabled individuals through art therapy.