Nestled along the quiet banks of the Topisaw Creek in Summit, Mississippi, sits a small studio where clay, creativity, and faith come together in harmony. It’s here, at Creekside Pottery, that three generations of artists — Christy Nichols, Patricia Killingsworth, and Emily Nichols — turn clay into timeless works of art and connection.
Creekside Pottery’s story began long before Emily picked up the craft. Her mother-in-law, Christy Nichols, and her husband’s grandmother, Patricia Killingsworth, have been creating pottery for more than 30 years. One day, while the three of them were working together in the studio, they came up with the name “Creekside Pottery.”
“The name just flowed,” Emily laughs, describing how Creekside Pottery got its start. “We’re literally creekside! Our studio sits right on the banks of the Topisaw, and one day while we were working, we just penned it ‘Creekside Pottery’ — and it stuck.”
What began as a love for getting her hands in the mud has grown into a vibrant, community-minded studio where creativity is both celebrated and shared. During the summer months, Emily hosts art and nature kids’ camps and workshops, introducing children and adults alike to the joy of working with clay. “Our summer camps are one of my favorite weeks of the year,” she says. “I really look forward to them — there’s something special about watching someone create something for the first time.”
For Emily, pottery is deeply personal. “I hope when people hold or use one of my pieces, they feel something made with care — something that becomes part of their everyday life,” she says. In a world driven by speed and technology, her work offers a slow, tactile reminder of human connection. “We live in a world of AI,” she explains, “and handmade art carries a piece of the maker with it. It’s made with time and intention, and it connects you with people.”
That intentionality has also taught her patience. “Things just don’t make themselves overnight,” she says. “Each piece goes through so many steps before it’s finished — from throwing and trimming to firing and glazing. Waiting for the kiln to cool down is like waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve!”
Through the years, Emily has found that creativity only grows when exercised. “The more you use your creativity, the more creative you become. I’ve watched my own creativity expand over the years just by showing up and making.”
Some of Emily’s favorite memories come from pieces made alongside her husband, Scott. “When we first started dating, we made a few Raku bowls that are still some of my favorite things — those are inside my house,” she shares. “Every time I make something I think I’ll keep, someone falls in love with it, and I can’t help but let it go. Art is meant to be shared.”
Scott, she says, has been her greatest encourager. “He’s always pushed me to try bigger and bolder pieces, or to take the time to refine something a little more. My favorite days are when he joins me in the studio — truth be told, he’s actually the better potter!”
Art runs deep in their family. “His mom, Christy, and grandmother, Patricia, are both incredible artists,” Emily says. “We all work together at Creekside, and that makes it even more special. It’s more than just art — it’s family.”
For Emily, pottery is also spiritual. “When I’m in the studio, it’s one of the rare times in my life that it’s quiet and I can really talk to Jesus,” she says softly. “I’m constantly reminded of Isaiah 64:8, where it says He is the potter and we are the clay. I’m so grateful for the way He has shaped and molded my life. Working with clay is a constant reminder of His redemptive love.”
Though she loves making both decorative and functional pieces, it’s the stories behind them that mean the most. Her whimsical animal sculptures — alligators, bunnies, reindeer, and mice — are especially close to her heart. “The mice were inspired by our dear Miss Mattie, our children’s librarian who created ‘Scooter Mouse,’” Emily recalls. “She was such a huge part of my childhood and motherhood — one of the kindest, most encouraging people I’ve ever known. I love giving a mouse to kids who come into my booth to spread a little love.”
Her Raku pottery also holds a special place in her story. “Raku literally means ‘beauty in the accident,’” she explains. “No two pieces ever turn out the same. They’re shaped by fire, smoke, and the potter’s hand. It’s unpredictable — and that’s what makes it beautiful.”
Balancing her creative life with motherhood and family can be challenging, but Emily approaches it with grace. “It can consume you because you enjoy it so much,” she admits. “You have to set boundaries — decide, ‘I’m only going to be in the studio for this amount of time today,’ and then go home to be a present wife and mom.”
Through it all, she credits her local community for keeping her inspired. “Our community has been such a blessing from the very beginning,” she says. “They show up to events, share kind words, and encourage me in ways that remind me how God works through people to uplift and strengthen one another.”
For those thinking of picking up clay for the first time, Emily’s advice is simple: “Just do it — and don’t give up. It’s hard and it’s messy, but it’s worth it.”
In a world that often feels hurried and impersonal, Creekside Pottery stands as a small, steady reminder of the beauty of slowing down, getting your hands dirty, and letting yourself be shaped and molded, much like clay.
