“I’m addicted,” he said, smiling and shrugging his shoulders. “It’s an addiction.”

Machulis explained that he doesn’t enjoy abstract pottery as much as some pottery enthusiasts. He explained that he likes textures, shapes, and colors — gravitating to nature-themed designs that often feature birds.

He explained that he grew up in an artistic family. Machulis said his father did lettering on ornaments for Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in multiple languages with a paintbrush until he lost movement in his hands. When his father had a stroke, Machulis explained that his father attempted to do lettering with the paintbrush in his mouth.

Machulis’ journey in pottery took him to Southern Utah University where he studied ceramics on a wrestling scholarship. Machulis said that he enjoyed athletics and art in school, but ended up making art his career.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Mugs and bowls that Machulis makes are seen stacked on a shelving unit in his home studio.

Machulis explained that he received a secondary degree in art education and moved to Alpena after college to teach art at the middle and high school levels. However, shortly after taking the teaching position, he was laid off and had to make money. Machulis said that is when he started selling pottery.

Though he said he enjoys making large, artistically complex pieces that feature carvings and other handmade details, “functional” and “utilitarian” pieces are his best sellers. He explained that those in the older generation in the area like to buy the functional pieces, whereas he believes the younger generations haven’t shown much interest in the art form yet.

“They are more into tech,” Machulis said.

Machulis explained that the market for pottery has changed over the years. He said in the 1970s artists could make a living selling pottery, while artists nowadays have a more difficult time breaking even. Machulis noted the “lead scare” as a factor he believes has made the pottery and ceramics market harder to navigate as consumers have misconceptions that all glazes include lead.

“I mix my own glazes … my glazes do not include lead,” Machulis said.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz A large teapot that Machulis crafted sits on the ground in his patio space.

Machulis also explained that because making pottery is time consuming, pricing is sometimes a challenge. He explained that larger pieces can take him several weeks to a month to make. Sometimes the finished product will only end up making him $10 to $15 an hour in profit. Therefore, his smaller-scale pieces are more economical.

“As soon as you get efficient, (your products) are cheaper,” Machulis said. “If I didn’t make a lot of (pieces), I’d starve.”

Despite the challenges, Machulis continues to make pottery, attending local art shows rather than traveling across the state as he did earlier in his pottery career. He said that he’s continued making pottery because he genuinely enjoys the medium.

Machulis noted he is attending Art on the Bay this year, to be held July 19 and 20 at Bay View Park. He also has his work available for sale at the Thunder Bay Arts Gallery in Alpena.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz A large vase is seen sitting on a glass coffee table at Machulis’ outdoor patio space.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Sam Machulis is seen standing next to “berry bowls” he is making for a client.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Machulis makes all his own glazes and tests out different colors in his home studio.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Mugs and bowls that Machulis makes are seen stacked on a shelving unit in his home studio.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Machulis is seen in his home studio showing The News current pieces he’s working on. Machulis said that he enjoys incorporating carving into his pottery.