Two women turn a backyard hobby into a haven for creativity
- The Reston Letter Staff
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Ellyn Wexler, Staff Writer
It began simply—two successful professional women, each seeking a change of pace, each drawn to clay—and has grown into a quietly transformative studio now open to the community. Earlier this year, Reston neighbors and best friends Jennie Persson and Paola Lluberas turned a backyard hobby into something much bigger: Potters Union, a membership-based pottery studio built around creativity, connection, and calm.
Both women left established careers—Persson in international development, Lluberas in finance—to create a space where people could slow down, work with their hands, and find inspiration together. Their shared passion for clay evolved into a mission to build community through art.
“We’re not just stay-at-home moms,” Persson said. “We both were successful career women in corporations, traveling, working too many hours a day. We traded that for something we love and can grow—and still have time for our kids.” The business offers them the flexibility to handle administrative work when the children are asleep.
Lluberas, who moved to Reston in 2021, has two children; Persson, who arrived two years later, has one child and another due in December. Their paths to pottery began differently. Lluberas’ late husband gifted her a small pottery wheel and a set of tools, and she began “throwing” in her backyard. She soon invited Persson—who had done pottery years earlier—to join her. When they wanted to work indoors again, they discovered that local studios were full.
Then came a lightbulb moment: why not open their own? By mid-May, they had incorporated; by June 1, they had signed a lease. The real work began immediately. They tore out the former office layout, designed tables and shelving—the biggest challenge for any pottery studio—and renovated the kitchen.
The space itself was chosen with intention, Lluberas said. “Filled with greenery, natural light, and modern, organic design elements, the studio feels like an extension of home.” A lounge area and a balcony with a view of tall, leafy trees provide room to relax and exchange ideas. Their goal was not an industrial warehouse, like many studios, but a cozy, light-filled environment for creativity and connection.
They bought kilns, wheels, and tools—and learned by doing. “I had never seen a kiln before,” Persson admitted. Her advice to other women considering a big change: “Take the leap. You can learn literally anything.”
Potters Union operates much like a gym for clay. With 25 members (and one spot still open), it offers flexible tiers: full membership with open access six days a week or a smaller-shelf option for three days. Members receive discounts on classes and workshops.
The studio culture is designed to be open and welcoming. “Many studios require an audition, which can feel intimidating,” Persson said. “We say, ‘Bring your hands, bring your energy—you don’t need to be a professional.’” Neither founder calls herself artistic in the traditional sense, but both promise newcomers will “try it once and fall in love.”
Potters Union offers eight-week beginner and intermediate/advanced sessions led by six instructors with varied backgrounds. Classes cover hand-building, wheel-throwing, and glaze-mixing—where a little chemistry goes a long way. While the local community center’s pottery studio is available only by lottery, Potters Union offers steady access through membership.
They’ve already learned from their members—what clays people prefer, what techniques inspire them—and have even welcomed participants from Dubai and Japan, bringing global perspectives to the local clay community.
Potters Union is more than a hobby space. Research shows that working with clay reduces stress, builds focus, and fosters social connection. “With clay on your hands, you cannot check your phone,” Persson said. Lluberas added, “Find peace—your own sanctuary, a home away from home… and have so much fun.”
In a fast-moving world of screens and deadlines, Potters Union invites everyone to slow down, get their hands dirty, and shape something real—not just clay, but friendships, focus, and self-expression.
Persson and Lluberas already envision future locations, but for now they’re focused on refining this one, welcoming members, and becoming part of the area’s creative fabric.
As they like to remind newcomers: take the leap, learn something new, make space for yourself—and maybe walk out with a bowl you made and a sense of belonging you hadn’t expected.
Potters Union is located at 427B Carlisle Drive. Visit www.pottersunion.com/