Hidden Gems: Meet Kaylee Eichholz of Community Mud

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylee Eichholz.

Hi Kaylee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started pottery back in 2019 at the Westminster Rec Center and was instantly hooked. Fast forward to 2022, my spouse and I moved to Parker, eager to find a studio and keep the pottery dream alive. We were disappointed to find that there weren’t really any studios nearby.
Seeing how bummed I was about putting this newfound passion on hold, my spouse, Ben, built a pottery studio in our basement. I kept creating on my own, but something was missing. Sharing stories with a new friend at a neighboring wheel, commiserating when a wobbly creation takes a nosedive, or brainstorming glaze combinations with someone who’s experimented with them all – that’s the magic I craved again. So we made this space for potters in Parker. Our mission is to make pottery approachable for beginners and possible for enthusiasts by curating an environment that encourages creativity and connection.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a straight path. This idea actually “died” about four different times before we ever opened our doors. Commercial space in this area is high-demand and well outside what we could afford at first. Eventually, we found a small business for sale we could purchase and were able to take over their lease—after a long back-and-forth with a landlord who was convinced a pottery studio wouldn’t survive. That kept the dream alive, but then we ran into electrical issues bringing the service up to the level needed for pottery equipment, which delayed our opening by another four months. Somewhere in there we even had a baby flood during build-out (which felt very on-brand for our luck at the time). Ultimately, we had to take out an additional loan to make it to opening day, but we made it! Now we have 70 studio members, host four classes per week run by our incredible team of instructors, offer pottery date nights, and get to use our studio to benefit not only our members and students, but also our local community.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Community Mud is built on creativity, connection, and a good dose of clay-covered joy. We offer multiple membership tiers, classes, member workshops, and fun events like “Sip n’ Spin,” but what truly sets us apart is the community-driven, welcoming atmosphere.

We’re known for being a space where beginners feel at home, experienced potters can grow their craft, and everyone is encouraged to play, explore, and celebrate each other’s wins. Our brand is warm, inclusive, and rooted in the belief that pottery is more meaningful (and more fun) when done together.

At the end of the day, we’re not just a studio, we’re a creative home where people come to get messy, make something they’re proud of, and feel like they belong.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that chasing something big shouldn’t mean putting life on pause. When you’re building something, it’s easy to justify skipping time with friends, turning down a weekend away, or never letting yourself have a peaceful afternoon at home. But those moments are what keep you grounded and energized. Finding balance isn’t a luxury, it’s what keeps you motivated to keep going.

Pricing:

• Studio Memberships $95-$260
• Multi-Week Classes $220-350
• Pottery Nights $80-120
• Private Events

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.communitymud.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communitymud/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communitymudparker/

Image Credits
Photos by Kaylee Eichholz and Jackie Zoeller