“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Kathie Depew, Artist & Owner, Cotton Ridge Designs, LLC

My sincere desire is to allow Christ to live His life through me to bless others and bring glory to God in all aspects of my life, including through my company.

I grew up as an Air Force kid mostly in Southern California and northern Virginia.  I now live in a rather quiet suburban neighborhood just outside of the city of Huntsville, Alabama with my husband and daughter.  After earning a B.B.A. in Accounting from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, I worked professionally as an accountant and an analyst for 10 years in the Washington, DC area and in Huntsville, Alabama.

In 1999 I started Cotton Ridge Designs, LLC, an internet company selling dollhouse miniatures and collectibles.  Cotton Ridge Pottery was established in 2007 , and Cotton Ridge Create! and Cotton Ridge Books were established in 2011.

Cotton Ridge Create!

“Create: to evolve from one’s own thought or imagination, as a work of art or an invention.”  (from dictionary.com)

I have loved arts & crafts in many different mediums since I was a child.  My desire for Cotton Ridge Create! is for it to be a venue to share and exchange ideas and techniques with other artists and crafters.   Please visit the Join Us! page to be  a part of this growing online arts & crafts gallery and tutorial archive.

Cotton Ridge Miniatures & Collectibles

After making and collecting doll house scale miniatures for many years, I had the opportunity in 1999 to start my own home-based company.   There is something about holding a perfect (or almost perfect) scale reproduction in the palm of my hand…and if it something I made myself, even better!   I have also taught several classes in Chattanooga, Monteagle and Birmingham.   Many of these classes are offered on the Cotton Ridge Create!  site as free projects for you to try at home.

Cotton Ridge Miniatures & Collectibles offers well-made manufactured miniatures and handcrafted artist miniatures for customers who enjoy realism in their miniature scenes and doll houses.  Many different kits are offered for the do-it-yourselfer.  Porcelain tea sets, thimbles, and children’s dishes are also featured items.

Cotton Ridge Pottery

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”. Isaiah 64:8

After appreciating wheel-thrown pottery for many years, I had the opportunity in July 2006 to begin lessons.  The feel of the clay immediately captured my imagination, and I was hooked!  My friend Judy Cleve and I sold my first pottery at a craft show in December 2006, and the customer response encouraged me to continue.   While admiring some lovely glass pendants, the idea came to my mind of stoneware clay pendants, fired with the beautiful glazes used on pottery. Since that day, I have learned that artists have been making clay jewelry throughout history!  I am rather awed that we can continue this tradition through Cotton Ridge Pottery, adding our own ideas and imagination.

Cotton Ridge Pottery  offers moderately priced jewelry for customers who enjoy unique, handcrafted pieces.  We first introduced the pendants at a craft show in 2007, and were greatly encouraged by enthusiastic responses from customers and friends. Customers’ encouragement, orders from specialty shops and the opportunity to display my work in a local gallery all continue to sustain my eagerness to explore the endless possibilities in pendant design.

A tutorial is available on the Cotton Ridge Create! site on how to make kiln-fired pendants and buttons.

Affiliations

The Arts Council, Inc. – Huntsville, AL
Ascribing Artists
National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (N.A.M.E.)

Thank you for your visit!  Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.

Copyright 2011 Kathryn Depew

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