Hi, I’m Janet - potter, teacher, and lover of muddy hands and salty air.

I’m Janet, the potter behind Dirt to Dishes, a small pottery studio nestled in an 18th century barn in the historic seaside town of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada.

I work with both wheel thrown and handbuilding techniques and create pottery inspired by coastal living, helping people enjoy the simple beauty of handmade things meant to be used and loved. From mugs that fit just right in your hand to plates and bowls made for family meals, every piece tells a story. There might be a texture made by a crocheted piece my grandmother made over 100 years ago. It might be a memory of a trip to the beach and using a discovered shell to make a design on a platter. Which will be the piece that calls to you?

The barn itself was bult in 1783 and was originally used as a sail loft. Today it’s where I spend my days shaping “Dirt” into “Dishes”. Most days I look around my beautiful studio, stop and smell the salty air and a quiet joy comes over me marvelling at my good fortune to get to live such a life. My hope is that some of that joy spills over into each pottery piece I make, passing it on to those who stop to visit.

The Old Barn On Ann Street

Tucked along the Shelburne waterfront, this historic barn was built in 1783 as a sail loft when boats ruled the seas and where shipbuilders once crafted vessels by hand. Over the centuries it has served many purposes - from boat building to housing cattle. (The births of new calves are literally written on the walls!) Today, the barn has been lovingly restored as a one of a kind event space. With its original beams, weathered wood, and harbour proximity, the barn now hosts artisan markets each Spring and Christmas, intimate weddings, concerts and community gatherings. Steeped in character and maritime history, it offers a warm, rustic backdrop for meaningful moments by the sea.