Mud Season Goods is a tribute to the ways of the Vail Valley, and the underrepresented slow living that comes in between the busy periods. Johnny Weddle is the founder and artist behind this brand, creating tangible reminders to savor the ups and downs of life.

“There is this pressure to always be seeking and climbing in your work and personal life,” Weddle says. “Although that is motivating, it is also exhausting. And that is where I feel a strong connection to our mud season. It forces us to be still, and that is important to everybody, even if you do not know it.”

Photos courtesy of Johnny Weddle

SCULPTING STILLNESS

Weddle mirrors the ability to recharge during mud season while working with clay — mud — in the pottery studio. She explains that when she begins her craft, she feels 100% herself. Ceramics give Weddle the space to play — a chance to be limitless.

“Almost every potter I know talks about the studio as a time warp, and I feel that,” Weddle shares. “I think that is really special. To not turn your brain off, but to focus on what is in front of you. You cannot do anything else but be present.”

Weddle’s time in the studio began three years ago, when she was struggling to identify herself beyond her profession as a caretaker. Before she found ceramics, Weddle says, “[I was] struggling with who I was and who I wanted to be. I was just floating along.” She candidly shares that when her therapist asked her what is something she has always wanted to do, Weddle replied, “ceramics.”

And, like in Eagle County, with a valley inevitably comes a peak, and Weddle’s proceeding peak was pottery. After taking a few ceramics classes, Weddle felt ready to take on the studio solo. She emphasizes she is not a natural-born potter and works very hard at her creations. At first, Weddle was nervous to take on what she thought would be a hobby because she did not want to struggle. Weddle quickly learned “you have to sit with yourself, and there is no space for your inner critic to come out because you are so present.”

Mud season is a time for reflection and rest. “You cannot do this [reflect and rest] while you do something else because you cannot look away,” Weddle explains. “Every aspect is so mindful, and I appreciate that about this art.”

MINDFUL, MODERN WARES

Weddle passes on the gift of a quiet mind through her goods.

“I want people to use these mugs when they are sitting at home having a moment with their journal, with their kids, with their pet,” she says. “These are not meant to be taken on a run. They are made to savor the moment.”

Like mud season for the Vail Valley and ceramics for Weddle, Mud Season Goods reminds us that it is okay to slow down. All of Weddle’s creations are crisp and clean with a modern, yet bohemian charm. Every product is one-of-a-kind made solely by hand, pencil and masking tape in the Vail Valley. The prices range from $35-$60, depending on the size, amount of design, if it has a handle and amount of glaze used.

You can find Weddle’s signature circle design and more at mudseasongoods.com, on Instagram @mudseasongoods and at boutiques around the Valley.