“I was the worst, but I got better,” he said.

Now creating pottery is his career.

Raised in a military family that moved frequently within the United States as well as abroad Gaskin’s father settled in Warren. Gaskin performs a rap that encompasses all the places he’s lived.

When you get the opportunity to meet him in person, ask to hear it. For his family to be in closer proximity to his father, the Gaskins made the move to Sheffield from the suburbs of Huston, Texas in 2021. Unable to find employment in the sales arena in which he had always worked, he began creating pottery in his home studio. Thus began Gnomeworks.

Newly made mugs placed into the kiln for firing.

Why the name Gnomeworks? “I’ve always been into gnomes since college,” said Gaskin. “They’re goofy and fun” further explaining that the small leftover bits of clay from bigger projects made “lovely gnomes”.

Launched in January 2022, Gnomeworks set up outdoors during Clarendon’s Winterfest. “For a Texas boy that was COLD!” Gaskin laughed.

Gnomeworks was a success. “It’s all about the shows,” says Gaskin of his family’s business.

Arts and crafts shows are the bread and butter of Gnomeworks and they like to keep it local. Preparing for a show is not a small task. A lengthy checklist hangs in the studio of pottery made, being made or needing to be made. Pointing to a table of seasonal pottery Gaskin says, “All of those will be sold out the first day.”

Gaskin’s son, Parker, assists with set up at the shows. Though a wide variety of extraordinary pottery is crafted in the Gnomeworks studio their primary focus is on making “the best mugs”.

Callie Gaskin glazes the inside of mugs after their first firing in the 1950 degree kiln.

Gnomeworks makes their own clay, dubbed “Four Mile Clay” from local soil sourced by Gaskin and his son from the Four Mile Creek that runs through Sheffield. Using roughly 500 pounds of clay in the studio each month Gaskin spends about four hours daily at his potter’s wheel. He works another four hours each day embellishing his pottery with pictures and artwork.

Gaskin’s wife, Christy, lends an artistic hand to Gnomeworks pottery as well. Custom mugs for businesses and customers as well as wholesale can be created. Created from food safe materials and glazes and kiln fired to a temperature of 2,230 degrees all pieces of Gnomeworks pottery are microwave and dishwasher safe.

If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at throwing pottery, hand building with clay or painting already made clay projects, Gnomeworks offers affordable monthly classes throughout the “cold season.” Play in the Clay class days and times can be found on Gnomeworks Facebook page.

Gnomeworks will be on hand at the Busti Apple Festival both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Wheel demonstrations featuring “big pottery” will be provided by Gaskin every hour on both days of the festival. If you’re looking for an autumnal road trip you can find Gnomeworks at the Genesee Valley Vendors & Craft Event Oct. 11 and 12 in Mount Morris, N.Y.

Gnomeworks pottery can be purchased at local retailers such as the Arbor Coffee House & Tea Room, ASM Klondike Store on route 59 and the Scandia Store. Gnomeworks shop in Sheffield is open by appointment only via Facebook messenger. Like and follow them on Facebook. Speaking Facebook, Currently at 929 followers Gaskin has promised to throw a piece of pottery using 60 pounds of clay when he reaches 1000. Let’s make that happen.

Dave Gaskin at the potters wheel in the Gnomeworks studio.

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