Member Directory
Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi Members
Search our Member Directory by name or medium (Metal, Ceramics, Glass, Mixed Media, Wood, Fiber). Or, scroll down the page to browse our Members.
About Us
We are makers on a mission to preserve and promote, educate and encourage, the highest standard of excellence in regional crafts.
The work of our Members reflects a high degree of competence, professional standards, and artistry in their medium and category. Eligibility is determined by a jury review process which takes place twice each year.
Lynda Williams
Lynda Williams
Bay Minette, AL
Metal
Jewelry
Guild member since 2013
A multi-talented craftsman and a historian, in addition to jewelry-making, Lynda has studied and worked with weaving, pottery, metal, casting, and sculpture. Lynda’s enamel jewelry is inspired by her knowledge and love of plants. Lynda says that enameling is “such a surprise every time the piece is removed from the kiln. There is something truly magical about enameling and the sense of anticipation as each piece emerges to take on new color.” Her work was selected for the White House Christmas tree in 2001, and her bas-relief sculptures of historic building can be seen throughout Arkansas.
Sharon Williams
Sharon Williams
Coldwater, MS
Fiber
Weaving
Guild member since 1986
Sharon is a weaver of handwoven clothing. Through the use of color, texture, and fabric manipulation, she brings the simple straight forward lines of traditional garments such as the Hopi wrap, ruana or vest into the contemporary realm. The stole is no longer a plain piece of cloth, but an elegant creation to drape the female form. Sharon selects all of her yarns, weaves all of her own fabrics, and constructs each garment. The hand finishing is also done by her hand. Once she sews in her label, anyone who buys her handwoven garment will know that she would not sell any piece that she would not personally be proud to wear herself.
Ashley Williamson
Ashley Williamson
Ashley started making beaded jewelry in 2022 and quickly fell in love with the art of crafting unique, handmade pieces. What began as a creative hobby has grown into a passion for designing jewelry that blends style, personality, and craftsmanship. Each piece she creates is made with attention to detail and a love for color, texture, and design.
Brandon, MS
Glass
Member since 2023
Johnny Wilson
Johnny Wilson
Crystal Springs, MS
Wood
Spoons/Bowls
Guild member since 2010
“Nugget” Wilson’s journey into designing a spoon or other kitchen utensils begins with a unique piece of wood. All decisions made concerning the shape and size are determined with the first feel of the wood. He uses the ‘leftovers,’ the bits and pieces, and the ‘nuggets’ that the carpenter can no longer use. He uses the burls and wild grain patterns that are not appropriate for what the cabinetmaker needs. His signature is the curved and crooked handles made to comfortably fit the cook’s hand.
William Wood
William Wood
Each floral design is completely handcrafted from copper and tin.The entire flower is constructed by cutting, forming and shaping from each of the flower’s parts by hand and then carefully soidering each part together to insure a lasting bond. Nothing is used in constructing the flower that is not as permanent as the metal itself (such as the baked molding compound that is used to construct the berries and buds) Every single part is prepared with the lasting durability in mind.
Once the complete flower is fashioned from the metal, three coats of base metal paint are then applied to prevent any exposure of the metal ever to air or moisture. Then multiple layers of special base paint is applied to each part for color. Every attempt is made with the last layers of color to produce a flower as close as possible to the natural color. The length of this process requires several weeks of preparation.
Yerger Andre
Yerger Andre
Abbeville, MS
Clay
Ceramics
Guild member since 1997
While studying philosophy at the University of Mississippi, Yerger developed an interest in pottery which led him to a scholarship at prestigious Penland and apprenticeships with several master potters. He continued his exploration of pottery by working with a crafts cooperative in Papua, New Guinea, while serving with the U.S. Peace Corps. For his unique and beautiful pottery pieces, he formulates and mixes his own crystalline glazes, and all his food ware is microwave and dishwasher safe. Yerger has taught workshops throughout the South and at John C. Campbell Folk School.
Andy Young
Andy Young
Jackson, Mississippi
Glass
Guild member since 1979 Fellow since 1998
Andy Young, fresh out of LSU, founded Pearl River Glass Studio with the dream of transforming stained glassing an expressive art form. Starting in a one-car garage in downtown Jackson, MS, Andy embarked on a journey that would shape the studio’s legacy. The studio was later moved to the Midtown Arts District in 1976 where it is currently located.
As Pearl River Glass Studio approaches its 50th anniversary, they continue to remain committed to pushing the boundaries of stained glass artistry while honoring their rich history. Their dedication to innovation, education, and community continues to inspire and shape the future of glass art.
Janet Akers
Janet Akers
Bend, OR
Clay / Ceramics: Guild member since 1999
Mixed Media / Sculpture: Guild member since 2008
Janet’s art work is primarily sculptural, in clay and mixed-media. She finds that working with a variety of materials provides a challenge for her and adds interest to the final piece. Besides clay, she has used metal, wood, handmade paper, fabric, stone, glass, concrete, and dried plant materials. The subject of her work varies according to what catches her fancy, but there are few themes that she returns to often. Much of it is inspired by nature, both plants and animals. Horses are a frequent subject. Other influences are architecture and women’s issues. She is a member of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, the Louisiana Crafts Guild, the Vicksburg Art Association, and the Mississippi State Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Elaine Maisel
Ridgeland, MS
Feathers
Surface Design
Guild member since 2012
Elaine says she paints on feathers because she likes how the shape, size, and specific demands of feathers challenges her creatively, focusing her attention on detailed, mindful, miniature work. Like watercolor, there is little room for error. Once the brush touches the feather, it cannot be erased. The feathers she uses are responsibly sourced from small family farms, parrot owners, and local turkey hunters. Through her craft and work as a teaching artist for the Mississippi Arts Commission, she enjoys being able to bring together the subjects of nature, conservation, the sciences, and art.
Eryn McCarthy
Eryn McCarthy
Jackson, MS
Clay
Pottery
Guild member since 2019
Pottery is deeply integrated in Eryn’s life. Handmade brings the soul back down to earth and to our ancestors in a way no other art form can. Eryn says that when she began learning ceramics, she had no intention other than to fill a time slot in her college freshman schedule, but she quickly I fell in love with it. Eryn remembers sitting in her uncle’s pottery studio, watching him work, and she credits him as being the greatest influence on her work. She is inspired by the earth around her, and she emulates natural textures and colors in her surface designs.
Joanne M. McMullen
Greenwell Springs, LA
Metal
Jewelry
Guild member since 2008
Joanne has been designing and creating one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories since 2000. She constructs unique works of wearable art and sculptured wire pieces using precious metals, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, gemstones, and glass beads. She incorporates crocheting with wire, free-form wire working, and other beading techniques to fashion jewelry that will be treasured by the wearer as original and distinctly artistic pieces. Her work has been featured in magazines and in newspapers and exhibited at Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge, the LSU Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, and the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Nebraska.