But, I should really say…that it all happened because of someone’s mistake. Someone I don’t even know. In 1988, I was a Biology Major living in Houston Texas with my husband, and five little children. My husband and I were really home sick…so, we packed up and moved back home to Massachusetts. I registered for classes right away, and couldn’t wait to start. A week before my classes were to begin, I received a phone call from the University, telling me that there had been a mistake, that someone forgot to put me in the biology department, and now it was closed. The person went on to say…that I could wait for next semester or change my major…temporarily of course. Well, I wasn’t about to wait…so I told her that I would change my major. She then told me that there was only one department open…Art History. So, I met with my adviser, who happened to be the Chairperson of the Art History Department, and she convinced me to take her class…so I did. As I was getting ready to leave class, that first day, my Art History Professor came up to me, and asked me...if I would like to work for her. Of course I said yes! I ended up not only working for my Art History Professor, but for the Dean of Visual and Performing Arts as well. I loved it! Being exposed to the Art Faculty made me, re-think what it was I really wanted to do. After driving my husband crazy for the next six months, I finally came to a decision. We ended up going back to Texas in 1990, because of my husband’s job, and when we did…I registered for some art classes, including a pottery class; that’s where my journey began. I did end up changing my major again, but not back to Biology. I changed it to Fine Art Ceramics, and I never looked back. I wish I knew who that person was…I’d like to say thanks!

The Story behind the Name

October 26, 2000 was a day I will never forget, even though I'd like too. It was a day that changed my life and not for the better, although maybe it has and I just hadn't realized it until now. When I woke up that morning, little did I know my life was about to change. It started out just like any other day. I had thrown some mugs, then cleaned up and got ready for my chiropractors appointment. I had been going to a chiropractor for years, so it wasn’t a big deal…so I thought. But something happened while he was working on me. For several "LONG" minutes I COULDN’T MOVE! I remember thinking…that I might not ever walk again, but after almost an hour with ice on my back, I was able to walk out of the chiropractor’s office…but not like I had walked in, and I was in excruciating PAIN! A few weeks later, I found out that my chiropractor had herniated my disc…between L3 and L4. I wasn’t able to have surgery because of the position of the herniated disc…it was pressing on my spine. So I went for physical therapy and while going through that, I developed another problem. Seven months later I did have surgery. But not on my back. So not only did I still have to deal with my back problems, I had to recover from major surgery too. I never did get a chance to finish those mugs…never got to put the handles on them, or get to glaze them, or fire them…they ended up in the trash. Then about a year later, I was diagnosed with “Fibromyalgia.” Unfortunately all pottery production stopped. While I was recuperating from my back injury and my health problems…I was totally bored! It drove me nuts, not to be able to do something creative. I must admit, that there were days when I was very depressed. It's difficult living with chronic pain. Then one day I had an idea, I'm not sure where it came from, especailly since english was not my favorite subject in school. I would have never thought in a million years that I would actually be doing this, but I did…I started to write a book. A book called Raven Hill…and that’s where I got my shop name. I absolutely fell in love with that name and wanted to use it not only for my book, but for my pottery shop as well. I haven’t finished my book yet…because when I had the chance to make pottery again, the book took a back seat, especially once I opened my etsy shop. But thanks to pinterest, my book started coming to life again. I'm hoping to finish it soon. So now I have a second passion...writing!

If you'd like to see some sneak peeks, meet some characters and see inspiration boards, check out my writing blog - http://www.melindamariealexander.com and check out my storyboard - https://www.pinterest.com/MMAlexander15/storyboard-raven-hill/ and https://www.pinterest.com/MMAlexander15/

My Work

Most of my work is inspired by nature; however...everything around me tends to inspire me. Memories of playing on the beach as a child, looking out my window, at all the trees, ravens that perch on my birdbath, shapes, colors, and even smells. My designs are constantly changing, like the weather...because of my need to make something different. I hope you like them, as much as I enjoy making them.