How faith helped this Elkins potter find solid ground.
written by PAYTON MANDELL
photos courtesy of DENISE HECKEL
DENISE HECKEL, OWNER OF STUDIO D POTTERY & JEWELRY, has been making pottery for over a decade—until she wasn’t.
About two years ago, Heckel experienced some shoulder pain, then woke up paralyzed from the waist down. Despite weeks of physical therapy and immediate spine surgery, doctors weren’t sure if she’d ever walk—let alone craft—again.
Heckel says she put her trust in God, and by miracle, her mobility increased over time. “I had a lot of peace about it. I just straight relied on God. 100 percent, I’m going to get back to pottery,” she says.
She is still uncertain of the cause of the paralysis, but now, Heckel is more dedicated than ever to perfecting her art and making her creations worth remembering. “I want my pottery to be almost like an heirloom,” she says. “I want it to be in someone’s china cabinet, and they want their grandkids to want it.”
Heckel is known for her Santa gnomes but also specializes in bowls, and plates, and jewelry dishes. She loves using bright colors in her pieces, and she designs for herself, knowing the right customer will come along and give her creations the perfect home.
As an artist for Tamarack Marketplace, she designs her pieces for juried expeditions every year and is currently working on pieces for upcoming Christmas galleries. You can also find her work at Ella & Company in Thomas and on her Facebook page.
While Heckel isn’t operating at the pace she was before, she says she continues to work to express creative freedom and give back to loyal customers. “Getting back to normal is part of your recovery. There was never a thought in my process that I’m just gonna hang it up and sit in the house all day. That’s just not who I am,” she says. “I love my work, and I love my art.” “Studio D Pottery & Jewelry” on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S FALL 2025 ISSUE
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