Leather & PotteryMax + Kathy Whitley See what’s available →
Archive · 1973–2026

The record of two working lives.

Every piece stays here after it sells. Postcards, shows and stories are added as the family archive is scanned.

Working life
early 1970s
Max and Kathy meet at East Carolina University

Kathy studies art and interior design at ECU, graduating in 1971. They start selling at craft shows.

Max + Kathy
Being confirmed with the family
1973
A leather shop in Greenville

They open a leather shop in Greenville, North Carolina. The 2023 kiln opening card marks the 50th anniversary of Easy Street Leather & Pottery.

Max · leather
1989
Piney Woods Festival

The festival program lists Max Whitley showing leather belts, bags and wooden boxes.

Max · leather
Being confirmed with the family
1995
Home to Pink Hill

They move to the property outside Pink Hill where the studio and kiln are today.

Max + Kathy
Being confirmed with the family
2006
leatherandpottery.com

The studio goes online.

Max + Kathy
2009
The first Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale

The December open studio starts. By 2014 the card reads “6th Annual.”

Max + Kathy
Being confirmed with the family
2011
Written up in Nighthawk Notes

A long profile of their history and how they work. Carolina Arts publishes a photograph of Kathy’s work the same year.

Max + Kathy
2012–2016
Coastal Carolina Clay Guild

Kathy shows with the guild, including sales at the Cameron Art Museum and a 2016 guild exhibition at ECU’s School of Art and Design.

Kathy · pottery
2015
A workshop at Kathy’s clay studio

Kathy hosts a workshop at her studio in Pink Hill.

Kathy · pottery
2016
Hands On: Cowhide craftsmanship

A magazine feature on Max and his leather work.

Max · leather
2023
Fifty years of Easy Street

The 14th Kiln Opening celebrates the 50th anniversary of Easy Street Leather & Pottery.

Max + Kathy
2026
Fall firing and the new site

Albemarle Craftsmans Fair in October. Holiday Kiln Opening on December 12.

Max + Kathy
Written about · shown with
1989
UNCW Digital Collections — Piney Woods Festival program

Program states that leather belts and bags and wooden boxes would be shown by Max Whitley and Tom Wilson.

Historic festival program
2011
Nighthawk Notes — Craftsmen bring old world skills into the new millenium

Detailed profile of their history, craft practices, Greenville years, move to Pink Hill, leather process and pottery process.

Long-form profile
2011
Sandi's Out & About — IMAGES celebrates 35 years

Article explicitly captions a photo of Kathy Whitley admiring a metal sculpture at the prior year's IMAGES festival. Photos credited to Sandi Carroll.

Event photo
2011
Carolina Arts — November 2011 page 58

Published page includes a photographed ceramic vessel captioned 'Work by Kathy Whitley'.

Published work photo
2012
Carolina Clay Resource Directory — Coastal Carolina Clay Guild Spring Show & Sale

Archive page for a Cameron Art Museum guild sale includes 'Work by Kathy Whitley' among the featured pottery images.

Guild archive / work photo
2014
Carolina Arts — November 2014

Coastal Carolina Clay Guild coverage includes works by Kathy Whitley.

Published work photos
2015
Charlotte Munning Art — workshop at Kathy Whitley's Clay Studio

January 2015 post documents a workshop at Kathy Whitley's clay studio in Pink Hill.

Studio / workshop archive
2016
ECU School of Art and Design — Coastal Carolina Clay Guild Exhibition

ECU exhibition announcement lists Kathy Whitley among participating ECU alumni.

Institutional exhibition archive
Kiln opening postcards · 2014–2026

Every December, a new card.

17th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2026 PHOTO · 2026/08/26_Kiln_Opening.jpg
17th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2026
2026 · No. 17
16th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2025 PHOTO · 2025/09/Screen-Shot-2025-09-04-at-7.33.13-PM.png
16th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2025
2025 · No. 16
15th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2024 PHOTO · 2024/10/24_postcard-4.25inx6in_high_bleed-pdf.jpg
15th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2024
2024 · No. 15
14th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2023 PHOTO · 2023/09/postcard-4.25inx6in_high.jpg
14th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2023
2023 · No. 14 · 50 years of Easy Street
13th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2022 PHOTO · 2022/10/postcard-4.25inx6in_high-pdf.jpg
13th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2022
2022 · No. 13
12th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2021 PHOTO · 2021/09/21_postcard_Kiln_opening.jpg
12th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2021
2021 · No. 12
11th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2019 PHOTO · 2019/09/postcard-4.25inx6in_high-pdf.jpg
11th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2019
2019 · No. 11
10th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2018 PHOTO · 2018/09/be63b997-f548-4bb3-87ef-8fd56d35c5f3-1-main.jpg
10th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2018
2018 · No. 10
9th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2017 PHOTO · 2017/09/Kiln_opening_postcard_2017.png
9th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2017
2017 · No. 9
8th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2016 PHOTO · 2016/04/website_kilnopening.png
8th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2016
2016 · No. 8
7th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2015 PHOTO · 2015/04/Print_kiln_flyer_2015.jpg
7th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2015
2015 · No. 7
6th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2014 PHOTO · 2014/11/Print_kiln_flyer_2014_newsletter.jpg
6th Annual Kiln Opening & Holiday Sale, 2014
2014 · No. 6
Archive find · press · 2016

Hands On · Cowhide craftsmanship

A magazine feature on Max at his bench: a leather worker carrying on a handmade tradition.

Hands On · Cowhide craftsmanship PHOTO · 2016/04/20160417_104008.jpg
Hands On · Cowhide craftsmanship
Hands On · Cowhide craftsmanship PHOTO · 2016/04/20160417_104043.jpg
Hands On · Cowhide craftsmanship
Kiln note · 2018–2022

Inside the kiln

The gas kiln loaded for a firing, and Kathy sitting in it.

Inside the kiln PHOTO · 2022/12/IMG_0005.jpg
Inside the kiln
Inside the kiln PHOTO · 2022/12/IMG_9992.jpg
Inside the kiln
Inside the kiln PHOTO · 2018/11/kiln_2018.jpg
Inside the kiln
Inside the kiln PHOTO · 2013/04/DSC00768.jpg
Inside the kiln
From the road · 2012–2018

At the booth

Belts on the rack, pots on the shelves, lamps lit. Booth displays from the road.

At the booth PHOTO · 2013/04/display_2012.jpg
At the booth
At the booth PHOTO · 2013/04/display_2013.jpg
At the booth
At the booth PHOTO · 2016/02/display.jpg
At the booth
At the booth PHOTO · 2018/11/display_left.jpg
At the booth
At the booth PHOTO · 2018/11/display_kiki.jpg
At the booth
At the booth PHOTO · 2018/11/display_table.jpg
At the booth
At the booth PHOTO · 2013/04/DSC01550.jpg
At the booth
Archive find · 2013

The 2013 business card

Easy Street Leather Etc. and Kathy Whitley Pottery, 1712 Mary Tate Rd.

The 2013 business card PHOTO · 2013/04/KW_businesscard_2013.jpg
The 2013 business card
Object index · 44 pieces
Decorative Garden Vase, 2 piece PHOTO · 2016/02/vase_two_piece.jpg
Decorative Garden Vase, 2 piece
PIECE 0001 · vase Decorative Garden Vase, 2 piece Archive
Large Covered Jar with Wax Resist Leaf Pattern PHOTO · 2016/02/urn_wax_floral.jpg
Large Covered Jar with Wax Resist Leaf Pattern
PIECE 0002 · covered jar Large Covered Jar with Wax Resist Leaf Pattern Archive
Large Covered Vase with Mountain Landscape PHOTO · 2016/02/urn_mountain_scene.jpg
Large Covered Vase with Mountain Landscape
PIECE 0003 · vase Large Covered Vase with Mountain Landscape Archive
Small Covered Jar PHOTO · 2016/02/cover_jar_flower.jpg
Small Covered Jar
PIECE 0004 · covered jar Small Covered Jar Archive
Medium Covered Jar with Iris and Dragonfly PHOTO · 2016/02/coverd_jar_dragonfly.jpg
Medium Covered Jar with Iris and Dragonfly
PIECE 0005 · covered jar Medium Covered Jar with Iris and Dragonfly Archive
Mug PHOTO · 2016/02/mug_tree.jpg
Mug
PIECE 0006 · mug Mug Archive
Ring Jug PHOTO · 2016/02/ring_jug.jpg
Ring Jug
PIECE 0007 · jug Ring Jug Archive
Large Bowl PHOTO · 2016/02/bowl_wax_landscape.jpg
Large Bowl
PIECE 0008 · bowl Large Bowl Archive
Carved Bowl PHOTO · 2016/02/bowl_carved_trees.jpg
Carved Bowl
PIECE 0009 · bowl Carved Bowl Archive
Large Wide-Mouthed Bowl PHOTO · 2016/02/bowl_swirl_large.jpg
Large Wide-Mouthed Bowl
PIECE 0010 · bowl Large Wide-Mouthed Bowl Archive
Small Covered Jar, Dark PHOTO · 2013/04/Dark-Covered-Jar.jpg
Small Covered Jar, Dark
PIECE 0011 · covered jar Small Covered Jar, Dark Archive
Large Bowl, Landscape PHOTO · 2013/04/Bowl-with-Trees.jpg
Large Bowl, Landscape
PIECE 0012 · bowl Large Bowl, Landscape Archive
Nature Collection PHOTO · 2013/04/Large-Group.jpg
Nature Collection
PIECE 0013 · collection Nature Collection Archive
Goblets PHOTO · 2013/04/Group-of-Goblets.jpg
Goblets
PIECE 0014 · goblet Goblets Archive
Miniature Tea Set PHOTO · 2013/04/Miniature-Group.jpg
Miniature Tea Set
PIECE 0015 · tea set Miniature Tea Set Archive
Heron Plate PHOTO · 2013/04/Plate-with-Herron.jpg
Heron Plate
PIECE 0016 · plate Heron Plate Archive
Teapot PHOTO · 2018/11/teapot2018.jpg
Teapot
PIECE 0017 · teapot Teapot Archive
Wood Grain Belt and Buckle PHOTO · 2013/04/bel_woodgrain.jpg
Wood Grain Belt and Buckle
PIECE 0018 · belt Wood Grain Belt and Buckle Archive
Large Drawstring Bag PHOTO · 2016/02/drawstring_bag_teal.jpg
Large Drawstring Bag
PIECE 0019 · bag Large Drawstring Bag Archive
Textured Belts PHOTO · 2016/02/tooled_belts_02.jpg
Textured Belts
PIECE 0020 · belt Textured Belts Archive
Brown Turtle Bag PHOTO · 2016/02/turtle_bag_brown.jpg
Brown Turtle Bag
PIECE 0021 · bag Brown Turtle Bag Archive
Loop Belt PHOTO · 2016/02/loopbelt.jpg
Loop Belt
PIECE 0022 · belt Loop Belt Archive
Large Buckskin Bag PHOTO · 2013/04/bag_tan.jpg
Large Buckskin Bag
PIECE 0023 · bag Large Buckskin Bag Archive
Textured Belts II PHOTO · 2016/02/tooled_belts.jpg
Textured Belts II
PIECE 0024 · belt Textured Belts II Archive
Medium Soft Leather Bag PHOTO · 2016/02/drawstring_bag_green.jpg
Medium Soft Leather Bag
PIECE 0025 · bag Medium Soft Leather Bag Archive
Belt Textures PHOTO · 2013/04/belts_textures.jpg
Belt Textures
PIECE 0026 · belt Belt Textures Archive
Black Turtle Bag PHOTO · 2016/02/turtle_bag_black.jpg
Black Turtle Bag
PIECE 0027 · bag Black Turtle Bag Archive
Large Belts PHOTO · 2013/04/8_texture_belts.jpg
Large Belts
PIECE 0028 · belt Large Belts Archive
Face Vase PHOTO · 2013/07/Face-Vase.jpg
Face Vase
PIECE 0029 · vase Face Vase Archive
Face Pedestal Vase PHOTO · 2013/07/Face-Pedestal-Vase.jpg
Face Pedestal Vase
PIECE 0030 · vase Face Pedestal Vase Archive
Face Pedestal Bowl PHOTO · 2013/07/Face-Pedestal-Bowl.jpg
Face Pedestal Bowl
PIECE 0031 · bowl Face Pedestal Bowl Archive
Face Covered Jar PHOTO · 2013/07/Face-Covered-Jar.jpg
Face Covered Jar
PIECE 0032 · covered jar Face Covered Jar Archive
Teapot with Iris PHOTO · 2013/07/Teapot.jpg
Teapot with Iris
PIECE 0033 · teapot Teapot with Iris Archive
Tree Mug PHOTO · 2013/07/Tree-Mug.jpg
Tree Mug
PIECE 0034 · mug Tree Mug Archive
Seashell PHOTO · 2013/07/Seashell.jpg
Seashell
PIECE 0035 · sculpture Seashell Archive
Large Bowl with Tree PHOTO · 2013/04/DSC01214.jpg
Large Bowl with Tree
PIECE 0036 · bowl Large Bowl with Tree Archive
Bowl with White Tree PHOTO · 2013/04/DSC01487.jpg
Bowl with White Tree
PIECE 0037 · bowl Bowl with White Tree Archive
Mug with Faces PHOTO · 2013/04/DSC01223.jpg
Mug with Faces
PIECE 0038 · mug Mug with Faces Archive
Vase with Trees PHOTO · 2013/04/Vase-with-Trees.jpg
Vase with Trees
PIECE 0039 · vase Vase with Trees Archive
Large Turquoise Covered Jar PHOTO · 2013/04/Large-Turquoise-Covered-Jar.jpg
Large Turquoise Covered Jar
PIECE 0040 · covered jar Large Turquoise Covered Jar Archive
Plate with Fern PHOTO · 2013/04/Plate-with-Plant-Detail.jpg
Plate with Fern
PIECE 0041 · plate Plate with Fern Archive
Covered Jar PHOTO · 2013/04/covered_jar.jpg
Covered Jar
PIECE 0042 · covered jar Covered Jar Archive
Tree Tumblers PHOTO · 2013/04/tumbler.jpg
Tree Tumblers
PIECE 0043 · tumbler Tree Tumblers Archive
Palm Vase PHOTO · 2013/04/vase_palm.jpg
Palm Vase
PIECE 0044 · vase Palm Vase Archive