Michael
"Bugsy" Perdue was
born Nov. 11, 1971, in Banks County. He started turning pottery
in 1981, at the age of 10 years old. Michael is a third generation
potter, the son of J.H. Perdue, and grandson of Hugh Dorsey
Perdue. Michael started turning alongside his father at Sims
Pottery in Gillsville, GA. After 3 years, Michael began work
for the Hewell family's pottery shop. Michael worked for a
short time at Todd Hewell's studio, Crow Ridge, before returning
to the main Hewell shop. At the age of 20, he began his current
turning job at Craven’s Pottery in Gillsville. Growing
up, if Michael wasn’t at school, church, or deer hunting,
he was making pottery.
On August 30,
1997, Michael married Rachel McQuillian. They have one daughter,
Virginia Ann; born July 16, 1999.
By the
time Michael came along, his grandfather, Hugh, had stopped
making pottery. Hugh would pick him up from school each day
and take him to Rio Franklin’s store in Gillsville to
buy him a treat. His grandfather was known for making large
pieces, 5 and 6 gallon churns.
The person Michael
most looked up to was his father, J.H. Perdue, who passed
away in 2002. Michael remembers him as a hard working man.
He loved to make pottery and was good at making smaller things.
He loved carpentry work and most of all, his family. J.H.
was a patient man. Most people describe him as a “man’s
man”.
Mike
strives to do better every time he turns a piece. His goal
is to make each piece better than the last. “I just
love to make pottery.”, he says. Michael must have gotten
that from his father. His favorite piece to turn is a jug.
Michael now has a shop at his home at 529 Bell Road, Lula
GA, 30554, just off County Line Road.
Phone
Michael at 706-677-5287, for information.
Michael
"Bugsy" Perdue