Discover the remarkable journey of Haand, a visionary brand from Burlington, North Carolina that emerged in 2012 as the brainchild of lifelong friends Mark Warren and Chris Pence. Mark's artistic inclinations led him to explore ceramics and slip casting under the tutelage of Tom Spleth during his college years. His passion for art took him to the prestigious Penland School of Crafts, where he honed his skills across various mediums and drew inspiration from the talented mentors and craftspeople of the Blue Ridge Mountains community.
Meanwhile, Chris, a potter since his high school days, pursued a path in business and accounting while nurturing his love for pottery. Although he found himself working for a corporate accounting firm, his heart remained devoted to the craft.
In 2012, the stars aligned as Chris made the courageous decision to depart from corporate accounting while Mark completed his transformative Penland Fellowship. They seized the opportunity to combine their talents and passion, giving birth to Haand. In its infancy, Haand operated out of a humble, waterless farmhouse with unpredictable electricity. Mark and Chris tirelessly hustled at gift shows and craft fairs, vying for contracts to manufacture unique and niche products. Every sale was a hard-fought victory that kept them afloat during those challenging times.
Today, Haand employs a talented staff of 20 and thrives within the walls of a historic 13,000 square foot former hosiery mill in downtown Burlington, NC. Their evolution is a testament to the resilience and sacrifices made by its early and current employees. Together, they have transformed a shared dream into a thriving reality.
