Jennie Lorette Keatts was raised in New Hampshire, and graduated with a BA from the University of Colorado. She lived in Colorado until July 1999 working and traveling in the international tourism and hotel industry.   In 1996 she took a basic jewelry making class and began to do some very simple pieces using pottery and glaze drips for the shop at Jugtown Pottery, owned by her sister Pam Owens and husband Vernon. She also began to collect beads and to make necklaces designed exclusively for Jugtown Pottery using handmade pottery miniatures and beads created by Pam.   As life in the tourism industry grew more stressful and unfulfilling, she decided to give it up and move to Jugtown to pursue her dream of jewelry making. In July 1999 she quit her job and moved to the very creative and serene environment of Jugtown Pottery in Seagrove, NC, to pursue her dream of designing jewelry at Jugtown Pottery. She lives within walking distance of Jugtown with her husband, their two dogs and two cats!