Before opening Ceramics N More, Willie Jackson served in the United States Air Force for 20 years.

For most of that time, Jackson served in parts of Asia, where she learned to work with ceramics. After her service concluded, Jackson worked at Dell for 10 years before deciding in 2006 to open her own ceramics studio.

“After 10 years, I gave up on corporate life,” she said. “I used to do ceramics when I was in Asia and decided that was something I could do here.”

She first opened Ceramics N More in Pflugerville, then relocated to Cedar Park and several years later returned to the original location in downtown Pflugerville.

Jackson describes Ceramics N More as a “paint-your-own-pottery studio" that carries a variety of premade ceramic pieces, from practical items like cups and bowls to more decorative items like ornaments and sculptures.

Customers choose a piece they like, then use Ceramics N More’s supply of glazes to paint their chosen piece. The ceramic is then fired in a kiln to set the colors, after which the customer can return to pick up their completed piece.

Jackson said one of the things she enjoys most about working with ceramics is its ability to facilitate communication and connection between people while they work.

“People can have conversations with each other and talk and laugh and share ideas with each other,” Jackson said. “It’s a sense of calm in the midst of a very stressful environment.”

While painting ceramics is the most popular service the business provides, customers at the studio can also work with fused glass or try their hand at using a pottery wheel to make their own pieces.

Additionally, Ceramics N More holds frequent themed workshops and events, including an upcoming Christmas tree painting party on Nov. 6. Though the store closes to the public at 6 p.m. most days, the time afterward is reserved for things like private birthday parties and team-building events.

No matter the occasion, Jackson said she helps customers bring their vision to life and encourages them to be creative and unconventional in their work.

“That’s the part where your imagination gets to come out and shine and let you be you, because now you’ve painted something the way you want to see the world and not what the world wants you to see,” Jackson said. “I think that’s pretty cool.”