Frank Koontz began making pottery in 1970 when he and two friends built a kick wheel from plans in Mother Earth News magazine. He now create wind chimes, mobiles, whimsical figurines, tiles, pots, bowls, and vases from stoneware clays. Frank mixes many of his own glazes. Since 2010, when he retired after 40 years as a newspaper and Purdue editor, Frank has done business as FJK Pottery. Much of his work is inspired by nature, and he loves the way clay can take an impression of a weed or a leaf. But the ideas for his whimsical figurines, which he named “Franksters,” burble up from his subconscious and have nothing to do with nature. Frank enjoys producing functional ware, but the only function of his chimes, mobiles and Franksters is to inspire joy.