Ferrell Craven was a journeyman potter from North Carolina who came from a long line of traditional potters. His grandfather, J. D. Craven, was active in the second half of the 1800’s and renowned for his salt-glazed stoneware. Ferrell’s father, Daniel Z. Craven, began with the tradition of salt-glazed utilitarian pottery but eventually made the transition to art pottery.

Ferrell Craven ran his own pottery with his brother Charlie in Steeds, NC. He also worked for a number of potters during his career including Smithfield Art Pottery, Royal Crown Pottery, Joe Owens’s Glenn Art Pottery, Ben Owens’s Old Plank Road Pottery, and Teagues Pottery.