Where Cozy Meets Clay.

The Cozy Bookwyrm was founded in January of 2025 in the South Front District of Wilmington, NC by Ashley Merklinger, owner of the Bookworm Pottery & Co. studio. In the pursuit of creating a cozy “third space” for the community, Cozy was born to provide a safe place for folks looking to unwind and find a bit of peace in their day.

Ashley was born and raised near Holden Beach, NC, and graduated from UNCW in 2019 with a degree in Professional Writing and a minor in Studio Art. She discovered the joys of clay in 2017 and has endeavored to share her love for the medium with as many people as she can ever since. Her original space, Bookworm Pottery & Co., offers fun, beginner-friendly pottery classes to help people learn how to create with clay, whereas her newer studio, The Cozy Bookwyrm, offers a variety of offerings.

From pottery painting to creative workshops, our hope is that you have the coziest time with us. Thank you so much for being here and for being you <3

A woman with tattoos on her left arm sitting on a wooden bench outdoors during daytime. She is wearing a brown T-shirt that reads "The future is inclusive," light gray cargo pants, and black sandals. She is holding a green cup in her right hand and looking to her left with a smile. Tall grass and shrubs are in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman with dark hair, smiling, holding up a ceramic plate with a blue and green spiral design. There are plants and artwork in the background.

Meet Our Cozy Team

Ashley Merklinger (Owner)

A woman smiling and holding a mug with a tropical design, sitting at a table inside a room with a door open to the patio.

Gabby DeFeo (Manager & Instructor)

A smiling woman wearing a green baseball cap and a gray T-shirt with a pocket. The cap has text that says 'Thank you for being you' and a logo' The woman has light complexion, blue eyes, and a long braid over her shoulder. She is standing indoors with greenery and a white wall or art piece in the background.

Kayla Kinsey (Studio Assistant)

A woman with long brown hair, blue eyes, and tattoos, holding a ceramic cup with a crackled glaze design, standing indoors with green plants and a blurred background.

Alyssa Vokes (Studio Assistant & Instructor)

A young woman with curly hair and glasses smiling outdoors, wearing a sleeveless shirt with a rainbow-colored donut graphic and text, and a necklace, in a bright, green, garden-like setting.

Haili Turner (Studio Assistant)

A young woman with wavy blonde hair and brown eyes smiling, wearing a blue and white striped shirt and a gold necklace, with a blurred green outdoor background.

Amber Merklinger (Studio Assistant)

A woman with long wavy hair and tattoos on her arm holding a ceramic vase with a textured surface outdoors, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
A smiling woman with red hair holding a potted plant with green leaves, standing indoors with a green wall art in the background.

Alexis Mintz (Instructor)

Jamie Lohr (Instructor)

Join Our Team!

Interested in joining the Cozy Crew? Have a bright personality and a passion for pottery? Then send us an email with your resume and interest to thecozybookwyrm@gmail.com! While we aren’t currently hiring, positions open every now and again, and we save all applications.