Raised on her grandparents' dairy farm in north-central Pennsylvania, Lori Mader cherished moments of riding horses with her mother and collecting rocks, bark, and dirt. Holiday visits to her father, residing near the Hudson River by the Adirondack Park in New York, further enriched her collection of natural treasures.

In 1987, Lori tied the knot with her husband, Tim, and by 1990, they had established their home in Massachusetts.

Lori's affinity for clay took root during her tenure at the University of South Carolina. Continuing her artistic journey, she pursued studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and actively participated in clay classes and workshops at the Worcester Center for Crafts. It was at this center that her passion for clay converged with the wood kiln, becoming a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution.

Since 2004, Lori has contributed as an instructor at the Worcester Center for Crafts and remains deeply engaged in juried arts festivals spanning southern New England, New York, and Pennsylvania.