Jeff Oestreich began his pottery training in 1965 at Bemidji State University in northern Minnesota. He later studied at the University of Minnesota with Warren MacKenzie. Upon graduation Jeff moved to England to apprentice for two years with Bernard Leach at the Leach Pottery in St. Ives, Cornwall.

Upon returning to the US in 1971, Jeff  set up his pottery in rural Wisconsin, later relocating to Minnesota. He exhibits and conducts workshops nationally and internationally. He is a recent  recipient of a McKnight Foundation grant as well as a  Jerome Foundation grant allowing him to exhibit and teach in England, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand and Australia.