First Friday Oct. 7 – Motorcycle Mania
Dog on a Hog by Rich Kolb
Downtown Lakeland’s Motorcycle Mania event in February was so successful that’s is back for First Friday 6-10pm! Vendors far and wide have responded to our call. About 80 motorcycle groups and related vendors will fill Kentucky Avenue and Main Street. Bay and Pine Streets will be prime motorcycle parking. (Parking tips below)
Kentucky artist Rich Kolb in his own words “creates new friends out of old odds and ends.” He makes imaginative animal art pieces using scrap metal, hardware bits and castoff tools. Dog on a Hog, pictured above outside Brooke Pottery, is one of the larger sculptures that the shop carries. We also have wine caddies, napkin holders, salt and pepper shakers, desktop critters and garden sculptures. Rich Kolb’s humorous menagerie of Yardbirds, Junkyard Cats and Dogs is a hit with customers looking for unusual gifts.
Enjoy various music groups along the streets including SOUTHBOUND at the corner of N. Kentucky Ave. & Bay Street. As always, Classic Cars will be displayed on Tennessee Street at Munn Park. Because of the many vendors, Downtown streets affected will be closed at 4pm. Find ample parking in the Main Street garage, Oak Street lot and along Tennessee south of Main, Kentucky south of Orange Street. Whether you ride or not, October 7th should be an exciting First Friday. There’s so much fun and activity planned that hours are extended ’til 10pm!
New Arrivals from Beatriz Ball Metalware
We are thrilled to have Beatriz Ball back in stock. These heirloom quality serving pieces go from freezer to oven for easy and stylish entertaining. Made of 100% recycled aluminum, Beatriz Ball Fine Metalware will not tarnish or lose its shine. New arrivals at Brooke Pottery include the Soho square and rectangular cutting boards and the wavy Vento cracker and dip tray. All three of these pieces have beautiful black marble cutting board insets. The 17″ Garden Hibiscus Platter (below, center) makes a spectacular centerpiece – simply arrange fruit and crudites in the five petals for a colorful presentation.
Beatriz Ball began collaborating with skilled metal artisans near Mexico City in 1991. Artist statement: Our pieces are entirely handmade, one at a time, using the ancient art of sandcasting: pouring a premium quality of molten aluminum into sand mold, then going through four levels of polishing. More than twelve different sets of hands are involved in the creation of each piece, and the results of this intensive handmade process is a piece with a depth of character, warmth and personality that communicates in a way that only a handmade piece can. In a world of mass production, handmade is the true luxury.
• Made of eco-friendly, 100% recycled aluminum
• Easy care, never tarnish
• Chill or warm foods up to 350 degrees
• To prevent stains, do not store food or leave in standing water for long periods of time
• As with any metal, do not cut on surface
•Hand wash only using soap and warm water; towel dry
• For shine pick up, we recommend Maas Metal Polish; for deeper cleaning, try Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish
Come see Brooke Pottery’s new selection of Beatriz Ball Metalware!
Dog Days of Summer at Brooke Pottery
New Junkyard Dog garden sculptures, wine caddies, and napkins holders by Rich Kolb of Yardbirds take center stage at Brooke Pottery this week for Downtown’s First Friday theme Dog Days of Summer. Register for the Pooch Parade here.
Yardbirds are handcrafted by Rich Kolb in Kentucky. Rich and his father created the first yardbird in 1991 while talking about and tinkering with scrap materials. Yardbirds were an instant hit! Today the Yardbirds menagerie is filled with hundreds of birds, cats, dogs and critters to decorate your home and garden. As an artist, Rich maintains a tradition of creating exciting new designs. He says, “The things in life that bring us the most joy are those which are fun and unexpected, not the mere necessities. I believe we can all benefit from a little more whimsy in our lives!” We agree whole-heartedly. Brooke Pottery has carried Yardbirds and Junkyard Dogs & Cats for more than 10 years, yet we continue to be surprised and delighted by new arrivals.
Also on First Friday, Florida artist Sharon’s Glass will be in the shop with pet-inspired glass jewelry. You may have admired Sharon’s spectacular stained glass windows depicting swans, flowers and aquatic scenes; Friday is your opportunity to meet Sharon and learn more about her work. And for kids who have yet to enter our holiday ornament contest , draw your design in the shop or pick up a form. Not only might your art be selected as our 2010 Holiday Ornament but the top 3 designers will be awarded savings bonds! Deadline is August 13.
Not a dog lover? Then check out the Junkyard Cats and Clippy Crawlies. Some of our new favorites are the skateboarding frogs, pincher crab and scorpion.
Junkyard Cats
Skateboarding Frogs,$44
Clippy Crawlie Crab,$32
Clippy Crawlie Scorpion,$49
Pewter and Glass Wall Sculptures by Leandra Drumm
