The Humor of Nolan Windholtz
We’ll follow up our post about new gifts for kids with one about gifts for adult kids. One of our favorite Florida potters paid us a visit recently. We always enjoy visiting with Nolan Windholtz and seeing what he’s been working on lately. This time Nolan brought us an extra large version of his Naughty Cat Vase titled “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil”. Isn’t that the truth?! This amusing art vase says it all about our real-life cats who act entirely innocent and oblivious to the mischief they cause. We bet many of you have just such a fine feline in your home : – )
Left: Hear No Evil Kitty on the Naughty Cats Vase
If you’re a dog lover, then Top Dog may be more to your liking. He’s got it all under control…..smart phone in one hand and cat in the other. Thank you, Nolan, for bringing us the laughs!
Head over to the shop if you’d like to browse more of Nolan’s truly unique raku art pottery.
Spring Gifts Inspired By Nature
We are no strangers to the beautiful woodland pottery of Maud Boleman, yet several new pieces of her work in the shop have us smiling in wonder. Maud’s creations enchant with their realistic bark textures, branch-shaped handles, deep river blue glazes and charming ladybug and leaf decorations. The new Acorn Covered Casserole, above left, is a masterpiece in our eyes. The handled is cleverly disguised as an oak leaf. Also pictured are the 11″ Cheese Tray with Vine Handle, center, and the Flower Mug with Ladybug. Each of these gorgeous handmade pottery pieces is a work of art that you will want to keep out on display.
Maud Boleman holds a BA in Art Education and a MS in Psychology. She taught for over 10 years at Nova Southeastern University. She is currently a studio potter and gallery owner at Black Mountain Studios with Austin Boleman. “Since moving to the mountains of Western North Carolina she has tried to incorporate the look of the mountains in her work. Her technique and style have developed into a synthesis of the rustic and the refined, with form and function playing an intriguing duet.”
About Black Mountain Studios:
We do not consider art to be some obscure, esoteric pursuit that is practiced by the extremely “gifted” and understood by few. Art is the work of our minds and hands, is the result of the creative process, and we are all creative. How you carve a piece of wood, dig a trench, fold your laundry, form a rock into a functional piece, or, yes, shape a spinning ball of clay all involve the creative process. The purpose of the work that we do at Black Mountain Studios is quite simple: it is to make objects that are pleasing to the eye and the hand, to make things of beauty, be they utilitarian or not. If you look at one of our pieces and have a little bit of your breath taken away, or hold it in your hands or lift it to your mouth, and it feels good, it feels right, then we have achieved our goal. -Austin and Maud Boleman
Friday Night Spotlight: Follette Pottery
You may recall that we caught up with Kent and Libby Follette in Orlando last month at the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE). Of course we ordered lots of their terrific pottery; it’s one of the longest-running collections at Brooke Pottery. Please join us tomorrow night as we show off those new arrivals from Follette with a Friday Night Spotlight 6-9pm. We’ll demo the Three Minute Cake Mug’s microwaveable cake recipe for customers. Move over hot chocolate…give us cake! Other shops on Kentucky are also open late on Friday Nights. Be sure to visit the Black Swan Bazaar and Traditions Unlimited, too.
brie bakers
chicken baker
kami cake mug
The Follete’s home, studio and showroom are located in the piney hills of North Louisiana. Life revolves around good cooking, entertaining and making wonderful pottery. All Follette Pottery is dishwasher, oven and microwave safe. Baking and serving pieces come with recipes from Kent and Libby, which adds an extra personal touch for gift-giving. Bourbon baked brie, Ruston Peach Cobbler, Ice Cream Bread and Beer Can Chicken…..the list goes on.
Chamberlain Pottery is new to our Online Shop
We are happy to finally share Chamberlain Pottery via our online shop. For out-of-towners, we offer shipping by UPS ground. If you’re local, feel free to shop online and choose free pick-up at the store. Gift wrapping is free with either option. 
Tom Chamberlain got his start with clay back in 1974, when the craft movemant was starting to take off and everyone was in the “hippie” or “back to land” mode. Tom taught himself to throw, glaze, and fire a gas kiln. Perfecting the art/craft of clay over 35 years, Tom and his wife Denise have produced a distinct collection of American stoneware. Each and every pot their Florida studio makes is creative, fun, beautiful, and functional – all in one.
Chamberlain is one of our best-selling potters. The large collection of baking dishes, kitchen accessories and dinnerware makes it a great choice for collecting over the years. There’s always something new to add. Tom and Denise include their own recipes for a special touch – a perfect idea for pottery that is often selected as gifts. Customers love the imaginative nautical-themed dishes in particular. Dolphin trays, Grouper Platters, Lighthouse Bakers, Crab Serving Bowls, and Spade Fish Quiche Bakers make distinctive Florida gifts. Most items are available in six colors of glaze. We can special order the color of your choice if we do not have it in stock. Just fill out the inquiry form below and we’ll be in touch.
Raku Cats Have Arrived!
Once again the shop is full of delightful Raku cat sculptures. If there’s anyone who captures feline grace and mischeviousness to a T, it’s Mary Gates Dewey. Here’s a sneek peak of the newly arrived cats. Don’t you just love the cat in the box?! We plan to add this new work to the Brooke Pottery online shop in the next week or two, but if you want the pick of the litter, call us or come in soon. These cuties go fast! To read more about Mary Gates Dewey, see this post.
Return of the Raku Fish – Hooray!
We are so happy to once again offer the fabulous hanging raku fish! As some of you may know, the artist responsible for the fish, Risk Ellsworth, has retired (boo!). But Mr. Ellsworth has trained a new artist in his technique for making the fish (hooray!). The new artist is Madd Mud Pottery. Isn’t that a perfect name for the maker of these kooky fish?
We’ve been quite sad while these fish have been missing from the store, as they have such personality and quirkiness. Each fish has a different expression on its face, and it’s always a joy to uncover each one as we pull it out of its shipping box. We usually try to match each fish with one of our relatives. (“Oh, this one looks just like so-and-so!” Um, please don’t tell so-and-so I said that.)
If you’ve missed out on getting a fish that looks just like one of your relatives, or if you just want to put a smile on your face, please come on down to the store. I’m sure we have a fish for you!
The Cats are Back! New arrivals from Dewey Studios
Raku cats by Mary Gates Dewey are back in the shop and they are as rascally and humorous as ever! When a shipment from Dewey Studios arrives, we rush to open the box. What will the cats be up to this time?! Mary’s highly collectible raku cat sculptures capture the grace and impishness witnessed in the daily feats and follies of her feline friends. Click here to browse or shop for Dewey cats.
Mary Gates Dewey’s stylized cat sculptures are handmade of clay. The color and patterns are produced by an ancient method of firing called raku sawdust or “pit” firing. Once the piece has been bisque fired in a kiln, it is buried in sawdust and the sawdust is burned. The smoke from the sawdust produces permanent colors in the clay at random.
About the artist:
Mary Gates Dewey was born in South Florida, attended the Cleveland Institute of Art, and studied ceramics at the University of Alabama. She moved to the Appalachian foothills in the 1970′s, building a house and studio in the midst of the woods. Mary Gates Dewey created her first raku cat in 1982, and today only cats are produced in her studio.
It is tradition among potters that a new kiln have a kiln god made of clay to ensure successful firings. On the day of the firing of Mary’s new kiln, a cat came marching through the woods. Kaygee, short for “kiln god”, presided over that first firing and dedicated his life thereafter to inspiring Mary’s cat designs. Mary now lives and works in southeastern Ohio, continuing to find peace and inspiration in the woodlands. For decades, her Raku Cats have delighted and enchanted animal lovers around the world.
Now Shop Online for Allan Ditton Pottery
Now you can shop for Allan Ditton’s high-fire stoneware online at brookepottery.com. Each week we add new products to our online shop with the hope of providing out-of-town customers with better access to their favorite American Craft Artists. Not familiar with Allan Ditton’s work? Have fun browsing. Allan’s high-fire stoneware is characterized by rich textures of overlapping lines and concentric spirals beneath vibrant crackle glazes of cobalt blue, celedon green, soft red and earthy black. 
The matte textured terra cotta on rims and tops of pots is actually a watertight and food-safe glaze. The pottery is safe for the dishwasher, microwave (mugs and bowls) and oven. Simply start in a cold oven and bring the baking dish up to temperature. Allan Ditton Pottery is handmade in upstate New York.
First Friday June 3-Bicycle Night Downtown
The shop will be open late 6-9 pm on First Friday June 3. This month’s theme is Bicycle Night, so ride your bike to Downtown Lakeland and enjoy the fun family atmosphere of First Friday. Learn about biking trails throughout the city and efforts to increase bike racks in Downtown. Plus, there will be trick bike demos on Kentucky Avenue!
These photos were taken at last year's event by Tammy Wright aka the Lakeland Pedaller. Check the Lakeland Pedaller column on the Lakeland Local blog to find out more about biking in Lakeland.
We have lots of new work by American potters to share this month. New arrivals include Popcorn Studios, Dock 6, Kent Follette, Wellman and Welsch, and San Antonio. Now is a great time to add to your collection of these potters while we have a great selection of their work. Plus, we are introducing a new potter, Palms Up Pottery from New Smyrna Beach. Stop in Brooke Pottery 6-9 pm on First Friday and enjoy a taste of wine & cheese or juice & cookies while you shop.
Last Call for Raku Fish Ornaments
June 3 Update: That’s it for the Raku Fish. They have all found good homes!
It nearly breaks our hearts to announce that the Ellsworth Raku Fish is an endangered species. Rick Ellsworth and Paula Kenworthy of Mountain River Arts recently announced their retirement, and Brooke Pottery was lucky enough to get some of their very last Raku Fish hanging ornaments. 
Brooke Pottery has carried these wonderful, whimsical clay creations since Gloria Brooke started the shop in 1988. Gloria met the Ellsworths at an art show in Washington State, and the Raku Fish have been offered at Brooke Pottery ever since. Whether slim or round, with puckered lips or wide-mouth grins, the hanging clay ornaments have been a tremendous hit with customers over the years. Orca whales and puffin birds in a similar style debuted in the 2000′s but the original Raku Fish is the most beloved.
History of the Raku Fish from an article by Stephen Reed published in The Ledger, May 1991:
The fish are a strange success story for the Ellsworths, who have built a business around them. In 1975, Sharon and Rick Ellsworth were making more serious pottery when, during a late-night rush to meed a production deadline, they got a little giddy.
“We were just being silly one night,” Sharon Ellsworth said. “We just started playing around, not with the purpose of making anything.” From a glob of clay on the potter’s wheel, “someone pinched a face. And somebody else added eyeballs. All of a sudden, we had this stupid little face.” Fins were added and a booming business was….hatched.
The raku fish are formed on a potter’s wheel from soft white clay, starting with a small vase-like structure. Their characteristic grins and puts are shaped with a pinch of the fingers. Small, rolled eyes and clay-slab fins are added. After an initial firing in an electric kiln and the addition of some bright spots of yellow, green, blue or red glaze, the fish are fired in an outdoor gas kiln at 2,000 degrees. They are removed from the kiln with tongs and settled on a bed of dried oats, which smolder to give the creatures a smudged appearance.
The process takes about two weeks, and each handmade fish is one of a kind. While Rick and Paula hope to find another artist to carry on the Ellsworth Raku Fish designs, we certainly will miss their indelible mark on these special clay ornaments. Their Raku Fish have brought amusement and joy to hundreds of people around the world, including many Lakeland residents and visitors. Thank you for sharing your talents with us over the past twenty-three years!
New Pottery by David Voll
We are delighted to welcome new work by New Jersey potter David Voll. For a lighter step this spring, we ordered stoneware bowls, pictures and vases in Voll’s gorgeous yellow ash and moss green glazes. Completely made by hand, each piece is wheel thrown, hand shaped or carved with details, glazed and then fired to over 2200 degrees. David Voll’s pottery is safe for use in the oven, microwave and dishwasher.
Left: Pierced Rim Bowl in Moss Green, 11″ diameter, $213.
David Voll established his pottery studio at Batsto Village in southern New Jersey in 1976. Located within Wharton State Forest, Batsto Village is a historic community that has been preserved as a state park to exemplify early American history. The original Batsto community formed around an ironworks in the 1760′s, transformed into a window glassblowing community in the mid 1800′s, and then became a source of forestry and agricultural industry in the 1900′s.
Left: Tulip Vases in Moss Green, Small $70 and Large $95.
That history strongly intertwines with Voll’s pottery. David built his first kiln at Batsto from bricks salvaged from the abandoned Winslow brick works and spent a career working with local clays and developing glazes from local bog iron. David and his wife Lorraine, a weaver, lived and worked at Batsto Village park for over 20 years. In 1999, Voll moved his studio to Port Republic, NJ, where he can be found “practicing traditional techniques, balancing creativity and craftsmanship and trying to run a successful studio at the same time.” Bravo!
Left: 11″ oval shaped Waverly Bowl, $213.
David Voll’s serving bowls strike an elegant balance between strong lines and graceful curves.Five Sided 10″ Serving Bowl in Moss,$113. Square 5″ Salad/Soup Bowl, $30. Small 4″ Square Dip/Dessert Bowl, $20.
Shop for David Voll Pottery now……
The Old World Charm of Cornwall Bridge Pottery
We are excited to share new work by Cornwall Bridge Pottery from Connecticut. With over 35 years of experience throwing clay, Cornwall Bridge has developed a wonderful assortment of tableware, baking dishes, lamps and garden pots. The pottery is also a haven for visiting artists, fostering a community love for clay. Cornwall Bridge Pottery’s unique 35 foot long woodfired tube kiln is based on a design used in 10th century China. Founder Todd Spiker believes that “the potter’s challenge is to use nature’s palette — air, earth, water and fire — to create settings for domestic treasures, whether cooked, gathered or arranged that are as timeless as they are beautiful.” Hold a mug or casserole by Cornwall Bridge and you will feel what he means – it exudes an unmatched old world charm. Come see Brooke Pottery’s new selection of Cornwall Bridge Pottery, including the beautiful blue bird pattern shown below.
Woven Stoneware Fruit and Bread Baskets Are Classic Gifts
Our top-selling woven stoneware fruit bowls and bread baskets are back in stock! The oval bread baskets, french loaf baskets, butter scooters, handled oval trays and round fruit bowls are available in 16 colors to match any decor. Handmade in the USA for over 30 years, these versatile ceramic bowls are a classic blend of artisan craftsmanship and usefulness. To keep bread or dinner rolls warm on the table in the heat-retaining stoneware basket, simply heat the basket while you are warming or baking breads. Or choose the round bowl for a stylish fruit container. Paired with a matching butter scooter, the white bread basket is one of our most popular wedding gifts. And the heart-shaped baskets make special gifts for both moms and grandmothers. Easy care, oven and dishwasher safe.
New Pottery by Gene Gandee
The Artful Living show on First Friday was fantastic! Thanks to all of the artists who participated and to everyone who came out to show appreciation for local art. If you missed Florida potter Gene Gandee at the show, stop by Brooke Pottery to see a new selection of his work. We have a variety of serving pieces – pitchers, vases, napkin holders, spoon rests, berry bowls, mugs and chip & dip platters – in beautiful colors, including the new glazes sand and forest green.
Small chip and dip platters are the perfect gift size
New Pottery by Gene Gandee
Sept. 3-Donate School Supplies to Enter our Raku Vase Giveaway
Our sale went great – we had a lot less stuff to pack up, and that made the shop repair process so much easier! Thanks to everyone who helped this week and to all our customers for your patience. The dust has settled and now we have a beautiful, freshly painted ceiling and bright, newly painted walls. The store feels fresh and new. Come on down and see!
This Friday is a great time to come see the improved shop – it’s First Friday 6-9 PM. This month First Friday is all about Back to School. It’s Teacher Appreciation Night at Brooke Pottery. If you’re a teacher, you can register for a drawing to win a basket of teaching supplies and various goodies. For you non-teachers, bring in a new school supply to donate and receive an entry into a drawing for a gorgeous 8″ raku vase by Roundtree Pottery. It’s beautiful! And you’re helping the children. Both drawings happen at 8 PM, but we’re accepting school supply donations all day.
Tonight, we’ll also announce the winner of our kid’s art holiday ornament contest at 7 PM. Whose art will be immortalized on this year’s Brooke Pottery ornament? Come find out!
Great Coffee or Tea Service Idea
Sharing stories and visiting with customers is one of our favorite parts about Brooke Pottery. One recent customer put a novel twist on our teapots by Florida potter Gene Gandee. Combining a beautiful sepia glazed sushi set with a matching teapot and a miniature tea-for-one pot resulted in an unexpected and delightful….wait for it….coffee/tea service. Can’t you perfectly imagine cream in the mini teapot and sugar in the bowl? It was definitely a “why didn’t we think of that?!” moment. Thank you Betty L. for entertaining us with your fantastic gift idea.
Florida Focus: Potter Ira Burhans
This week, we share the work of Ira Burhans, a gifted potter working from Florida’s Gulf Coast. We are especially captivated by his exquisite carved and embossed patterns and distinctive bird-like pitchers. Burhans is influenced by the textures of water, falling water, curling waves and patterns in the sand which moving water creates. Examine the beautiful curled handles of a casserole dish, the carved surfaces of a vase, or the sinuous curving edges of a Wave serving tray, and you cannot help but be moved by the graceful translation of such inspiration.
Ira Burhans strives to explore new forms and glazes in stoneware pottery, using aggressive shapes and carvings as well as glazes that react to the shape and texture of each form. He explains that “as a result each pot has unique variations in both color and texture giving my pottery a one of a kind look.” Clay and Paper pottery is safe for the oven, microwave and dishwasher, so you can enjoy this finely handcrafted pottery everyday.
Above, left to right: Wave Serving Trays and Bird Pitchers
Burhans received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota and served an internship at Clayworks Studio Workshop in New York City. Two decades of hard work in his Florida studio has culminated in national recognition for his sculptural and functional work. His work is currently represented in over 100 galleries nationally and has been sold as far away as the Virgin Islands and Guam. This year, Burhans took 2nd Place for Clay in the Melbourne Art Festival.
July Savings – 50% Off Selected Items
American Tin Art, orig. $275
In the month of July, enjoy 50% savings on selected items at Brooke Pottery. New markdowns include:
- Textured pillar candles in scents like creme brule, dusk, and green tea lemongrass (orig. $35-$130)
- Striking platters and serving bowls by Robert Hasselle in hues of green, purple, red and black (orig. $35-$160)
- Geometric collages by Lori Daniels made with repurposed antique tin ceiling tiles (orig. $50- $290).
Stop by soon to take advantage of summer savings!
New Markdowns for July
American Tin Tiles
Creme Brule Candles
Lakeland’s Newest Fishing Hot Spot is Brooke Pottery
Turtle Serving Platter
Dolphin Relish Tray
Crab Chip and Dip
Come see Brooke Pottery’s new collection of Chamberlain Pottery. This colorful array of stoneware by Florida potter Tom Chamberlain includes serving bowls, wine chillers and a variety of useful baking dishes for brie, lasagne, paella and quiche. The most eye-catching pieces? The fabulous nautical collection, of course. Grouper platters, spade fish quiche bakers, crab salad bowls, dolphin relish trays, crab chip and dips, mahi mahi triple sauce servers, lighthouse meatloaf bakers …the list goes on and on. There’s even a kitchen sink. (Yes, really.) With Chamberlain’s wonderful new arrivals on display, our shop window looks like a beautiful coral reef. And that’s how Brooke Pottery is Lakeland’s new fishing hot spot for gifts.
Brooke Pottery has free activities for kids inside the shop and on the sidewalk out front. We’ll be open late on First Friday 6-9 PM and 6-8 PM on Saturday July 3 before the fireworks at Lake Mirror. Enjoy the live music, face painting and a Go Fish game for kids. Happy 4th of July!
Clay and Glass Fusion: Pottery by Kerry Brooks
Fused Glass and Pottery Bowl
Blue Plate and Serving Bowls
