Pi Day Sale March 14 – and free pi(e)!

Pi Day Sale this Thursday: Take 14% off 3 items or fewer during our Pi Day celebration on March 14. Enjoy free samples of real pie while you shop, too!

Sale is limited to 3 items, but these will be your 3 most expensive items. Valid only on March 14, 2013 for merchandise in stock. No coupon required for in-store purchase. To shop online, use code piday. Discount does not apply to shipping, lay-aways or special orders.

Come celebrate the coolest of numbers, pi, and the birthday of one of the world’s most brilliant thinkers, Albert Einstein, with us on March 14. Of course, we all learned in school that pi is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, and that pi = 3.1415 (and so on). Pi Day is celebrated by people who love numbers (such as former math teacher and Brooke Pottery co-owner Margaret Stephens) on March 14 (3/14, get it?). March 14 is also Albert Einstein’s birthday, and we all know who he is. The universe is just bursting with all kinds of mathematical goodness on March 14! And to celebrate, Brooke Pottery will be serving real pie on Pi Day and on the weekend. Mmm, pi(e).

Spring Obsession Garden Extravaganza – March 9

Brooke Pottery invites you to attend the 11th Annual Spring Obsession 9am – 4pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013. Spring Obsession is a celebration of garden, art and music in Lakeland’s historic Munn Park that happens just once a year. If your yard is brown, get Downtown! More than 60 local and regional nurseries, landscapers and garden vendors will bring their plants and garden decor to Munn Park, filling downtown with springtime color and energy. Lakeland jazz band Free Time adds to the festive mood with “an eclectic and entertaining blend of musical styles ranging from Miles Davis to Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley.” Throw in free activities for children and half a dozen Gardening Presentations, and you have an irresistible family-friendly event.
How is Brooke Pottery connected to Spring Obsession? Brooke Pottery is both a partner of the event and a participant. Our shop’s founder, Gloria Brooke, was a primary founder of Spring Obsession. Margaret Stephens, a co-owner of Brooke Pottery, helps plan the event, and we contribute a garden-themed gift basket to the auction. The shop also sets up a booth in the park, with a sampling of our sun hats, garden gloves, bird houses and feeders and artful garden stakes. Did we mention that Spring Obsession’s mission is to raise funds form cultural enhancements in Lakeland? Here’s what Gloria had to say last year in an interview with Lakeland Local:

About the origins of Spring Obsession 11 years ago, Gloria recalls, “Marie MaGrath and I were talking and decided Lakeland should have a first class garden event like Selby Gardens in Sarasota – a large plant sale with music and garden and educational workshops. We had no funds, just an idea.” Brooke and McGrath quickly built a volunteer team that made the first year’s event a big success.

One of the goals of this year’s event is to raise money for cultural enhancements in Downtown Lakeland. Event proceeds have furnished park benches in Hollis Garden and supported local initiatives including Common Ground Park, Arts on the Park, BikeLakeland and Campfire Girls. Last year, funds were used to purchase the delightfully artful bike racks outside Polk Museum of Art. “This year we are supporting artistic bike racks for the libraries and the maintenance of Munn Park,” said Brooke.

About five years ago the committee decided to support the Green movement. They added rain barrels for sale and an installation workshop. Many of the vendors offer Earth-friendly clothing and garden maintenance products.
Spring Obsession vendors and presenters have become regulars each season. The Polk County Master Gardeners have presented educational information almost from the beginning of the event. Vendors are quick to rejoin to get a space in the next year’s event. Downtown businesses support Spring Obsession for all the good they do brightening the city.

“We are so thankful for all of our sponsors but particularly Magnify Credit Union and Publix Super Markets Charities,” said Brooke. “Our committee for this event has always been entirely volunteers, so all of the net profit goes to support our community. I think all of our sponsors appreciate that.”

Gardening Presentations
Held at the Wakeman’s Parkview Banquet Room – 105 N. Kentucky Avenue (next to Harry’s)

• 9:00 “City of Lakeland Plant Introductions” by Bill Koen, Horticultural Specialist, City of Lakeland
• 10:00 “Basic Orchid Culture – Give Them a Good Start” by Kay Stone, Ridge Orchid Society
• 11:00 “Citrus Greening and Other Issues” by David B. Shibles, Urban Horticulturalist, Polk County Cooperative Extenstion Service
• 12:00 “Butterfly Gardening in Central Florida” by Linda and Buck Cooper
• 1:00 “Worm Farming” by Ginger Hansill
• 2:00 “City of Lakeland Plant Introductions” by Bill Koen, Horticultural Specialist, City of Lakeland

Skyward Festival – First Friday March 1st

The next First Friday street party in Downtown Lakeland is one of the most exciting themes of the year – the Skyward Festival.  Hosted by the Sun N’ Fun air museum, the Skyward Festival brings a taste of the museum’s April Expo and Fly-In to downtown Lakeland. Exhibits of small aircraft lining the streets, hot air balloons glowing at dusk, aerial flyovers…oooohhh……ahhhh….

You won’t want to miss this fun, free, family-friendly event. So save the date of Friday, March 1!

Affordable Silver Earrings by Mark Steel

If you haven’t visited the shop this week, let us tell you about something new:  Mark Steel jewelry.  His name may be Steel, but Sterling Silver and Gold are this Utah artist’s mediums for creating wonderful jewelry.  We are delighted to bring his work to Brooke Pottery. We have dozens of earrings, and every pair is under $30.

Mark Steel began making jewelry in 1979, working out of his garage using a few simple hand tools. He sold his work at the Park City Arts Festival and the local mall. Little did he know that thirty years later Mark Steel Jewelry would be a successful business, selling jewelry in all fifty states.  From a small town in central Utah, to the blistering heat of El Paso Texas, Mark Steel has been creating jewelry that is unique to any other. The company has now come full circle, based in Kamas Valley – just 10 miles east of where Mark first started!

Each piece of jewelry is still hand crafted by skilled professionals using the finest metals.  Mark Steel offers a 100% guarantee on craftsmanship.

Crono Jewelry is Back!

Crono Designs is back!  We adore this collection of  bold, lightweight, architectural-inspired jewelry.  Only one of each design is available, making the necklace, earrings or bracelet you choose a unique statement piece.

And it’s affordable!  Pierced earrings are $33, larger french hook earrings are $36.  Cuff bracelets and wire necklaces with magnetic closures are $47 each.  Easy to wear, no maintenance required.  All these factors make Crono Jewelry a favorite among our customers.  Hurry in for the best selection – these beauties sell out quickly!

Crono Designs are the creation of Montreal artist Christophe Poly. He sees beauty in everyday objects. Poly’s interest for travel, fashion, design, engineering and architecture gives him the inspiration in his artistic expression. He is fascinated by the volume of structure and in the shape of objects. Using modern materials such as aluminum, brass, acrylic, leather and rubber, he creates collections based on an architectural approach, where each piece is combined in a complex and ingenious marriage.

Descended from Greek and French origins, Christophe Poly immigrated to Canada at the age of eight. Growing up he was quick to develop a passion for the arts which he inherited from his mother, a fashion designer. From his father, an entrepreneur, he inherited the drive and the ambition that allowed him to build concrete items from his own creativity and skills.

Christophe Poly began his jewelry career after taking a course at the “École de joaillerie et de métaux d’art de Montréal”. He rapidly perfected the basic skills of soldering, polishing and designing, first working for others and later for himself. Over time he elaborated on these basic skills to develop his own innovative style and techniques that today characterizes his work.

Romantic Jewelry by Rebecca McNerney Designs

 

With charming sterling silver and 14k gold jewelry by Rebecca McNerney, you can quite literally give your Valentine the key to your heart!  Fellas, women swoon over the romantic style of our Key Charm Necklaces and earrings.  Did we mention our free gift wrapping service?  We’ve got you covered for Valentine’s Day, Anniversaries and Birthdays.

Who creates these lovely designs?  Phoenix metalsmith Rebecca McNerney, a long time customer and staff favorite at Brooke Pottery.  Artist statement:

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have always been interested in crafts – focusing primarily on the fiber arts. After a long career in retail, I decided to escape the corporate world. I left in May, 2000 to start my own business, to pursue an education as a jeweler, and most important, to spend more time with my family.

The silver beads, slides, clasps, and chain links are designed in wax, and then cast in sterling silver. All of my designs are very simple, and focus on the intrinsic beauty of the materials. I have a staff of 4 part time college students & recent college graduates who work with me in my studio. They didn’t have any experience making jewelry, so it has been fun teaching them a great skill. I also have a woman who makes jewelry for me in her home on a “by the piece” basis. I still make jewelry every day, but spend most of my time managing and overseeing my assistants, talking to customers, and handling the paperwork.

 

My jewelry is shown in galleries in the US, Canada, Mexico, & several locations overseas. I continue to do juried fine arts & crafts shows in the Southwest. I live in Phoenix, Arizona with my husband Michael, my sons, Pat & Connor, Max the dog, and 3 desert tortoises.

More of Rebecca’s stunning metalwork (click photos to shop online):

24 & 4 Anniversary Party at the Shop

Happy Anniversary to Us! February marks our 24th year in business!  That’s nearly a quarter century.  Woohoo!  We strive to bring Lakeland and central Florida the best in American Craft, with a unique selection of artisan gifts made by both local and nationally known fine craft artists.  We thank each and every one of you wonderful customers for your support throughout the years. Why do we call it our 24 & 4 Anniversary? Well, February also marks the 4th year that us, Kay and Margaret, at the helm. It’s been a journey, but we’re loving it.

To celebrate our 24 & 4 Anniversary, we will serve free cake to shoppers throughout the day on Friday, February 1st.  Also, the shop is open late until 9 pm that day for First Friday Downtown. We sure hope that you can join the party. Free cake – what more incentive do you need?!

Feel free to RSVP and share with friends here.

Get ready for Strawberry Season with a Berry Bowl

Are you ready for Strawberry Season? It’s one of the pleasures of winter living in Florida, because local growers in Plant City and Hillsborough county raise some of the plumpest, tastiest strawberries around. The first harvests began in December and the annual Plant City Strawberry Festival arrives at the end of February. Get ready for Strawberry Season with a Berry Bowl. If you have a Berry Bowl, then you know what I’m talking about. Pottery berry bowls are a great way to wash, store and serve fresh berries. Once refrigerated, the bowl keeps berries cool on the table while you snack. The plate catches any leftover water, plus you can use the bowl as a colender for other foods. Below is a showcase of some of the marvelous Berry Bowls that we have in stock. Shop online or call us a 863-688-6844 to set reserve one.

Above: Berry bowls by Cascadia Stoneware in Goldstone, Black Galaxy and Cascadia Blue glazes, $66.

Above: Berry bowls by Follette Pottery have a flower motif, $70.

Above: Vibrant, color-dipped Berry Bowls by Allan Ditton, $65.

First Friday Jan. 4 – Resolution Revolution

Downtown Lakeland is hosting a wellness fair to help you make 2013 the best year ever. Find resolution inspiration during this showcase of local healthcare providers, gyms, hair salons and charities 6-9 pm on Friday, January 4. It’s an excellent chance to discover local resources and start healthy habits for the new year. As always, First Friday will also have live music, the Classy Car Show and kids activities – entertainment for everyone in the family.

Click here for a map and directions or to RSVP on facebook.

Brooke Pottery is open until 9 pm every Friday, including First Fridays.

Christmas Sale Starts Friday at 6 pm | 30-50% Off

Be the first to shop our Christmas Sale 6-9pm on Friday, December 21. The first 15 customers through the door after 6 pm can pick a special gift from our not-so-secret Santas, Kay and Margaret. Each Santa letter contains a Brooke Pottery gift certificate valued $5-$25.

Pat Basile’s Santa and Snowmen Gourds are 30% off and all other Christmas items are 50% off. Save big on hand-blown glass and wood ornaments, Peggy Karr Glass Christmas plates, tumbled marble holiday coasters and holiday candles. Happy Holidays!