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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
