American Artisans: Kiln House Pottery

Kiln House Pottery is the first in my Sunday series featuring American Artisans. There are so many exceptionally talented craftspeople across the country who share a love of all things handmade, and this is my chance to introduce them to you. These artisans are creating beautiful and useful products that elevate the experience of everyday cooking and eating, and they’re using skills and techniques that might otherwise be lost in our era of throwaway mass production. Their work makes me happy, and I hope it does the same for you. Each feature will be paired with a giveaway to give you the chance to experience their work for yourselves. I’ll be doing these features every other Sunday for the foreseeable future, so be sure to check back, and enjoy!

I’m so excited to be sharing one of my favorite things with you today. I’ve been collecting Kiln House pottery from the minute I discovered the artist, Sandy Kreyer at an arts and crafts show years ago, and her pieces have given me so much pleasure ever since. I think her work has the same exuberant spirit that I try to express through my recipes here on TVFGI, and it seems only natural to share her work with you all. You’ve probably spotted some of her beautiful dishes in my posts from time to time…I use and enjoy her pieces every day. She was honored as a 2014 Martha Stewart American Made finalist and yes, we’re giving away Kiln House pottery on the blog today!

Sandy’s been producing her hand painted, one of a kind ceramics out of her California studio since the 70s. She makes large serving pieces like the one above, all the way down to little bowls with birds perched on the lips, just perfect for serving nuts and snacks, and just about everything in between. It’s all dishwasher and microwave safe, so even though it looks delicate, it’s sturdy and made for daily use.

My cereal bowls hold just the right amount of oatmeal, soup, or ice cream. Sandy says she likes to use the even smaller size bowls for portion controlled snacking, and I have to say, there’s something about eating out of special dishes that makes everything taste better.

Sandy has her own unique glazing technique that makes the colors pop and the patterns look almost three dimensional. Her brush work is so detailed, and the the florals and patterns are really stunning. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen colors as vibrant and nuanced in any other ceramics. Every piece is one of a kind and I’m like a kid in a candy shop every time I go to one of her shows.

Sandy does regular arts and craft shows throughout the state, so if you live in California you may be able to catch one of them. You can check out her itinerary on her site. If you can’t make it to one of her shows, she sells online in her Etsy shop where the stock is constantly changing.

If I had to pick one part of my collection I couldn’t live without, it would be my mugs. I start every day with my morning coffee in one of them, and over the years they’ve become like old friends…they keep my hands warm in winter and my ice cream cold in summer…everybody in the family has their particular favorite and God help anyone who tries to nab mine.

In honor of Valentine’s Day Sandy is giving away a set of two of her beautiful mugs to one lucky reader – the winner will be able to choose any two mugs from the Kiln House Pottery shop.

To enter, simply sign up on my email list HERE…

 If you are already on the mailing list, you’re good to go. That’s it, and good luck!

(Giveaway ends friday february 6th.)

~The Winner of the Kiln House Pottery giveaway is Loralea Clark! Congratulations Loralea!~

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