Sorry to say goodbye...

Just a Few Pieces!

Polish Stoneware has taken over my home...

Here is the infamous East Coast butter. But this is what I actually use the butter dish for...garlic. If you keep the top slightly ajar, the garlic stays very fresh.

~Susan~

Time for Christmas!

Yes, my favorite time of year!
I thought I would share a photo of last year's Polish ornament only Christmas tree. It's one of 4 that I put up, each with a particular kind of theme. One is all old family ornaments, one is gold and ivory and one is ornaments the girls made and all our pet's ornaments ( they had a lot of Guinea pigs over the years). I need to start working on those next week.
The Polish tree is full of ornaments I collect wherever I can find them. We even have one of Charley ( a bichon) that was made in Poland. I find them everywhere and will be out again this week checking out all the ornaments. This year I get to add the beautiful PS ornament I got recently. I'm sure it won't be the last!
I also have a picture of last year's Christmas eve appetizer bonanza just to show off more stoneware pieces! In the upper part of the photo you may see my beloved pierogi! Yum! I'll be working on those this year too as well as sending Jill the recipe to make them herself.
Diane

Okay Ladies- Here we go!

Hi All
As I promised, here's the recipe for one of my all-time favorites!
Vickie's Placek
2 cups lukewarm milk
1 (2oz) yeast cake
3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups flour
1 cup butter(use the real stuff)
2 cups sugar
6 eggs
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Rind of a lemon
Golden raisins, plumped
Crumb topping- to follow
Dissolve yeast in warm milk to which 3tbsp. sugar has been added. When dissolved, stir in the 3 cups flour and set aside until doubled in size.
In the meantime, cream butter and sugar adding vanilla and lemon rind, add the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add flour and mix until combined. When the sponge has risen, combine the two mixtures,adding the plumped raisins ( never use dark raisins!).
Place dough in pans, your choice but I use two loaf, a 10" round baker and sometimes another small round baker, but keep the pans about half full because you still have crumbs and it has to rise.Top with crumbs, let rise about an hour and bake at 350 about 30-40 mins ( until golden.)
Crumbs
3/4 cup sugar,1/2 cup flour,1/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds, combine and sprinkle over dough. Honestly, I always double the crumbs, it just tastier that way!
This is just delicious sliced for breakfast with a little bit of yes, butter on top and it's really not that hard to make. Enjoy!

I knew this would happen!

Well, the garden went crazy!
Thank goodness I had the big bowl to store all the tomatoes and peppers. I am still using the basket, but only for cherry and grape tomatoes.
I have made tarts, caprese, pasta dishes and put grape tomatoes on everything I eat and I still had to freeze a fairly good number for future use for some yummy stuffed cabbage and my next door neighbors are loving all the cherry and grape and yellow I'm giving them. The Polish tomato plants that I started from seed have loads of tomatoes and I can't wait to try them.
Does anyone have any recipes to share??
On another note, several of you have mentioned how much you are loving some of the older patterns. I'd like to share one of my favorites, it's a large memory box that was one of my earliest pieces of PS and I really love the pattern. It's U1061 by Barbara Makiela. It's perfectly suited for this form. And it's a great place to hide things you don't want found.
Diane

A basket from the garden

Hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th.
I am particularly pleased that all my heirloom tomatoes and peppers are growing like mad and I am starting to enjoy the results.
Last year I used my PS basket to hold the goodies until I used them. It works for now, until everything really starts to turn red,yellow,pink ,orange and green. Then I'll have move up to my wedding bowl. I even have some special tomato plants this year- Soldacki- a Polish seed brought to the US in 1910.
I am also getting to use my vases for hydrangea, finally, after three years I have flowers!
For everyone with Pickle crocks (or any other canister), they really work beautifully for homemade dill pickles, just like Babcia used to make. It's also a great piece to serve them in at a barbeque, it looks so festive and keeps them chilled. There was nothing better in the summer than homemade dill pickles, unless it's chocolate, but lets not go there right now!
I'd love to hear about everyone's favorite summer traditions and favorite foods, let's start sharing them. I'm always looking for a good recipe.
Diane

Special Order ETA...

We have been (patiently) waiting for confirmation on the latest shipment leaving Poland and arriving here in the states. Our shipment is now estimated to arrive in July. We know this feels impossibly long but we know it will be well worth it! The last 2-3 orders will probably be combined to completely fill the containers. Then of course, each ship had to be filled to capacity with containers. In this economy, this only makes sense to keep expenses down to get our pieces here cost effectively. Last year we were receiving orders in 2-4 months time but with demand for stoneware slightly down, orders have not been rolling in like they were.

We understand that some of you space out your orders for financial reasons. We will be more than happy to provide an "easy pay" option for those who have multiple orders on this shipment to help you space out your payments. If this delay causes an issue with gift giving (or your tolerance level!), please give us a call to discuss possible options. We completely understand the frustration in waiting for custom pieces and "feel your pain" however, we can only reason that special orders are just that, "special", and deserve whatever time it takes to journey here from Poland.

Considering these circumstances, we highly recommend our collectors place their Christmas special orders sooner rather than later. We will make sure the next order goes in early July to plan for Holiday delivery.
Laurie

Pattern Levels and Polish Pottery

For new and seasoned collectors alike, polish pottery decoration levels has always been somewhat confusing. All pattern levels are determined by the factory. They are easy to identify in the sample pictures provided for resellers as the decoration level is shown right in each picture.

Let’s start with “production” or Traditional series decorations. Early designs were usually far less complex while newer Traditional series decorations can almost rival Signature series decorations. Early Traditional decorations are what most of us remember polish pottery looking like with patterns dubbed “Eye of the Peacock”or “Mosquito Dot”. Up until the last several years Traditional series patterns always had a “white” or unpainted rim. This changed with the times when the standard “blue rim” was included on Traditional series patterns. This has made Traditional series patterns even more compatible with Unikat or Signature series decorations. White rims can still be requested and custom ordered at JazzySadie’s.

Unikat or Signature series decorations come in levels U3 and U4. They are identified by the word Unikat (Unique) written on the back of each piece, usually next to the pattern number for that decoration. Signature series will also usually have the name of the artist who designed the decoration on the back. In the past we were informed by the distributors that this signature represented the master artist who actually designed AND painted the decoration on that exact piece. This turns out to be not so today. The initials and associated number that can also be located on the back are of the actual artist who painted the decoration while the signature represents the “designing” artist. Yes, it is possible to get a random piece that was actually painted by the designing artist and no, we cannot request it. The demand for polish pottery is such that all of these changes were necessary to supply the US with our beautiful selections! Just a note, smaller pieces and some shapes such as utensils that do not have a small or an undecorated “backside” may not have a signature or any information at all other than the quality one sticker that accompanies each piece. This does not reduce the value or authenticity of the piece.

Level U3 are the standard and are far more intricate and decorative than Traditional series decorations. U4 are considered even more complex based on the time it takes the artist to paint the decoration. Many of the U4 decorations are simply breath-taking and it is easy to see why it became a U4 decoration. Other times however it is hard to understand why one decoration is deemed a U4 vs. U3 when a U3 decoration "appears" to have more detail. Since we don’t see the time and effort put into the cutting of sponges or the complexity of the painting, only the factory can know why any specific pattern receives a U4 designation. There are some very old U4 patterns that we no longer order for our inventory because many of the newer patterns have far surpassed the demand for these older U4 patterns however, any decoration can be special ordered through JazzySadie’s.

We are charged much more for U4 decorations from the distributor which is why in turn, retail prices are higher. We cannot request a U3 pattern in a U4 level, it is what it is. If U3 patterns are listed as U4 (or vice versa) in a store, either the vendor or their distributor is unaware of the correct decoration level or either of them chose to designate a pattern at a different price point on their own. (This IS America after all; fair trade practice allows registered retail businesses to set their own price points without illegal price fixing from anyone!) Hope this helps unravel some of the mystery with polish pottery decoration levels.

Laurie

Pillar Candle Holder and Orchid

Nora,
Pillar candle holder is style 931 and it's a U2288.
Deb

Vases From Pottery Pig's Stash

OK, I still haven't cleaned off the table, so this is hardy award winning photography. LOL! And yes, I was on my sail boat when I took this photo. tehe (Except that I don't have a sail boat.)
Debbie

Hello Ladies! I have finally joined you here.

I've loved looking at all of your collections. Want to share my display. The first time I saw a hutch displayed full of PS I knew that's what I wanted! But I'm running out of room. Also have a kitchen cupboard full of the pieces I use regularly for baking. I hope I do this right!

Jeanine-A Picture of U2081

Jeanine it occurred to me that I could post a picture of the bowl, Heaven's Own Blue, and give you an idea of its size relative to other serving pieces pretty easily since I have completed (nearly) my inventory. Hope this is helpful. Shawn

U16B Photos and Rocky too!

Jeanine and Shawn,

Here are a couple of pictures of my round serving tray in U16B. Hope these help in deciding about the pattern. It is impressionistic, but it works with my other PS and is a stunning piece. By the way, had to sneak in a picture of Rocky so those that are monitoring his progress can see that he is getting bigger. I had to take his PS bowls away (they were just berry bowls) because he likes to step in his water dish and it was spilling all over the place!

Renee

U408 Inspirations!

Although I did have the spoon rest in this pattern, and I loved the large Cheese Lady (but don't have a place for her), I could not have been as thrilled as when I opened my 408 special order (see photo above). [Also I have adopted one of Laurie's cats as you can see.] The 408 colors are very saturated and the B&B plate is very special. I love it! Shawn

RocketMom's Picture Post Attempt

Well, I think I have figured it out! Here is my first attempt at uploading pictures to this blog. Just a couple of shots to see if I have got it right. By the way, the pooch is our new puppy, Rocky, that so many of you have been asking to see. This is an old picture from when we first got him. If this works, I will take better pics and post more soon.

Renee

A question for Laurie!

Laurie, Good Morning!
Could you please address the issue of baking with PS and any precautions we should be aware of.
I think it would be helpful to all of us to review the care we should take when using our PS in the oven. Not so much when we are baking in it as much as roasting and temperatures changes we need to be aware of. A fellow PS collector on another forum had a problem and I offered to ask you for guidance on roasting. I know that for as long as I have been baking in my PS, it just dawned on me that I should reduce the oven temp 25 degrees because this is like baking in glass instead of metal. I had not thought of that! Any advice you can give will be appreciated!
Diane

Special Ordering

Laurie,
There seems to be a number of questions floating around out there about special ordering, how it's done, what you order and the timing. Also, questions have come up about damaged special orders. I have been collecting and ordering for a long time now, and asked a lot of questions of you along the way, but it might be helpful to go through the process for some of the newer collectors. For example, your review process for pieces you receive, damage in transit, etc.
Renee

Easter- Polish stoneware style!

Hi All!
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Per Laurie's request- this time the stoneware has food on it!
We started the day with a hearty breakfast- 2 giant orange chocolate Easter bunnies (big thanks to my sister in NY for sending them), washed down with coffee and my Aunt Martha's Poppyseed roll, looking awesome on my euro bread tray.
Later everyone, including Charley, joined in the basket hunt and enjoyed their baskets (even the dolls).
I happily served dinner on my stoneware, knowing it was all going in the dishwasher after, instead of my old china which had to be hand washed(ugh). This year, we felt like ribs!
Dessert was grandma's pineapple cheesecake baked in my 10" round baker, it was just like I remembered!
Well, that's the story of our Easter. Hope everyone had a great time and took pictures! I look forward to seeing them all here soon!
Diane

The "Dark and Light" of Polish Stoneware

Good morning everyone! Hope wherever you live, there is a touch of spring in the air - here in Massachusetts, April showers are making their debut.

I received an email this morning from another collector that has prompted me to start this discussion with all of you. She was under-whelmed with the fact that the painting on the side of the bowl she had purchased was "odd" and that the colors did not "pop" yet were more subtle. Although I can somewhat understand the desire for uniformity in design by new collectors, I find that from time to time I like to remind (myself!) and collectors of why Polish stoneware is so loved around the world and continues to be so very popular right here in the U.S.

With the wonderful hand-painted aspect of Polish pottery, every piece is going to have subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle variances in painting. Unlike a regimented machine stamped process which have precise measurements of paint, pressure, position and are imprinted with exact stencils, many pieces will have varying elements in each decorated piece. Most of us do not consider these lights and darks, the over-lapping of colors or even the re-arrangement of the decoration on a similar piece as "imperfections" but part of the uniqueness of each piece inspired within the moment the artist created it. I have seen up to 6 "obvious" variations (v.s. just the subtle variations we have come to expect!) of the same decoration on the same shape pass through our inventory! I for one would hate to try and "contain" the artist's freedom of expression by expecting any kind of perfection or exactness with each decoration they newly create or reproduce for us. Below are some examples of not-so-subtle" yet beautiful variations by our artists... If some of you have variations you would like to share in your own collections, please share!

U1013
U2268








U408 (Stella!)

Does Anyone Have This Pattern?

I think that I like this pattern and would love to see it made up. Does anyone have it? I found it by going through the pattern catalogue to the right of the blog space(Thanks Laurie!). Shawn

Canisters from PotteryPig

Diane, Your wish is my command.

Oh Geez! She found the camera again!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Today I took more photos of my pieces and thought I'd share. Of course, I had to include Jadwiga, my adorable cheese lady. Also, thought I would share my canister set ! If anyone is looking for something to special order (you know who you are), I highly recommend canisters. Love them! And they get tons of use. I sold the old set in a garage sale. Did that with a lot of old dishes to make more room!

I also took my trivets and hung them on a small wall in my breakfast room.They make a great decoration and by using screws with heads a little larger than the holes you can hang them to look like they are "floating" on the wall. I also take craft paint and paint the head of the screw to match the surrounding color on the trivet, so it just blends right into the piece. I bought them to display so I don't take them down anyway.

Diane

Special Orders are Due Today, What Did you get?

Well, it was really tough to decide what to get this time, but I finally decided to get the large pasta serving bowl, 4 soup plates and 2 fluted luncheon plates. I got some lovely floral patterns for the Spring/Summer. I can't wait to get them although I know it will be awhile before they come. That will give me time to get some of my other PS put away. So what did all of you get? Shawn, I hope you ordered a small cheese lady in U408!
Renee

I Love You