The Enduring Legacy of Yellowware Pottery: A Journey Through Time

Yellowware, a type of utilitarian pottery known for its distinctive yellow-hued glaze, has a rich history that spans centuries. Sometime in 2022 I started collecting yellowware without realizing it would become a collection. By the Christmas of 2023 I had a pie safe full.

1. Origins and Historical Background:

• Earthenware Roots: Yellowware finds its roots in the late 18th century, emerging as an evolution of earlier earthenware traditions. Early American potters sought to create a durable, affordable alternative to more expensive ceramics.

• Colonial America: The popularity of yellowware surged in the United States during the 19th century, particularly during the Colonial Revival period. American potters drew inspiration from European ceramics but put a distinctive twist on the designs.

2. Characteristics of Yellowware:

• Yellow Glaze: The defining feature of yellowware is its vibrant yellow glaze, achieved through the use of natural oxides, often derived from iron. The intensity of the yellow hue can vary, ranging from pale buttery tones to deep mustard shades.

• Salt-Glazing Technique: Many early examples of yellowware were salt-glazed, a process where salt is introduced into the kiln during firing, creating a unique surface texture and enhancing the pottery's durability.

• Simple Forms: Yellowware pieces typically feature simple, functional forms. Common items include mixing bowls, pitchers, mugs, and various kitchen utensils. The simplicity of design reflects the utilitarian nature of these pieces.

3. Utilitarian Use in American Homes:

• Kitchenware: Yellowware gained popularity as everyday kitchenware in American homes. Its affordability and durability made it accessible to a broad range of households, and its distinct appearance added a touch of warmth to kitchens.

• Variety of Shapes and Sizes: From nested mixing bowls to pitchers with embossed patterns, yellowware came in a variety of shapes and sizes, catering to different culinary and household needs.

4. Collectibility and Rarity:

• Collector's Items: Over time, yellowware has become highly collectible. Antique enthusiasts and collectors appreciate the historical significance, craftsmanship, and visual appeal of these pottery pieces.

• Rarity and Valuation: Certain variations, such as those with intricate patterns or unusual forms, are rarer and more valuable. Collectors often seek out these unique pieces to add to their collections.

5. Preservation and Restoration:

• Challenges of Preservation: The fragility of yellowware poses challenges for preservation. Collectors and museums must handle these artifacts with care to prevent damage to the delicate glaze and forms.

• Restoration Efforts: Skilled conservators work to restore damaged yellowware pieces, carefully addressing issues like cracks, chips, or glaze loss. These efforts aim to ensure that these historical artifacts can be appreciated for generations to come.

6. Contemporary Appreciation and Revival:

• Artistic Inspiration: Contemporary potters draw inspiration from the aesthetics of yellowware, incorporating its warm tones and simple designs into modern ceramic creations.

• Revival in Home Decor: The nostalgic charm of yellowware has led to a revival in home decor. Reproduction pieces, inspired by traditional yellowware, can be found in homes, creating a bridge between the past and present.

Yellowware pottery, with its distinctive yellow glaze and utilitarian roots, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of American potters and the enduring appeal of simple, functional design. From its humble origins in Colonial America to its status as sought-after collector's items, yellowware pieces continue to evoke a sense of history and charm. As these artifacts find new life in contemporary homes, the legacy of yellowware lives on, connecting generations through the shared appreciation of a timeless and vibrant ceramic tradition.

Stories Within Squares- Vintage Giggles

STORIES WITHIN SQUARES

QUILT MAKER VINTAGE GIGGLES

“We make quilts, but we also write the stories of people’s lives within those squares.” Located down in Miami, Florida, Rebecca Lambert shares the heart behind Vintage Giggles and what being a maker means to her.

What is your business? We make quilts from personal items that carry a lot of significance to people.  Basically, people call on us when they want to clear out storage bins of unused, but significant pieces of clothing or linens.  Instead of taking up space in the attic, unseen, their items that hold memories can now be seen and used everyday.  Most commonly, we work with collections of outgrown children's clothes, an eclectic collection of t shirts, select items from a loved one's wardrobe who has passed away, a combination of items from multi-generations of family members, wedding party attire, and even grandma's crocheted doilies.  You name it, we quilt it.   

Did you come from the corporate world? Were you always a maker? My background is education.  My degree is in elementary education.  I taught fourth grade for two years before handing in my resignation and looking for ways outside the walls to teach and inspire people.

Tell us about your process to becoming a maker. It started with my mother always telling me that a man should have a toolbox and a woman should have a sewing machine.  I never understood.  I could buy anything I needed, so why should I make it?  Until one day, when I needed a gift and no store had what I had in mind.  So, because my mom won the battle of me owning a sewing machine, I was able to make that gift. Not knowing how to sew, I literally lost sleep trying to figure out how to sew squares together, maneuvering around corners and how to put an edge on a finished quilt. What way did I need to fold the fabric?  How did I need to cut the pieces?  How do I cut fabric? I needed to figure it out myself.  My own stubbornness held me from learning in conventional ways.  I didn't want to be told how to do it, I just had to try. And it was so much fun, that I made a lot of things for that gift.  And I am still making those things that I gave as a gift that day. 

Why are you still a maker? I am still a maker because of the happiness it makes people feel when they receive what I make. To give someone a tangible way to hold memories in their hands is something that I will never tire of making.  

Is this your main job? Yes, second only to raising our family of six kids.  

Tell us about your creative process and the evolution of that process as you've perfect your craft and as you've grown as a business. Listening is the biggest part of our creative process.  Reading people's handwritten stories pinned to articles of clothing that hold their memories, hearing the trembling in a voice on the phone telling us they don't know how many more days their loved one will have to live, reading descriptions of siblings' bubbly and artistic personalities, holding the fabrics that memories were made in is where it all starts for us.  We make quilts, but we also write the stories of people's lives within those squares.  And so, we don't operate under strict rules.  Rather, we let what is important to each customer lead us.  

What inspires you? Colors and stories.  Colors inspire us as if each one carries it's own frequency, creating visual melodies and harmonies when they are combined.  And stories of families, generations and heritages sit cozy in our hearts, surfacing as squares of colors that become a quilt.

Who inspires you? Anyone with a story to share stirs our hearts. Nostalgic stories about traditions laid forth by grandparents, love stories that celebrate the little things, stories of loss and the seemingly insatiable heartache it leaves, sporty stories of athletic achievements, childhood stories of our own fast growing children, or stories of our childhood, as told by the worn thin knees of a bell bottom pair of corduroys and a matching peter pan collared polyester knit striped shirt. It all matters.

Who are your role models? Our role models are people who have not missed the opportunity to take a chance.  To see a person with a passion so big that they take a leap and put it into action, not knowing if it will work or not, will always be the people we look up to.  

Who has been your biggest champion as you've progressed as being a maker? My family.  My husband's continued encouragement and belief in this little company that I started has carried me through times in which I didn't know if I had what it took to make it through.  He leads me when I get stuck, and helps me handle it when the workload is high, easing my fears and building my determination. And my kids.  They see me working when the first wake, and they know that after tucking them in bed at night, I will probably go to my studio to finish the day's work.  They look at and point out their favorite squares as the quilts come together.  They know that they can do hard things because they see me pushing through, when it would be easier to give up.  And to be able to teach them that, by example, makes them champions.

How have you grown your business? Social media has been the biggest community in which my company has grown.  The platform it gives to share pictures and stories is such a beautiful way to show what we do.  Word of mouth and charitable offerings have also increased awareness of what we do.  And from a phone call to a dear friend of mind that started out something like, "you won't believe it, but I started a company!", she has believed in what we do, owns one of the first quilts we made and has shared our work on her social media platform, and organically becoming one of the biggest influencers and advocates for my company.

How have you perfected what you make? Time and practice.  Over time, our methods have become more streamlined, and through practice, we are able to take on challenges with the confidence that what we make is quality and has the durability to last for generations to come. 

Has this growth been easy? Easy, hell no.  Because it has required a lot of patience.  Patience when poor decisions have been made. Patience to perfect our sewing.  Patience to learn how to operate the machinery.  Patience for sales to be made.  Patience for people to like our product and believe in what we do.  Patience when life happens and time does not allow for the focus that the business needed.  Patience to find a like minded team who doesn't just sew, but works from the heart.  But, the one saving grace is that from the beginning, we allowed the company's growth to happen in it's own time, in God's time.  And so, the patience has been hard, but never stressful.  

What advice would you give based on your own experience? Slow and steady wins.  A shotgun start with record growth will tire soon.  Pumping funds into the hopes of a successful business may leave pockets empty.  Take baby steps. Small, but steady. Put love into what you do. And the results will speak for themselves.  

What are your goals as a business? Our biggest goal is to keep doing what we are doing, keeping the same attention to detail and methods of making as we continue to grow.  We will always be a team of makers that laugh and cry together as we create each quilt.  We will always put our hearts into what we do.

What does the future hold for you? We will always continue to create huggable memories through our heritage quilts. We also make a line of hooded towels with the same attention to detail as our quilts are made. In addition to that, who knows....we are always up for a challenge!

Give us three tips you've learned as a maker that can be applied to everyday life. When you come to a bump in the road, use it as an opportunity to increase your capability.  Always think positive by putting your mind on the results you are aspiring to achieve.  Gratitude keeps your success in check and ensures that your drive is coming from the heart.

How do you find the divide between work and personal? That's a million dollar question for me.  With four of the six kids at home with me, (now all day since the quarantine), a lot of my in home studio work is done in small segments of time when I see the opportunity.  It has taken me literally years to be able to do my work and be present for their needs as well.  But, on top of those stolen moments, it helps to keep to more of a rhythm than a schedule.  It's a rhythm where I know what parts of the day I can dedicate to each, but not so much of a rigid schedule, so that bumps and changes can be accommodated for more easily.  Being able to flow with the moment is key. 

Why should we support and buy maker and American made? Buying something from a maker gives you an item that is not as easy to come by, and it gives a maker the opportunity to keep creating something that is otherwise not available in mass.  And in today's world of tension and confusion, purchasing from a fellow American is a way to give a pat on the back to our struggling nation in hopes that the roots that made us will stay strong.

How do you ensure quality of your brand and your products? We have refined our methods to the point of confidence in our work.  Everything is looked over closely and pre-washed to ensure stability to be washed and used often!  

Is flannel always in season? Flannel is most definitely always in season.  Even in Florida.  In fact, anyone ever seen a good flamingo flannel?  Asking for a friend.  

How do you live authentically? Focus on what is important to you and not what the world says is important.  Let your inner passions and talents lead you, being mindful as to what influences your work.  

You can find Vintage Giggles products for purchase on their website or follow their work on Instagram. For custom requests contact threads@vintagegiggles.com.

American Flag Etiquette

In so many of my photos you will find an American flag. I have just always been drawn to it as a form of iconography and Americana. Over the years I have learned the hard way about having proper flag etiquette, this year I wanted to share a bit of proper flag etiquette as provided by the VFW. The following is an except from the VFW.

Basic American Flag Etiquette

On Same Staff 
U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag. 

Grouped 
U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. 

Marching 
U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left). 

On Speaker's Platform
When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right. 

Decoration
Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red. 

Salute
All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. 

Over a Street Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street. 

Half Staff
On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised. 

Special RulesDo not let the flag touch the ground. 
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency. 
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it. 
Do not use the flag as clothing. 
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty. 
Do not use it as a cover. 
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free. 
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag. 

Illumination Guidelines
Per Federal Flag Code, Section 2, paragraph (a), it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

A Trip to Hudson Woods

A dwelling nestled among the Catskill's.

A place where nature meets design.

---

hudsonwoods.com @hudsonwoodsny

Dream of a place, a place where autumn lasts just a little bit longer. The season sets on early as the summer humidity lays in favor of crisp nights and fresh air. The feel that the eternal spirit of autumn is coming. Wildflowers fill the valleys and pastures of the mountain sides, the landscapes become washed with vibrant goldenrod, the deep reds of the Sumac trees, and the black eyed susans that pop up along the winding roadways. Autumn is coming to the Hudson Valley. Many of us have been waiting all year for the first signs of changing leaves, the first signs of apples ripening on the weather worn trees, and the first signs of the many festive weekends to come.

Long winding roads, the kind of roads that you took as a child…big bench back seat, sliding across the leather seats…legs too short to touch the floor. Windows down, the sun shining, the radio dial tuned in to Glen Miller. A Pontiac, a Ford, a 1941 Plymouth with that gas station sticker still in the window, a reminder of the leaner days. The spirit and the imagery is there, the narrative is universal. Autumn comes a little earlier in the Catskills, the Maples start to show their color round about the same time as the goldenrod hits peak color. The autumn lasts a little longer here too. The final colors of the season fade and fall as the frigid days sit in, as Christmas trees are chopped and laboriously tied to the roofs of cars or haphazardly tied in the back of old wooden bed pickup trucks.

Here the season is more than just the changing of the leaves and temperatures, it’s a way of life and a season that is prepared for all year. The mountains and their hollers and many cool spring fed lakes are filled with old fashioned boats and canoes and levity all summer long. Rich greens meet the rich browns and shadows of the forest floors. Autumn though, autumn is a sea of color, a warmth of the spirit, and the idea that nesting season is coming. Pumpkins are gathered, apples are picked, oh so many glorious apples are picked from the aged trees that cascade down the hills and dot the landscapes.

Short swim trunks and leather soled sandals are replaced with clothing designed and produced from nature’s bounty. The purity of the wools, flannels, and leathers bring a naturalness to the season and a knowledge that these timeless pieces were produced by the earth and crafted by the hands of man to created garments designed to cloak and shield man from the chill of the season.

The Catskills are a vast region that is filled with nature, endless nature, history, culture, a dynamic mix of people, and landscapes that invite you in and ask, if not implore you to explore.

That love of nature and upstate New York led us to Hudson Woods Hudson Woods has long been on our radar. Back a couple years ago Paige went for a visit on a frigid early December weekend. Since then we’ve been itching to go ourselves.

Hudson Woods is actually a residential community outside Kerhonkson, New York. The tag line is “where design meets nature” and it truly feels that way as soon as you enter the development. The property designed by Lang Architecture and Brick and Wonder is designed to be a weekend escape from New York city for those that love modern design and the sanctuary of nature. Over the past few years the show house has been used for countless photo shoots and architectural studies. The home is largely built and furnished with materials and goods from regional makers and craftsmen.

I wanted to start this Catskills travel guide series by sharing a few of my favorite images from the home. Our next piece in the series will be a conversation with Hort and Pott, the landscape design studio and shop in the nearby town of Oak Hill, New York.

The home itself is designed to be one of those that compliments the landscape and has a feel that says…. I coexist here, I am a part of this lands story, this land isn’t mine, but I am its. A simple timeless frame holds a home that is so well designed that you will feel an otherworldly experience just by touching the doorknobs.