about the pots  

 Click here for a slide show of how a pot is made! 

The stoneware of Thistle Hill Pottery is created with the functional tradition of the old folk potteries in mind. Each piece is designed for a specific functional use, as well as being pleasing to the eye. A full line of dinnerware, serving pieces, vases and lamps is available. I make each pot on the potter's wheel and decorate it by hand with my trademark brushwork patterns on off-white, gray, brick red, onyx, sans or jade glaze, using a variety of different brushes. The pots are then fired to 2300 degrees F. in a gas kiln I built myself at the studio.

A customer sent me this note and it tells about my pottery better than I ever could:

"Thought you might like to hear that you have a couple of fans in Tennessee. My daughter from Vermont introduced us to Thistle Hill Pottery last year. We now have 9 pieces of the lovely pottery and use it every day. I can only say that to us the pottery is art at its best. The simplicity and grace of the design and the sensibility of the forms combine to produce objects that are both beautiful and useful. Besides, the pieces recall our trips to Vermont and remind us of our young people there: beautiful, strong, and true. It must be rewarding to you to design and create pieces that touch strangers so that we are moved to write to tell you so. Keep up your good work! And thank you."

I also make burial urns. My urn website is here: handmadeburialurns.com

pottery care:

They CANNOT be used on ANY stove top, whether gas, electric or wood. If they have been refrigerated, bring to room temperature before putting in the oven. Slow, even heating is advised. Cover entire pot with food, rather than leaving part of a pot empty.

They are oven proof, dishwasher safe, leaf free, and microwave safe. The brick red glaze does get hotter than the others due to its high iron content and you may want to keep those out of the microwave.