Adding to the Collection

It isn't often that I collect things.  Well, maybe the girls and Gary would disagree, but I really don't focus too much on one type of thing or pick up thimbles everywhere I go.  I guess I do like to buy a wine glass with the winery logo etched on the side.  But other than that....not much for a collector.

Except Alewine Pottery.

I really like the pottery at Alewine.

Maybe it is the colors.  I love the varieties of blue, the reds mixed in with the violet, the browns, and even the greens.

I like the shapes of the pieces.  The bowls, the cups, the platters - all special shapes and just right for what we need and use.

Plus each piece is unique.  A row of mixing bowls on a shelf may look alike, but each one has different color combinations, different markings, and are slightly different in size.  I enjoy picking the one that speaks to me, that will fit perfectly into our kitchen, and is the perfect size for our uses.

Usually when we visit Alewine, I state quite firmly that I will not buy anything, and then I walk out with a box packed full and taped shut.  This time, though, I knew I needed to replace a couple of items. 

The big mixing bowl and the smaller mixing bowl were both broken in the move.  I enjoy using both of those pieces and wanted to replace them. 

Then I picked up a snowflake mug.  Very pretty, special for this time of year, and it would be perfect to brew some of the flavored tea that Greta sent me for Christmas.

I also added another small vase and a soup mug.  We have a few soup bowls, but not a soup mug. I liked that concept because often we both like to drink the broth from the bowl after we finish the solid contents of the soup.  And it is a perfect size for a smaller portion.

The final piece we brought home was a butter dish.  As Robert, the potter, packed our purchases, he looked at me, smiled, then turned and picked up a butter dish and said "Merry Christmas" as he added it to the box. 

While I like to think that he remembers us, that he know we always visit the shop over the New Years Eve trip, that I have a nice collection of pieces, I know that he is just that kind of a guy.  He treats all of his customers like they are dear friends.  He wanders the shop and chats with people.  He is very accommodating. Actually I remember taking a soup bowl with us on a trip there that had lost a piece off the handle and I wanted to know how to fix it.  His solution?  He gave me a new bowl.  Free of charge.  I still have the old one too.

My eye is on a canister set.  I spotted one that would be perfect for the counter in the kitchen.  Now that we have more room and more counter space, an Alewine canister set would be perfect.  Pricey.  But perfect.

Guess I will have to start saving my money so I can buy one on the next trip!