So he started helping me roll the tiles.
Then I said why don't you learn how to throw? He said I think I will.
So he took a class from Elizabeth Priddy then Steve Jepson, and off he went!
Our first series of functional pottery was fruits and vegetables, a spin off of the tiles.I don't have many photos of that work, although I do still do it occasionally.
Michael would throw the pieces, I would decorate and glaze, Michael would load the kilns.
We started with one medium size kiln and now have 4!
Through the years our styles and themes have evolved.
Sometimes I hand build pieces and decorate them with New Bern themes. Our pieces have been awarded to dignitaries from Europe and Africa, mayors, aldermen, County commissioners and so on!
Sometimes gardens and a house are my theme. Earlier in this series I talked about my calligraphy, well it has really come in handy on our pottery too.
Some of the words I put on our pieces are my own words, some are famous quotes.
One day a customer named Martha said "My niece is getting married would you put their names and date on a piece? Ding!! Since then I've personalized hundreds of pieces with bridal, anniversary, retirement, etc dates and names.
Again the inspiration and idea for these came from our customers, Martha and others, and my friend Cecelia.
- Jan Francoeur
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