We have a new employee, who started shortly after school ended. Haley is 16 years old & this is her first job. Over the many years I've been doing this (not to mention in my previous life) I've hired many "first timers". It's pretty amazing to have the opportunity to watch someone just starting on a path that often has no set direction. Eventually all move on, but many pop in or keep me posted & a few still work at the store occasionally as their schedules allow. But all have proved to be extraordinary people I am proud to know.

 In any case, Haley & I spent a good part of last Friday exploring glass blowing. Starting with Dale Chihuly's  website, which includes some wonderful video footage. Watching videos at the store is always a bit of a challenge since we have no speakers hooked up, so too much talking heads is a bit pointless. We also found a couple of wonderful videos by our good friends at Art of Fire Contemporary Glass Studio (www.artoffire.com) in Laytonsville. While I'm sure there is some great narration included, we still were able to follow along & gain even more appreciation for the art of blowing glass. 

I think the next time Haley works we'll look for some videos of ceramic artists.

As we prepare to enter our 20th year in the craft business, I look around the shop and see the many artisans that we've represented from the beginning. I know how old I am, so have a pretty good idea how old they must be! For the last several years I have worried about what to do as people start to retire. Until recently, an unfounded fear. Which brings me to some sad news.

About a month ago word came down that Kent & Libby Follette are retiring by the end of 2012. While they look for a buyer for their property*, situated on 10.7 of the most beautiful acres in north Louisiana, Kent will continue to only make the Bread & Oil Plate in the Flambeaux Glaze & a small bowl that can be used with it to make a chip and dip. Our order has just arrived & we have some absolutely stunning pieces.

For as long as I can remember Kent has produced some of the most well-loved, time tested pottery the store has carried, including the incomparable "wish bowl". With potter, Bill Campbell, the crystalline glaze we sell under the Flambeaux Art Pottery label was born, adding another dimension to an already solid body of work. Almost as well know for his cooking as his pots, pieces often included Kent's own recipes. How many recall his Ice-cream Bread or Beer-can chicken? Replacing a "staple" is a very difficult task. So many of the very talented young potters are just not creating the same broad range of beautiful, approachable, super-functional; dishwasher, microwave & ovenproof work or just aren't set up for the level of production necessary to sell wholesale. His shoes will be hard to fill.

Luckily, we had received work from Kent not too long ago, so have a nice (if select) group of Follette Pottery. Don't delay, because this work has now moved into the collectible class of American made pottery.

Part of the sadness of this news, is that shortly, there will be no more excuses to call and talk to Kent & Libby on the phone or visit at the shows. The Follette's are those salt-of-the-earth, solid people that just make the world feel grounded. I will miss them as much as I will miss the wonderful pots they've created since the beginning of time! So with a heavy heart, here's wishing them well into this next moment in time!

---Deborah

* The property includes a 2300 sq ft home full of Kent Follette original floor tiles and bath sinks.  Three bedrooms, two baths, a lot of storage and a deck that meanders down to a large, well-stocked pond are just the beginning of what is available.  Two “workshops” totaling 3800 sq ft are equipped with industrial wiring and gas lines.  The 900 sq ft building houses the gift shop/office and can be whatever you need. -- interested, just call us & we'll hook you up with Kent & Libby!