I rarely go looking for pots in thrift stores or antique shops. I probably should because here in North Carolina there are pots all over the state and there's no reason I shouldn't find a sweet pot every now and then. But I don't really consider myself very lucky so I hardly ever try.
This weekend while at the NC Potters Conference in Asheboro, NC I was lucky! On Friday I spotted a pitcher in the Randolph Arts Guild's shop that I knew was made by the English potter Clive Bowen. I love Clive's pots and have admired the few I have gotten to handle over the years. I inquired with the shop keeper and she told me that a lady had recently brought in some pots from her collection for them to sell. I couldn't believe it. And of course I immediately bought it. (for a song).
The next day a friend told me he had seen two mugs of mine in an antique store nearby the Conference. I walked over and low and behold there were two of my salt glazed mugs for $10 each. I think they were probably made 2000-2002. I probably sold them out of the studio for $12 at that time. Ha. So I bought one and my friend Anne bought the other one.
A while back my wife Sarah found a bowl from this same time period in a shop. She wasn't sure if I'd want it but after seeing the photo she took I assured her that I did. I need to go and see if it's still there.
It doesn't bother me that my work shows up like this. Maybe the pots really didn't suit that particular person in some way. Or maybe they just needed a bit of extra money or space in their collection. Either way the pots get a second chance and in this case they are with me and I'm happy to have them.