Calling all pottery lovers!!!
There’s magic in handmade pottery. And while I don’t know a thing about ‘centering’ the clay myself, I have a great appreciation for it. The glazing, shapes, colors and artistry of it all.
A few weeks ago a friend and I meandered country roads south to Merrimack, MA to visit Purple Sage Pottery.
I first discovered Purple Sage when Jon and I were celebrating our 15th anniversary (nearly a decade ago!) with a quick getaway to Newburyport, MA. We spied a gorgeous fish platter peeking from a little boutique window. The rest is history. 🙂
The fish platter we bought was thrown by potter Iris Minc from Purple Sage Pottery. I’ve since visited her shop in Merrimack and added (very slowly!) to my collection through the years.
This maple chai tea latte recipe I posted a few years ago was just right in this mug. Your hands fit perfectly around it, just right. And filled with something warm and delicious in wintertime, it’s an experience in itself. Especially when the white stuff falls outside the window pane. Downright cozy!
And this batter bowl by Iris was included in my recent omelette recipe!
Twice yearly Purple Sage hosts an open house with many different potters displaying and selling their wares. That’s why we went down a few weeks ago, for the open house.
Purple Sage also offers pottery classes and space for potters to work at the wheel and fire their pieces.
While Iris glazes with many different colors, my favorite is the purple/turquoise. I think it’s called sea foam. In fact, her fish platter above was the inspiration piece for decorating our new kitchen!
I’ve never been much of a collector. Not stamps or baseball cards or even teapots. Maybe teddy bears as a kid. But we enjoyed using our fish serving platter so much. And then I got two mugs. (And then someone who will remain unnamed broke one! Eek.) And then I got three more. (See what I did there?) And most recently, the small batter bowl…
So perhaps I’m becoming a collector after all. It’s a great experience using these pieces, reminiscing about our anniversary trip to Newburyport and subsequent visits to Purple Sage Pottery.
Are you a pottery lover too? My son Charlie (12) has taken a few pottery classes at the Currier Art Center downtown and loves it. And I have friends who throw pottery. (Maybe someday it will be me.)
Have a super weekend, and if you’re ever in this neck of the woods, take a little detour off the beaten path and drop by Purple Sage Pottery.
Tina says
Oh, friend! You know I’m drooling! It’s all beautiful. I always struggle to pick my favorite piece & color!
Allie says
Tina – we would have a hay day at this shop. I’m thinking of the time you and Carrie and I were in Hendersonville visiting pottery shops… that was such a wonderful trip, and I bought a tiny green mug as a keepsake. Every time I use it I think of us and our sweet time together. XO
Susie Mandel says
You had me at purple! My two favorite colors are blue and purple and anything in between, so turquoise is included. Those colors are so beautiful and cheery in your magnificent kitchen. 🙂
Allie says
So you’re a purple girl too, huh? I really do love these colors Susie, they’re just mentally up lifting. Would love to take you on a field trip to Purple Sage Pottery sometime. I know you’d love it. 🙂
Tracy says
Oh Allie! This place is now one of my favorite things!! Thanks for sharing! I’m so glad your batter bowl is working out nicely. I love the colors. Those colors work so wonderfully in your beautiful kitchen. 😊
Allie says
Hi Tracy – It was a fun trip and I’m so glad we went. We’ll definitely have to do it again sometime soon. I’m loving my new mugs too! Just beautiful. XO
Aunt Margie says
Pottery calls me, too. Maybe sometime I’ll visit Purple Sage Pottery; or maybe just on line, in my dreams…or at your house! Inspiring post, sweet Allie!
Allie says
Thank you Auntie M – I know you are a pottery lover too. What’s not to love? Hope I see you very soon. XO
Carol says
Hi Allie! I am in love with the fish platter. It is just beautiful. We have a pottery maker down the road from us and he operates during summer. I have stopped there and the pieces he had were not something I was thrilled with and the pieces were very pricey. The shop you are talking about here looks much nicer, for sure, I would just love to see it all.
Oh we are finally getting some nice weather -the weekend was cool and I am hoping that we are seriously into summer. I am hoping to get into the greenhouse this coming week and get it organized. Our bathroom project is seriously underway! Oh, exciting to see!Have a beautiful week!
Allie says
Thank you Carol!! I love that fish platter too. Maybe when you make your trip this way you can drop by Purple Sage. Glad to hear you are having beautiful weather too, I just took Miss Chloe for a walk and all she wanted to do was roll in the grass. LOL. I really need the exercise (and so does she!) and she stops every five minutes to get a back rub in the grass. Or sometimes even on the street. Can’t wait to hear more about your bathroom renovation and what you end up planting in the greenhouse. I’m thinking of planting our little garden plot this coming Monday – tomatoes, peas, peppers etc. Hosting an 80th birthday party for my M-I-L this Saturday, so planting will not happen then! Have a great week my friend!
Adina says
Beautiful things! I like pottery too, I buy new things every chance I get and I go for blue most of the times. 🙂 We used to have a pottery near by some time ago and I bought quite a few things there, unfortunately it doesn’t exist anymore, I think the woman making the stuff is too old in the meantime. But I still find other nice things at markets or fleemarkets.
Allie says
Thank you Adina, beautiful pottery isn’t hard to love! Too bad you lost your pottery store nearby, but that will probably save you some money! I find I can’t go into Purple Sage too often, it’s too tempting!
Catherine says
Oh how beautiful! So many gorgeous pieces…I would have so much fun shopping around there! I love the colors too. My niece took a few pottery classes and I have always been interested in trying it. I wish I were artsier!
Hope you have been well dear…I know you must be busy with the school year ending and summer nearly here. Have a beautiful day. XO, Catherine
Allie says
Thank you so much Catherine. Perhaps your canvas is your camera? I think so anyway. 🙂 You’re right, things are well here but busier than ever with end of school activities. I went on a field trip with Charlie yesterday to Salem, MA. I’m so glad it’s almost summer. It was a long winter here with lots of sickness, and I’m not sorry to say goodbye to the germs and snow. Hope things are well with your family, Catherine. God bless- XO
Liz says
The pops of color are SO pretty in your white kitchen. What fun pottery to collect!
Allie says
Thank you Liz, it’s a fun shop and I can’t visit too often for obvious reasons…. too much temptation!!! lol
Kathy says
Hi Allie, I love the photo of your kitchen– It’s sooo beeautiful! The gorgeous fish platter look inccredible on your counter.
Allie says
Hi Kathy!!!! Thank you so much. I think the fish platter really makes it – it commands a lot of attention in that spot. Do you also make pottery? I know you’re very talented in many mediums….
Kathy says
Hi Allie, Thanks for asking!! No, I don’t make pottery, but enjoyed it in school and college. 🙂
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
Oh Allie – I love pottery too (even though I don’t know anything about making or firing or placing them) and these pieces by Purple sage pottery are simply GORGEOUS! Haha – I’m glad to hear you got 3 more cups after one was accidentally broken! I wish I lived closer so I could spend hours at PSP! Happy Wednesday to you! Hoping it is nice and warm up there – xoxo
Eva says
J’aurais pu rester longtemps dans cette boutique ! J’adore la faïence. Ton poisson va à merveille avec ta nouvelle cuisine 😉 xoxo