February 7, 2010

Completely Seduced

c. 1992-1998 Bill Campbell 9" Twisted Vase, small K11, $85.00

You will be completely seduced by this Bill Campbell vase. His use of vibrant colors and an elegant crisp form draws you into his playful world. Bill has been a potter for over 30 years experimenting and creating unique glazes that allow light to dance over the surface of his vessel. His work references the fluid forms and colors of  L. C. Tiffany.

Created in 1992 and produced until 1998, the K11 small “Twisted Vase” has been retired from production. The unique twisting pattern draws your eye around and around the vase enticing you with the changes in color. This 9″ vase has a dry bottom and is signed by Mr. Campbell. (The signature is unfortunately barely visible, but there nonetheless.)

Bill Campbell 9" "Twisted Vase" Dry Bottom & Signature

Bill Campbell 9" "Twisted Vase" Top Detail

Mr. Campbell works in his studio, a converted old powerhouse, in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. In his biography that appears on his website he writes, “My motive in making pottery is not terribly noble.  I merely try to cause a little celebration in everyday living. You can’t imagine what I feel when my customers tell me how much they enjoy using my pots in their daily routine. When designing pots, I am always aware of the possibilities and limitations of the wonderful/dreadful layered glaze I employ. An enigmatic mistress, it is very fussy about the body it resides upon.  It often crawls, blisters and crazes and the color isn’t always reliable. Though demanding, it is however, just too vibrant and exciting to simply dismiss as too troublesome.”

c. 1992-1998 Bill Campbell 9" Twisted Vase, small K11, $85.00

Billy Blue Eye Pottery is proud to offer this beautiful example of Mr. Campbells’ work for $85.00. For more information and/or to purchase this vase, contact us directly at billyblueeye@cox.net.  We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Pay Pal and offer a full refund if not satisfied.  The vase is in excellent condition and other than than fading signature has no imperfections. We would like to offer a huge “thank you” to our friends Linda and Carl in Georgia and to Judith, who has worked for Campbell Studios for eighteen years, for their kind assistance in researching this vase.

For further information on Bill Campbell, his pottery and a gallery of his work, visit his website.

February 2, 2010

Beswick Pottery’s “Zorba” Sixteen Piece Coffee Service Contains Strong Greek Inspiration.

c. 1970-73 Beswick Pottery "Zorba" 16 piece Coffee Service $190.00

Pottery designer Graham Tongue created the thirty-two items for the “Zorba” dinnerware line of England’s Beswick Pottery in 1968. The name itself conjures up Greek origins and visions of passionate dancing complete with plate breaking. Offered here is the sixteen piece Coffee Service produced by the company from 1970 to 1973.  Originally produced in two colorways, brown and olive green, both in a gloss finish. The decoration used geometric shapes of circles and triangles to create a border pattern for various “modern” shapes.

c.1970-73 Beswick Pottery "Zorba" Coffee Server

The brown finish, called “bronze,” was probably the “in color” at the time, and this is the color most often found today. The bronze items came in different combinations, one shade all over, dark brown and light brown (like this set), or in some cases three shades of brown. The dark brown has a satin matte finish.

Beswick "Zorba" Coffee Server Lid Detail

Beswick "Zorba" Coffee Server Bottom - Mold # 2211 & Backstamp

Beswick Pottery was founded by James Wright Beswick in 1896 although some historians say 1894. In 1898 a premises was opened on Gold Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England, still the home of Beswick today although it operates under the umbrella of the Royal Doulton Group.

Beswick "Zorba" Open Sugar Bowl & Cream Jug Set

Throughout most of the 20th Century Beswick created beautifully decorated quick-selling lines of vases, pots, jugs, tea pots, trinkets and dinnerware. An early (1930) ad line read, “Everything the householder needs in earthenware”. The company employed many noted pottery designers including James Hayward, Albert Hallam, Mr. Symcox, and Mr. Watkin. These men were always given credit for their lines and many early collectors followed a specific designer.  To this day the best resourse book on the company, The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Beswick Pottery, by Diana and John Callow gives designer credit on each item featured in their excellent reference book.  In 1969  Beswick was sold to the Royal Doulton Group.

Beswick "Zorba" Set of Six Cups & Saucers

Billy Blue Eye Pottery is proud to offer this sixteen piece Coffee Service for $190.00. For more information and/or to purchase this great set, contact us directly at billyblueeye@cox.net.  We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Pay Pal and offer a full refund if not satisfied.  This set is in excellent condition with no imperfections.  We wish you all, as the Beswick Collectors Circle used to say, “Happy Beswicking”.

January 19, 2010

$60.00 Raised for the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund on Sunday.

Even though the rain cut the day short, we were able to raise $60.00 at the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market this past Sunday. A very special thank you to Julia B., Kristin O., Norman K., Robert P. and an Anonymous donor for their contributions to the relief efforts of the American Red Cross in Haiti.

The next Long Beach Flea Market will be held on February 21st. For information watch this space or contact us directly at billyblueeye@cox.net.

January 16, 2010

10% of All Sales at Long Beach Flea Market to be Donated to the American Red Cross.

These two terrific Red Wing Art Pottery vases dating from 1925 will be featured at the January 17th Long Beach  Antique & Collectible Market.  Billy Blue Eye Pottery located in space #A-853 will be donating 10% of all purchases made to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. This donation will be made on behalf of the purchaser and a tax receipt will be provided.

Red Wing Art Pottery c.1925-35 "Crackle Yellow" Glazed 12.25" Vase with embossed flowers, $400.00

For further information contact us directly at billyblueeye@cox.net or for Flea Market information visit http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com. Help us raise money to fund the massive relief efforts needed by the Haitian people. We hope to see you tomorrow!

Red Wing Art Pottery c.1925-35 "Crackle Yellow" Glazed 7" Bulbous Vase with Embossment, $175.00

January 15, 2010

Recently Acquired McCoy Pottery Vases Make Debut at the Long Beach Flea Market this Sunday.

Four Mid-Century McCoy Vases

c.1961 McCoy "Harmony" 9.25" Vase $60.00 (left) SOLD, c.1961 McCoy "Harmony" 6" Goblet Vase $45.00 (right) SOLD

Billy Blue Eye recently acquired four mid-century McCoy Pottery vases that will be available this Sunday, January 17th, at the Long Beach  Antique & Collectible Market.  Held from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM in the Veteran’s Stadium Parking lot, visit our green and white tent,  booth A-853. These vases are auction fresh and are in excellent condition.

c.1956 McCoy "Brocade" 7.25" Bud Vase $45.00

In addition to McCoy Pottery, Billy Blue Eye will have over 300 pottery items for sale including Roseville, Weller, Beswick, Royal Haeger, Van Briggle, Red Wing, Catalina, Bauer, and Rookwood vases, bowls, wall pockets and art objects.

10% of all sales made on Sunday will be donated in the buyers name to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. This donation will be tax deductible in accordance with IRS rules and regulations. A receipt for each donation will be provided.

c.1958 McCoy "Garden Club" 6.25" x 7" Vase, mold #309, $48.00

For more information or to purchase any of these great vases, contact us directly at billyblueeye@cox.net. We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and Pay Pal and 10% of purchases made before January 20th from this website will be donated to the American Red Cross. Orders over $200.00 are shipped free .

For additional information on the Long Beach Flea Market contact us or visit their website http://www.longbeachantiquemarket.com. We hope to see you on Sunday!

December 19, 2009

Purple Cows, Roseville, Peters & Reed; A Preview of Treasures at Long Beach Flea Market

c.1935-45 Brayton-Laguna Pottery, 3 Piece Purple Bovine Family includes a Bull, Cow and Calf, $399.00 set

Pictured here are some of the newly acquired treasures being offered tomorrow, Sunday, December 20th at the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market.  Held from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM in the Veteran’s Stadium Parking lot, visit our green and white tent,  booth A-853. We will be featuring Roseville, McCoy, Hull, Van Briggle, Catalina, Beswick, Bauer, Brayton-Laguna, Red Wing and many more vintage and antique pottery companies.  See you there! Happy Holidays from Billy Blue Eye.

c.1912-20 8" "Aztec" Wall Pocket signed (Frank) Ferrell - Mold #160, $145.00 SOLD

Roseville, c. 1915-20 "Carnelian II" Pillow Vase, Mold #64-2-5, $385.00 SOLD

December 17, 2009

Great Holiday Shopping at the Long Beach Flea Market this Sunday

Billy Blue Eye Pottery & Paintings offers a wide selection of gifts from Stocking Stuffers to Hostess Gifts to Exquisite Collectible Fine Art Pottery.  You can find us this  Sunday, December 20th at the Long Beach Antique & Collectible Market.   It is located at the Long Beach Veteran’s Stadium, Conant Street, just East of Lakewood Boulevard.  Find us in the green and white tent in booth A-853. The hours are from 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM and admission is $5.00. For more information contact us at BillyBlueEye@cox.net.

December 11, 2009

On the Second Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me…

…two Rookwood Bookends.

c. 1948 Pair of 5.75" Rookwood Pottery Bookends $375.00

c. 1948 Pair of 5.75" Rookwood Bookends $375.00

This pair of Wise Owl Bookends  will guard your precious collection of books  or grace your desk with their learned presence. Created  in 1948 by the Cincinnati, Ohio  Rookwood Pottery Company they are a wonderful example of the rich detail and respected craftsmanship used by Rookwood in the creation of their pottery treasures.

c. 1948 Rookwood Owl Bookends Mold # 2655 Side View

The pair, created from mold # 2655, stand 5.75″ high and are in very good condition. There are no cracks, chips, glaze flakes or previous repairs. There is some crazing that is to be expected from items this age.  They are referenced on page 228 of  A Price Guide to Rookwood edited by L-W Book Sales. The mold was originally created in 1935.  The 1999 suggested value was $500.00 to $550.00. We are offering this pair at a special Holiday price of $375.00. (Good until December 31, 2009.)

Bottom Markings: Rookwood Logo, XLVIII (Date 1948), 2655 (Mold Number)

Billy Blue Eye is offering free shipping (USPS Insured Priority Mail) on these items and we accept Visa and Master Card.  To order please contact us at BillyBlueEye@cox.net. We guarantee that you will be 100% satisfied or your money back.  Happy Holidays from Billy Blue Eye!

c. 1948 Rookwood Owl Bookends Rear View

December 10, 2009

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me…

…a Satin Blue Stangl Wall Pocket.

c. 1938-41 - 7" x 6.75" Satin Blue "Leaves" Wall Pocket $100.00

This terrific Wall Pocket was recently added to our inventory just in time for Holiday Gift giving.  It was created by the Stangl Pottery Company of Trenton, New Jersey in 1938 as part of their Solid-Color Artware, Giftware & Novelties product line.

Stangl Pottery, formed by the consolidation of Hill and Fulper Potteries of Flemington, New Jersey, was the life-long passion and creation of Martin Stangl and from 1924 until 1978 he developed and produced a great assortment of earthenware, lamps, artware, figurines, dinnerware and special-order products.

c.1938-41 Stangl Blue "Leaves" Wall Pocket Back Side

This great gift is ready to be shipped to your Holiday “True Love” or to be added to your own pottery collection.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or previous repairs.  Some mild crazing is present; normal for a seventy year old treasure. Contact us to arrange shipment or for more information at BillyBlueEye@cox.net. Happy Holidays from Billy Blue Eye!

December 6, 2009

6 Tips on How to Display Your Pottery Collection

1.  Be dramatic.

2.  Use lighting creatively.   Highlight a favorite work with a pin spot or acknowledge it during the day with sunlight splashed across it.

3.  Group like with like or alternatively, let opposites attract.  It is the communication between disparate styles/potters that can heighten the individuality of each work.

4.  Integrate with other objects.   Silver, brass, paintings, plants, glassware, seashells, rocks/found objects are fine complements to pottery.

5.  Balance color palettes.  Place cool or hot colors together for one effect, but don’t be afraid to juxtapose colors for a surprising effect.

6.  Use your pottery daily.  Vases, plates, bowls, candle holders all were made to be used.

We are always looking for new display ideas.  Please share yours with us and we will post the most creative.