I'm not exactly sure why, but I absolutely love candle holders, dishes, ceramic figurines and the like.  I believe I currently have about 6 different sets of Christmas dishes and it wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit to get another set.  We won't even get into how many different candle holders, candle sticks and ceramic bakeware that I own, because I wouldn't even know where to begin.  That's why I was so happy to find out that I would be reviewing some of the fine ceramic items handcrafted in Virginia by Emerson Creek Pottery.

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Emerson Creek Pottery artisans are continuing the American tradition of pottery making in a contemporary way. The property on which Emerson Creek Pottery sits was originally a 500-acre land grant from the King of England.

Influenced by the energy of Early American cobalt decoration, owners Priscilla Palmer and Jim Leavitt founded Emerson Creek Pottery in 1977. Priscilla developed the unique technique of applying natural pigments to an absorbent glaze with a Japanese Sumi-e brush. The spontaneity of the brush stroke, combined with the accuracy of design yields our distinctively recognizable style. Priscilla's deep love of the natural world provides a multitude of organic designs for all of Emerson Creek's pottery.

Our ceramic pottery has been featured at Monticello, Mt. Vernon and the Smithsonian Institute, as well as in fine homes across America. We have had the pleasure of designing customized pottery patterns for numerous clubs and organizations.

Our pottery is formed of clay made on site. Each piece is hand made, hand painted and fired in a gas kiln. Each pattern is a series of carefully planned strokes. No templates or stencils are used. The patterns are practiced and committed to memory. The artists paint the pattern again and again. Each piece is alike and yet different, like flowers in a field. We are currently featuring 14 different lines of ceramic pottery, including our beloved signature line - Field of Iris, a classic since 1977. All of our work is microwave and dishwasher safe, lead free and ovenproof.

In order to facilitate my review, I was sent a ceramic tart burner in the cranberry design. I really liked how well the tart burner was wrapped for shipment.  This ensured that my ceramic piece would arrive IN ONE PIECE!  Next, I was impressed at how hefty a piece of pottery this was.  I've bought several tart burners over the years and sometimes they are quite frail and flimsy.  This wasn't the case with the Emerson Creek Pottery tart burner.  It seemed impervious to chipping or cracking since it was so thick overall.

The tart burner measured 5 inches high and had a simple cranberry and vine type design hand-painted on the side.  Personally, I wish the design would have been a tad more intricate, but that is just my own personal preference.  I also noticed a few minor imperfections on the exterior of the burner.  There was a small blue smudge that wouldn't wipe off as well as another tiny chip in the neck of the burner.  This can be expected with handmade pottery though, and just adds to the character and charm of the piece.  The tart burner sat very nicely on my table and will be used, especially around the holidays due to the cranberry design, for many years to come!

STRENGTHS:

• Very thick piece of pottery that will withstand continuous use
• Hand-painted design
• Microwave and dishwasher safe
• Ovenproof
• Lead free
• Made in the USA

WEAKNESSES:

• Minor imperfections on piece

If you are a fan of ceramic items, I would suggest giving Emerson Creek Pottery a try.  They have a myriad of products they make in 14 different patterns.  Your pottery will arrive safely and will be made with such quality that it will last for many years to come.