West Bloomfield

Potters Market takes shape for holidays

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo provided by the Potters Market Brian Migdal of West Bloomfield will be one of several artists from the greater West Bloomfield area who will be participating in the Potters Market in Madison Heights Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Photo provided by the Potters Market Brian Migdal of West Bloomfield will be one of several artists from the greater West Bloomfield area who will be participating in the Potters Market in Madison Heights Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

MADISON HEIGHTS — Local artists are shaping up to sell their earthenware and pots at the 37th Annual Potters Market Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Madison Heights.

According to event organizers, the holiday pottery show usually draws more than 9,000 customers throughout its annual run. This year’s show boasts a selection of almost 40,000 pottery pieces from 138 artists who manage and stock their own displays and stations.

Organizers promise a wide variety of clay and porcelain offerings for sale, such as tiles, sculptures, pots, vases, lamps and bird baths. They say prices generally vary between $5 and $400, and many smaller pieces are no higher than $30.

For artist Sara Frank of West Bloomfield, the Potters Market gives her a chance to sell ceramic tiles, bowls, beaded necklaces and planters with natural and floral motifs. She also plans to sell Judaica, such as menorahs, just in time for Hanukkah.

She described much of her work as labor-intensive.

“Just one planter could take three days of work,” she said. “Even for the drying process, you have to wait for something to perfectly dry before you put it in the kiln.”

Frank said she has been part of the show for almost 10 years and has been successful. She added that people often queue up in long lines around the room at certain points of the shows, in order to get first dibs.

“Everything is unique, everything is handmade,” she said. “Things are different from what you might find in a retail store because everybody has their own original ideas.”

As a potter since 2007, Diane Wedhorn Gerds of Commerce Township is promising to bring a fluid theme to her clay. She said her trays, mugs, jewelry, vases and ornaments often include motifs of fish, shells and water.

“I focus on using a lot of texture and multiple combinations of glazes, so the glazes interact differently on each piece, so each piece is unique,” she said.

West Bloomfield artist Brian Migdal is looking forward to selling his artistic and functional stoneware bowls.

“It is a great opportunity to surround myself with at least 130-140 ceramic artists, as well as to enjoy spending time with the public,” he said. “It’s a great camaraderie between customers and artists.”

The 37th Annual Potters Market will open from Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the United Food and Commercial Workers’ Union Hall, 876 Horace Brown Drive, in Madison Heights. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free, but strollers are prohibited.

In addition, a preview night will occur from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 29. Admission to the preview sale is $10. To find out more, call (248) 554-5570.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.