Now THAT'S Custom-Made!

One of the things I love about being in the land of artisans is the wonderful opportunity to order customized items.  If you go in a shop and love an item, but would prefer x to be y, you ask and it can generally be done. Well, today it was taken one step further.

Michael's napkin ring

Mine is the one by itself at the bottom

My in-laws have arrived (welcome, Jim & Sharon!), so Sharon and I went to Deruta today...I had to pick up my (custom) olive oil jar made by Cristina.  At the same time, I was taking my beloved mug (a present from Bonnie and Bob -- thank you!) back to my little old lady who made it because obviously I needed a teapot to match (my older one has developed a crack; overuse injury, possibly?).

The way the ceramics work in Deruta is that the forms (blanks? Called biscotti here -- they are bisque-fired objects in clay) are purchased from a factory's catalog by the artist, who then uses glazes and an immense amount of talent and artistic vision to create designs and beauty.  The best objects are those whose forms really work with the pattern on top.  Given that we are starting with a particular pattern in mind to match my mug, it was important that we find a form that would work well.

She and I pulled out the catalog and discussed the merits of the various forms available. It didn't take her long to say, "This is silly...with the size you want, we'll just get my son-in-law to make it."  As in, he would hand-build the teapot itself just for me!  How cool is that? He happened to enter at that moment, so she pulled him over, he made a sketch or two, and -- no problem!

While I was there, I couldn't possibly go home empty handed (Michael would be so disappointed if I didn't have more stuff to put in the house).  So from my sweet old lady, I picked up the napkin rings I'd asked her to make for us previously that she had promised me for today, and a fruit bowl from one of the (I think) most talented and meticulous artists in the town.  To my immense surprise, I learned today that she doesn't use a marking pencil or stencil when doing her designs (most do, if only to make sure the spacing is correct and so on!).  Incredible, as I think you'll agree on looking at the pictures.

Love,

Alexandra

All done by eye -- no pencil sketches!

Isn't the amount of detailed work stunning?

Hard to resist a footed bowl, in my opinion