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In March 2024, Danforth started up a pottery studio in our Middlebury, Vermont headquarters. We have spent many years correcting people when we say “pewter” and they ask, “pottery?” Finally we can say, “Yes, pottery!” We’re excited about this expansion and diversification, and are thrilled to be able to introduce the stoneware product line to our customers.

Why Pottery?

The pottery business had formerly been known as Pizzazz Pottery, a Fair Haven, VT institution for over two decades. Caren Helm, founder of Pizzazz, was looking to retire and wanted to see her business continue. We had met with Caren about some potential collaborations during the prior year, so she reached out to Danforth as she contemplated her next steps.

Danforth was started during the 1970s, when the American Craft movement was experiencing a resurgence. We are committed to continuing American Craft traditions at production scale, and Pizzazz’s business was a good fit for our mission. Like Danforth Pewter, Danforth Pottery is making each and every piece by hand, carrying on traditions of artisanship that are taught person to person. 

American Craft at Production Scale

“Craft production” is increasingly rare in America these days. Considerable work goes into producing something handmade, like Danforth’s pewter goods or pottery. Each and every piece is created and processed one at a time. Although certain parts of the process can be done with some small-scale mass-production techniques, we’re still talking about many dozen at a time, not many thousand.

Looking Forward

Pottery production is very different than pewter production, but our team has learned a lot over the past months. We are fortunate to have several former Pizzazz employees who stayed with the business bringing their expertise into our new studio. They are continuing to hand-throw pieces with the clean, farmhouse-style lines that Pizzazz was known for.

Danforth’s stores have been carrying our new stoneware since late summer. We have just introduced some of the most popular items on our website and will be adding more, including some fantastic holiday gift options, over the coming weeks. If you’ve enjoyed your morning coffee or tea out of a Danforth mug, let us know what you think!

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