Allison Jones
Applegarth Pottery
I began pursuing my interest in stoneware pottery back in the mid-seventies. At that time, it was all the rage and stoneware was easy to find, although seldom well made. For a number of reasons, I chose to let go of that pursuit at that time.
Meanwhile, I began raising meat animals following my own code of ethics. This was before the time of certified organic options or humanely raised animals -- few people at the time thought the quality of life of the meat animal mattered. It did matter to me and I soon found others to whom it mattered also. I have been raising poultry, pork, lamb, and beef ever since. And when, a few years back, I had the opportunity to return to the stoneware studio, it seemed natural to use my farm name -– Applegarth -– as the name of the pottery also, reflecting what I’ve been doing all these years.
In addition to farming, I also raised two wonderful sons -– both of whom have gone on to be self-employed and creative beings: one a farrier and the other a woodworker/furniture maker. My pottery is of functional design, made with lead-free glazes that are food safe. Stoneware can be used in a conventional oven or a microwave and can tolerate the dishwasher. What it doesn’t tolerate at all is sudden changes in temperature. So please remember to let a plate or casserole from the refrigerator reach room temperature before placing in the oven. Whenever possible, let the oven heat up around the plate or dish. When taking a hot pot from the oven, remember to place it on a towel or potholder -- not on the counter top -- which may not seem cold to you but which is none-the-less a sudden change in temperature for the dish.
I began pursuing my interest in stoneware pottery back in the mid-seventies. At that time, it was all the rage and stoneware was easy to find, although seldom well made. For a number of reasons, I chose to let go of that pursuit at that time.
Meanwhile, I began raising meat animals following my own code of ethics. This was before the time of certified organic options or humanely raised animals -- few people at the time thought the quality of life of the meat animal mattered. It did matter to me and I soon found others to whom it mattered also. I have been raising poultry, pork, lamb, and beef ever since. And when, a few years back, I had the opportunity to return to the stoneware studio, it seemed natural to use my farm name -– Applegarth -– as the name of the pottery also, reflecting what I’ve been doing all these years.
In addition to farming, I also raised two wonderful sons -– both of whom have gone on to be self-employed and creative beings: one a farrier and the other a woodworker/furniture maker. My pottery is of functional design, made with lead-free glazes that are food safe. Stoneware can be used in a conventional oven or a microwave and can tolerate the dishwasher. What it doesn’t tolerate at all is sudden changes in temperature. So please remember to let a plate or casserole from the refrigerator reach room temperature before placing in the oven. Whenever possible, let the oven heat up around the plate or dish. When taking a hot pot from the oven, remember to place it on a towel or potholder -- not on the counter top -- which may not seem cold to you but which is none-the-less a sudden change in temperature for the dish.