Sommerville Pottery, Pulteney, NY

mark — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:08:16 +0000

Monica and Ray Sommerville are long-time potters, starting in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the late 1970s. They moved to Pulteney in 2007 where you can find them along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. They are located at 8727 Thornapple Hill Ext., Pulteney, NY, phone (607) 868-4409.

I am very impressed with their work for several reasons:

Their pottery shapes are classic
I really enjoy their glazes
They make a very wide variety of pieces
Their personalized logo pottery is a very creative and cost effective way to combine computer graphics with functional pottery. They can run small or large batches of various pieces with your custom artwork / logo.
Like my other favorite potters, they are down to earth and very interesting people

Below the photos are links to their web site, along with several YouTube videos of Monica throwing pots. If you’ve never seen pots thrown before, you might find it very interesting. Monica makes it look easy (trust me, that only comes from years of experience)

Workshop and Showroom

Great Doorbell!

Some of their pieces

Custom Mugs

Custom Cheese Boards

Custom Trivets

Sommerville Pottery’s Web Site

Video of Monica throwing pots at Artizann’s in Naples, NY

Part 2 of Monica throwing pottery

Part 3 – Monica throws a honey pot

Part 4 – Throwing a large pot for a surprise wedding gift

Havill Pottery, Branchport, NY

mark — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:37:17 +0000

Barb and Eric Havill live on a picturesque farm above Keuka Lake at 8921 Coryell Road in Branchport, NY 14418. When I met them in the early 70s, they had just made the previously abandoned farm house livable and used it for both a home and studio. Today they have a building behind their home that has both a kiln room as well as a showroom. Their work is available at their home, as well as at select local wineries. You can call ahead for an appointment, and also find their open sign along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Their phone number is (607) 868-3151.

Eric throws the pots, and Barb applies glaze painting. She typically paints hummingbirds, dragonflies, sailboats, grapes, flowers and landscapes. It is really beautiful work.

Their work is diverse, but a theme is usable and practical pottery. You can find mugs, casseroles, pitchers, lamps, various cooking and serving dishes and a wide variety of other pots.

Eric and Barb in their showroom

Eric at his car kiln

Kiln Shed and Showroom

Some of their work on display

More of their work on display

Havill page on Finger Lakes Art Trail site

Lewis at Home » Keuka Lake

Sommerville Pottery, Pulteney, NY

Havill Pottery, Branchport, NY