Wednesday, June 22, 2016

4 Paws Pottery, "Pottery Inspired by Our Love of Pets" Unique Hand-Crafted Ceramics

4 Paws Pottery makes  
 lead free, and microwave/dishwasher safe ceramic items for pets and pet lovers. They can also personalize their products with the names of your pets!!  You can find their full collection of pet ornaments, and their stamp gallery, at their website: www.4pawspottery.com!
TRUE CONFESSION !! I have a major "thing" for hand-crafted ceramics. Looking back, I think it started as a child. Growing up in an artistic household, my parents had a love of hand-crafted items. From paintings, to drawings, to hand-crafted furniture, warm, cozy items filled our home. Our family had a deep appreciation for the time that is invested in any item that is handmade. In my mind, items that are hand-crafted are unique items that are to be cherished.

As I grew older attending art fairs throughout the year became one of my favorite hobbies. When I lived in Cleveland, a "must-attend" fair was the Boston Mills Art Fair that took place every July 4th weekend. I would grab a friend and head out, often returning with hand-crafted ceramic pie plates, casserole dishes and more, that to me, were much too pretty to use for how they were intended to be used.

As a blogger, when looking for items for Cody and Dakota, I also gravitate to hand-crafted. Truth be told, I am not a fan of cat or dog bowls that are stainless steel, or that have sleek modern lines. I am drawn to WARMTH. I am drawn to ceramics that are  hand-crafted with love, that can be personalized and  that make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Those are just some of the reasons that I LOVE the hand-crafted items made by 4 Paws Pottery.



My Angel Bobo had his own bowl, and Cody did too, until a few months ago when Cody's accidentally broke. I was beside myself. Then I remembered having lusted after the bowls I had seen on a number of blogs that were made by 4 Paws Pottery I jumped online, popped into their Etsy shop, introduced myself and asked if there was any way that I could review their bowls. I am honored that Candice, the owner/creator of 4 Paws Pottery, granted my wish! The bowl that is pictured above and below is Cody's ADORABLE new bowl! (Keep an eye on  Dakota's blog to see HIS special bowl soon!!)





You will notice that the bowl is wide enough to not cause any whisker stress. There are a number of colors and styles to choose from. You can have the bowl personalized. It is a nice, sturdy, weight. I keep mine in a safe place because I don't want any accidents to happen!
If you look at the color of the bowl and the pattern, the way the color is set is something that is unique and special (to me). That is how hand-crafted pottery SHOULD look. It's one-of-a-kind and special.

CREATING THESE PIECES IS A  LONG PROCESS!!!

The process begins with freshly pugged stoneware clay that is thrown into shape on a flat disk called a batt. Using water, Candice uses her  hands, and kicking  wheel where she can bend the clay into a bowl, a jar, or even flatten it into a plate or jar lid. Freshly formed pottery is very wet and takes about 2 to 3 days to dry out for trimming. 

When ready for trimming she uses a cheese wire to cut the piece from the batt, and then it goes back on her wheel. She trims all the excess clay away from the piece to make sure everything looks clean and smooth. She waits about an hour after each piece is trimmed to let it dry out a bit and then it heads for painting! 

After painting it dries for a few more days, and when dry it goes to the kiln! The first firing is the bisque which is a 3 day process. Then she does the final glass glaze which takes several hours, followed by loading the kiln for the final firing. This firing also takes 3 days.



Visit 4 Paws Pottery on Facebook!!! 


Hand-crafted items are special, pride in craftsmanship isn't always present in our modern world, with the items at 4 Paws Pottery you can be certain that love, care, time, talent and great thought are put into each and every item!

4 Paws Pottery can be found on Etsy and their main website. There you be able to find:
Bowls, plates, slow feeder bowls, treat jars, and more! You can get items for cats, dogs and small animals!

$10 OFF ANY PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE
 FROM NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 31ST 2016
 BY VISITING 4 PAWS POTTERY ON ETSY 
AND  USING  COUPON CODE:  CODY2016 


I could not be happier with my bowls and I am certain you will be too! 

In full disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. I received a custom made bowl for Cody and one for Dakota in exchange for my always honest review!
 


37 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous Bowl! If mes did not has one made by one of Mommy's furrends, Mommy would goes and gets one right now! Mommy majored in pottery at university but had to change her major after she wrecked her back in a car accident. She just LOVES hand thrown pottery.
    Cody, mes must say yous looks marvelous darling.
    Sending yous special kisses
    Your Nellie Bellie

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  2. What a lovely bowl! And what a lot of detail goes into making them!

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  3. That is a really exqusite kitty bowl! Love the colors too:)

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  4. What a gorgeous bowl - and well designed, too!

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  5. Gorgeous bowl indeed and i love the colors..i threw pots many years ago and know how much time goes into them..from wedging the clay to final firing and waiting to see how your colors have come out..or if someone elses pot has blown up and taken yours out :) so very much love these :) Loves Bev xxx

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  6. Nice new bowls Cody! My Mom loves pottery - and is always looking for unique and fun bits and pieces. The nice thing about your bowl is not just having your name on it but it's wide so whiskers aren't bothered....that's a NICE feature!

    Hugs, Sammy

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  7. Beautiful! We like hand crafted stuff too (you can tell from our fundraisers, lol)

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  8. That is a great bowl, I love that it is wide enough for whiskers.

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  9. Gawd, Michigan is a great place for art fairs, Caren! Some of the best are in Oakland County, and of course there is Ann Arbor's big thang. I will check out 4 Paws Pottery on FB!

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    1. I have been to the Ann Arbor Art Fair and it is great. Sadly it was sooo hot that day I didn't enjoy it. I was just remembering my favorite, and that was in Ohio. Also, since I have lived in Michigan, our finances have been awful, soooo....I don't go to Art Fairs at all the way I did when I was in Cleveland and was working full time :)

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  10. I wish we had Little Bit so I could get her one of these. She would surely have liked it.

    Have a purrfect day Cody. My best to your wonderful mom. ♥♥♥

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  11. Cody's bowl is so beautiful! Like you, I love hand-crafted items, and my house is filled with them. There's just something so very special about knowing that an item was individually made with such purpose and intent and care. Thank you for sharing this with us, and I will certainly be checking out 4 Paws Pottery!

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    1. I know I would LOVE the hand-crafted items that you have! I agree that they are so very special!!!!

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  12. dood !!! thiz bowl iz AWESUM !!!! de food servizz gurl threw clay when her waz WAY younger N it did knot EVEN come CLOSE ta lookin az grate az yur bowl...thanx for de link two ther stor...for sure we will chex it out ☺☺☺ ♥♥♥

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    Replies
    1. you are so funny!! I did too and mine was awful! Hoping you see one you would like!!

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  13. That sure is a pretty bowl! I would love to have personalized dishes for our kitties.

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  14. Those are about the nicest bowls I've seen!

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  15. I didn't know you dabbled in ceramics! I did too but it's a lot of work and glad there are wonderful those who do it full time. We had a custom bowl made with our cats names and it's a great memento!

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    1. Nope, I didn't do ceramics. I was going to major in Art in College....so in High School I did a lot of different mediums. Clay/pottery is not my thing, I was never good working 3 dimensional. Wish I had a talent for it!

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  16. We like that kind of stuff too
    Lily & Edward

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  17. Dat's a pawsum bowl. We luv made with luv stuffs too, we just usually can't afford them. MOL Glad you were able to get Cody a new bowl.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Raena

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  18. Thank you. I will head over there. You know how I am about my girl(s).

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  19. I love the little smiling cat and Cody's name on the bottom.
    It looks like the perfect size.
    xxoo

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  20. Nice bowls!!

    Momma's got da same obsseshun as you duz, 'cept fur her it's glass. So we's got bowls from PawNosh.

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    1. Finley!!!! My Mom LOVES those bowls too!!! They are quite pretty and are unique as well! Your Mama has such good taste!

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  21. What awesome, beautifully crafted bowls! I love the colors, and the personalization option. :)

    Looking good, Cody!

    Hugs to you, dear pals.

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  22. WOW! Such beautiful bowls... I love the one with your name in it...

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  23. The bowl is beautiful - and so is the rest of her pottery!

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  24. Wow, the close-up really shows the beauty of the bowl. These really are beautiful!

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  25. Those are very nice. It would make a great water bowl.

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  26. I love your bowl Cody, it's a real nice one. To eat in a bowl with your name on it's luxury !
    Ronrons
    Hisia

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