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.
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| 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!
