Lily Krakowski on thu 13 feb 03
In the Sixties I rented studio space from a friend. The studio was a few
blocks from Woolworth's, and when anyone came in and complained about our
high prices, Tom would stand in the doorway, point downstreet, and say: I
think they have (whatever) you are looking for.
I think us wrong if we pick on people who would rather get their mugs and
their teapots at WalMart. Or, from China, where they are made by quasi or
actual slave labor.
The recent dialog on Henley mugs--of which I do not own one-- shows what
different objectives people have in buying functional ware. My houseguests
are amused that I let them select their "own" mugs for their stay. To many
of them a mug is a container for a liquid to be drunk hot. Period. That it
also is something to fondle, to look at, to love, to play with does not
enter their minds.
What we make, albeit functional, is NOT, for most domestic economies, for
everyday use. Anymore than "best clothes" are for everyday use. I wear old
sweaters from the thrift shop, and gardening type clogs, and old, wornout
jeans to the studio; and keep my tweed jackets, my good shirts, my better
slacks, my "expensive" shoes for dressier occasions.
One of the problems I see is that too many of us do not make functional ware
for the average American. I, for one, barter a lot because it brings the
exchange down to skill--not income. I will happily trade six mugs for as
many jars of relish--because the time and skill involved is about the same.
I do not want my pots to end up only in the homes of people I do not relate
to...As for me pottery is part of a conversation with the world I live in, I
like to speak my piece to those I want to talk to. But that is me, and we
don't want to go there.
So. If we send people who need six mugs for everyday use down the road to
Wal-Mart we are saying we do not make mugs an average family can use in an
average kitchen , etc. That is fine by me. But I see no reason then to
pick on and deride those people, who, in essence, are telling us: what you
make is beyond my means.... We are no more in competition with WalMart than
GMC's Cadillac division is in competition with the used car lot's old
pickups. Unfortunately? WE are GMC in this case...and if we wish to be
simple, Unknown Craftsmen types we must make the economic adjustments so
that those who bought from the folk-craftsman, can buy from us...
Lili Krakowsk
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
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