Photo: Tate Carlson
Blue Water Polish Pottery works directly with manufacturers in Poland.
You voted Blue Water Polish Pottery as a finalist in our Best Specialty Foods/Kitchen Store category. We talk to owner Kathy Kuck to learn more about her pottery and the people behind it.
What inspired you to import and sell Polish pottery?
Before I started the store, I was an emergency department nurse. I fell in love with Polish pottery when I lived abroad in the early 2000s. It’s such a beautiful yet functional way to experience art. It is durable, and I love the way it cooks. Looking at the pieces just makes me happy!
What makes the pottery you sell stand out compared to other pottery?
All of the pieces are hand-stamped or hand-painted by artists. The colors are vibrant, and the pottery is lead-free and cadmium-free. It cooks evenly and is safe for the dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer. It’s chip resistant, and the glaze is nonstick.
What vendors do you work with in Poland?
I work with several factories, including Manufaktura, Kalich, Ceramika and Artystyczna. I choose the shapes and the patterns, then the factories make it for me.
Word has it that England’s royal family has some of the patterns you sell. Tell us more!
When I was meeting with the factories last summer, the people at the Zaklady [in Boleslawiec, Poland] factory told me that Harry and Megan have the “Ashley” pattern, which I sell painted on a stoneware butter dish.
