TheSnackHound

In the 1930s, the Homer Laughlin China Company produced this informative look at how china is made. There were a few items in the process I thought looked like Fiesta Ware, but the finished items are other products from their vast selection of patterns. It was not a training video, as we only get a cursory look at the process versus drilling down each step, but it is definitely entertaining.

Not so entertaining is the selected soundtrack. See? You should have read the entire blog entry before your itchy fingers pressed “Play,” so you could be fairly warned. When you watch this video, turn down the volume on your computer. The music may seem quaint at first, but then evolves into a somewhat distracting “smooth jazz’ that has nothing to do with the film, nor does it match the action.  It seems as some folks who have discovered the video on Youtube share the sentiment.   Perhaps this footage will be reevaluated at some point and era appropriate, or at least music that matches the action, will be included.   For now, the silent version is even highly entertaining.  At least to me.  But I’m a big geek about these things.

Happy Pumpkin was a pattern introduced on Fiesta Ware, and by most sources it was discontinued in 2002.  The pattern sometimes pops up at this time of year from the vaults, meaning that sometimes you can order a few from Homer Laughlin.  You can also find it on the secondary market from private parties.    The smiling Happy Pumpkin is on actual Fiesta, not another Homer Laughlin style of dish.  It is available directly from the maker at $14.99 for the luncheon plate.   They are currently in stock, but in limited quantities.  Replacements, Ltd., also carries them.

What you might want to also look for are other pieces.  The various serving bowls do not have a pumpkin face on them, but feature a Trick or Treat theme featuring Halloween cats.   The other pieces typically have the motif shown below.  The exceptions are the round place and the round candlestick holders which have jack-o-lantern faces on them.

These pieces tend to easily get overlooked at clearance and estate sales because if you were not close to them, you would not even imagine that they were Fiesta unless you remembered some of the Christmas plates and how they also had designs on them.  Happy Halloween hunting on this pattern.  If you find any other good sources as far as physical stores or websites for this one, let me know by comment or email.

For the 75th anniversary of Fiesta Ware, the Homer Laughlin company released a set of mixing bowls in marigold.  The bowls themselves, if not the color, are based on an original 1930s design, and range in sizes from 6-1/2 to 2-1/2 quarts.  They were introduced in April 2008, and were to run for 75 weeks, signifying the 75 years that Fiesta Ware has been in existence. The set will be retired on September 2nd of this year.   After that, Homer Laughlin China will not fire another piece.

There will be a second item introduced on April 1, 2010, and that too will run for 75 weeks as well.   No information has been released as to what the piece(s) or colors will be as of this writing.  Stay tuned, and information will be divulged as soon as it is released.   In the meantime, don’t procrastinate on the marigold bowls if you have been thinking about them.

The bowls are dishwasher safe and have a nonporous, lead free glaze.  You can either collect them and store them away for posterity, or you can actually use them in your kitchen.

As far as pricing, I have seen them offered on the internet as a set anywhere from $124.95 to $189.95, before shipping charges, so shop around.  I did spot it at Macy’s online, but I have not confirmed if it is available in the store.  Some Macy’s are larger than others and offer a full or limited range.

The annual Tent sale for all things FiestaWare and Homer Laughlin will be held  June 25th, 26th, an 27th this summer.  I came across the list of “Rules” for the sale.  It is most likely the same for all of the warehouse/tent sales.  If you are planning on attending, you may want to review them before you go.  In addition to these, there are no oversized dollies or carts allowed in the tent.  I assume that is just for the courtesy of the personal space of others.

Warehouse Sale Rules and Regulations

1. Tickets will be given out each morning of the sale beginning at 7 AM.
2. Each person must be present to receive a ticket. No one under 16 permitted in warehouse/tent.
3. Customers will line up according to ticket number.
4. The sale will start at 10:00AM and run till 7:00PM each day of the sale.
5. The gate will be closed at 6:30 PM to allow us to get everyone checked out.
6. You must stay in line until you receive a ticket and be in line when your number is called.
(We have port-a-johns and a concession stand you can visit after you receive your ticket.)
7. We ask you to bring your own dollies. Retail Outlet dollies will not be available during the tent sale.
8. Once you have checked out you must go to the back of the line and receive another ticket.
9. If you are not in line when your number is called you will be passed over and must go to the back of the line.
10. We will be closed the day before (JUNE 24th) and the day after (JUNE 28th) the tent sale.

Are you planning to go this year? At this sale, it will be the first time Ivory will be offered as “seconds,” so take advantage of the opportunity to pick up a few spare plates.  “Seconds” might have an air bubble or another slight imperfection which prevented it from being shipped to stores as “perfect,” but they would still be able to handle the heavy workload that your dinner guests put them under.  To most people, it the imperfections are not obvious.

The Homer Laughlin Company has announced the latest Fiesta Ware color. The new color, Lemongrass, will be released this summer.  It is a yellow green that is meant to coordinate with the recent releases of chocolate, released this past winter, and 2008’s ivory.  It is a bit less green than the chartreuse color.  Macy’s is going to be among the first to receive and offer the new color for sale.  The new color will begin shipping in June.

I quite like this color, and look forward to seeing it in person in a few months.

There are also square luncheon plates in a variety of colors. The shape allows much flexibility to mix and match on the same table.   There is going to be a larger line of square dinnerware introduced throughout 2009.

I am not sure yet whether I would go to a whole table of square, but it does evoke a slightly art deco motif.  I have had square dishes before and rather liked them.

What are your thoughts?

Today, I went to the mall with my two aunts, mother, and grandmother.  I never shopped on Black Friday before, but decided to go with them just for the company.  At Macy’s, I was able to peruse the Fiesta offerings in The Cellar.
Clearance Table

The clearance table featured Fiesa Ware mixed in with other Cellar favorites.  Spotted were various pieces in Evergreen.  The selection at your Macy’s may vary, but I spotted dinner plates, soup bowls, and bread plates.  There were also several packages of Fiesta cloth napkins in Sunflower. You can get this deal online also for $11.99 for a set of 4. Tablesclothes, which reversed from solid to a woven stripe were also present.

Macy’s Exclusives

There were several “Only at Macy’s” Fiesta items.  There was a boxed set that paired the large pasta serving bowl with a shaker for cheese.  This was on hand in both Ivory and Scarlett.   A large platter in Scarlett was also leaning against the table boxed.   I neglected to mention that this set is also available in Evergreen, but that one was in the Clearance section.

Among the regular display of colors there was a collection with a floral transfer.  This is Fiesta Tangerine with a Sunflower design transfer.  I was unclear whether that this was an exclusive or available elsewhere. I flipped it over just to make sure what I was seeing was correct, and it did have the HLC/Fiesta mark. I have not been able to see this anywhere only, so you will have to check it out at Macy’s Cellar!

Be careful out there!   I was told by one of the employees at Macy’s that I missed the madness this morning.  Even though traffic seemed very light after one P.M., the place was mobbed in the first few hours.

A little while back, I mentioned that Ivory was a new color in Fiesta Ware this year.  I also hinted in the post on the new Fiesta Christmas dishes that chocolate would also be making a debut.  The new chocolate color starts to ship this month.  Look for it available in retail outlets and websites in the coming days.  When I first mentioned it, I did not have a photo, which wasn’t fair to mention it and not show it, but now that more information is readily available, I have one.

In the past few years in home decor, a chocolate brown and turquoise color scheme has popped up here and there, so I can’t help but think that this is meant to not only mix with neutral ivory but to be used with the stalwart of the Homer Laughlin Fiesta family, turquoise.   Maybe it is not shown as a “serving suggestion” so to speak, but I am sure some will do it.   Maybe the cutting edge designers are moving on to another color palette, but there is a trickle down for accessories.  Typically, someone keeps a sofa or an area rug for a number of years and so the colors usually stick around in accessories and low to midrange furniture over the next few years of a color palette being introduced.

For more information on past postings about fiestaware, click HERE.

I recently reported that the new Fiesta color from the Homer Laughlin Company is Ivory.   HLC is also releasing a decaled edition for the holidays with a festive Christmas tree motif.  It appears to come in red, evergreen, and ivory.  The pieces available are the dinner and luncheon plate, bread and butter plate, bread tray, the one quart bowl, the 12 oz mug, the 24 oz gusto, and a holiday ornament, all available seperately.

These items are shipping now. If you are interested in the 2008 Christmas dishes, check out your favorite online or brick and mortar retailer now while supplies last.

There are some bits of pieces of information that I have as to the release of a brand new Fiesta color without the decals.  Chocolate is supposed to be releasing next month, but I will have further details as I uncover them.   Pherhaps those of you who have decorated in a chocolate and turquoise theme will be elated.