It’s a little bit country…it’s a little bit rock n roll. Okay, not really. It’s a little bit 1970s beachside motel redecorated to look like the 1950s inside, its a little art deco diner.  The Homer Laughlin China Company has announced the latest Fiesta Ware color, which will make its debut at retailers and on the web this summer.

In the last few years, Fiesta is famous for making colors that harken back to some of the originals but are just a teeny tiny shade off (Note: Yellow), or even such a small variation on a recently discontinued color that one ponders why they went in the same direction.  When I first saw the announcement, I wondered how close it would be to Rose. It remains to be seen once I can hold and touch it in a store, but the color appears to have a different undertone – just enough to probably “fight” if you have a cupboard full of Rose but maybe to contrast better with the the earthy tones? On my monitor, the color looks less like a lawn flamingo and a slight shade different and more coral from the 50s pink that starred in the pink and aqua color combo.

As soon as I get my hands on it, I’ll return with a full report.

Granted, the ship-to-store option isn’t available for the items, at least not as far as I could see, so you will have to pay shipping of $12.50 per set. Dishes are heavy to ship, so that’s not out of the ballpark. You’ll still enjoy substantial savings. My investigating attitude is going to stalk the local Sears stores to see if the same deal is offered in-store, if it is, you can beat the shipping cost, but you may not get your choice of color.

The price beats Amazon, but does not beat Macy’s IF you select Evergreen at Macy’s.

Hurry scurry, because they are disappearing awfully fast. I almost don’t have time to contemplate if my oval platter is really Yellow or Sunflower to help choose a complimentary color or should I just choose my favorite hue with no regards as to rhyme or reason, like I usually do. Any thoughts?

Typically, there will be first quality as well as factory seconds.  Some factory seconds merely have an air bubble or other small production blemish and are perfect for daily use, so don’t let it discourage you if you are primarily looking to complete or compliment your set, versus looking to ferret away pieces for collecting posterity. This is a great opportunity to buy one of the more expensive pieces, like a pitcher or mixing bowl set that you intend to use daily.

For etiquette tips on going to the Factory Sale, check out this post from 2008 and here.

As of this moment, I do not know if the new Paprika color will be in the mix as far as 1st quality pieces, but you are sure to find decorated pieces that wouldn’t have been available at a standard department store, or get a chance to mix and match with older colors.

The store is located at 70 miles west of Charleston at :

Everything Fiesta®
52 Skidmore Lane
Sutton, WV 26601

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So far, I have confirmed that the Homer Laughlin Factory Store, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Mega China carry it.  Kohl’s still carries limited Evergreen pieces on their website, but does not have Paprika available.  In most cases, limited pieces are available at this time, rather than the full range of items.  The Homer Laughlin Factory Store website seems to have the largest array of pieces, which goes without saying. There are certainly to be more retailers stocking up on additional pieces as they become available.

Homer Laughlin officially retired the Evergreen color in the Fiestaware line on March 1, 2010,  making way in the collection for the summer entry into the Fiesta line, Paprika. The color is available until it sells out at better department stores and online boutiques.  HLC seems to be introducing new color at a pace of twice a year now, having introduced Ivory, Chocolate and Lemongrass in the past two years.

As the most widely collected American made dinnerware, is production meeting demands, or like American Girl clothes, is HLC just making more excuses for us to have the entire sets of something? Either way, whatever they are doing is working.  I am pleased to see the line return to brighter and clearer colors and discontinue the more somber evergreen and cinnabar. While those colors have their place, to me, vibrant colors is what makes Fiesta ware Fiesta Ware and not any other line.

Will you grab up all the Evergreen you can find, store it under your bed so you can sell it and make a profit when your first child, yet unborn, goes to college?   I likely won’t, but since its a color that I don’t have, I will most likely purchase a carefully selected representative to add to my assortment of kitchen goods.

This summer, the new kid on the Fiestaware block is the spicy Paprika. It continues on the trend of deep, warm colors that Homer Laughlin has been offering.  While there are already colors in the red and orange pallet, Paprika seems as it will mix well with the two prior Fiesta offerings, Lemongrass (2009), Ivory (2008). and Chocolate (2008) of the past two years.

I have not seen the product in person–or more properly “in dish”–so I do not know if the color varies slightly from the photo. However, the color in print reminds me of a variation of the old Fiesta Red.  Not the OLD old uranium red, but a spicer, less orange peel version of the post WWII orange Fiesta Red.

Paprika will hit the shelves and websites around June 20th. The color will first be available in five and four piece place settings in the traditional shape and in 3 piece square sets. Suggested retail is between $40-48 for the sets. (P.S.: Fiestaware and other Homer Laughlin China is proudly made in the United States. All dinnerware is lead free.)

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.

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.

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.

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.