European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 30, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Pottery for All purposes Terra Cotta from Suffolk by Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau Debbie Carlson stood in front of the Stock of reduced kitchenware. Quot i can t Stop buying Quot she confessed As she added More items to the growing pile at the sales counter. Carlson and her husband Dennis of Raf Lakenheath England were stocking up on Christmas gifts that were both functional and collectible. The original Suffolk collection a line of Terra Cotta earthenware turned out to be just what the car sons needed it is made at Henry Watson s potteries Ltd. In Wattisfield a tiny Village in the Suffolk Countryside just two Miles from Raf Shepherd s Grove a . Air Force housing area. The products Range from storage crocks to Champagne and wine buckets along with an assortment of baking dishes. Recent additions include breakfast bowls and dinner plates part of a new tableware line. Salt and Pepper shakers egg cups and other items will be added next year. The smooth texture of the Terra Cotta kitchenware is one of the products biggest Selling Points. Quot people tend to think of the rough finish of Flower pots Quot when they hear the word Terra Cotta said Helen Watson who helps her husband Michael run the business. Quot what we Pride ourselves on is the smooth finish of our  but what makes the Suffolk pottery especially Papular among collectors is the line s curious Label it declares the pottery to be Quot Ideal for use at Home or on  Quot the business of at Home or on safari is literally a fun thing Quot explained Helen Watson. Quot the idea was generated by the design group Queensbury Hunt design consultant who Felt they wanted to bring a traditional theme Quot to the line added Michael Watson who studied design at the Royal College of Art in London. Quot As soon As we put on the logo the pottery took off Quot said Helen Watson. That was a decade ago and what resulted has been a company which now sees half of its production going to overseas markets. About a year ago the company signed a contract with cafes making the products available year round in the United kingdom exchanges and on Quot a special buy Quot basis in exchanges in Europe said capt. Wes Davis an cafes spokesman for the Exchange s Headquarters in Munich Germany. In cafes alone according to Davis the the Terra Cotta earthenware is settled to give it a smooth texture product line generates about $8,000 to $10,000 Worth of sales a month. A Terra Cotta products have been a tradition at the pottery factory which was established in 1800 by Thomas Watson. The factory is in an area of England not unknown to the pottery Trade roman kilns have been unearthed in the Region and one is on display on the grounds of the 12-acre factory named after Michael Watson s Grandfather. According to Watson the fifth generation of the family to run the factory the first products made there were items that would have been used in the Home much like those being produced now. Quot but their Standard would have been rough and ready Quot he said adding that the products also would have been hand thrown rather than machine made As they Are now. The pottery s line of products has come full Circle. From Early crude kitchenware the product line moved into building materials such As bricks and roof tiles to horticultural Ware like Flower pots and Garden ornaments. The present products Are produced from red Clay brought in from Stoke on Trent the Center of England s China manufacturers. In a factory across from the shop about 65 people turn out the original Suffolk collection. There the soft dark Day is pressed by machines into various shapes. In a Normal working Day about 1,000 wine coolers a one of the company s major Sellers a can be produced. Once pressed the still pliable shapes Are placed on Large Racks with wheels and allowed to dry until they can be handled and settled or smoothed. The pieces then go into dehumidifying and drying Chambers for 12 to 24 hours depending on the size of the item. The labels Are applied either by silk screening transfers or pad printing. The Glaze a White liquid mixture of ground Glass and water is applied to the inside of some of the products including the plates bowls baking dishes and tankards. The products Are then baked overnight in five electric kilns. From there they Are packaged and shipped  the items Are of a porous Day they Are Best cleaned in a dishwasher and Are recommended for conventional oven use although they Are microwaveable the Watsons said. Factory Tours can be arranged by calling 0359 51239. The shop is open monday through saturday 9 30 . To 4 30 p.m., including British Bank holidays. Other items such As spices jams Mustard and Lavender products Are also sold in the shop. Wattisfield is located off the a143, Between Diss and Bury St. Edmunds. Signs in the Village dearly indicate the pottery a location but die Road leading to the site is narrow winding and Steep. 24 stripes Magazine k  Rwm Pii