About Absorbent Coasters & Stoneware by Susan Gartin

My husband, Moose, and I have been involved with clay arts of one form or another since we married in 1986. We opened a ceramic studio in 1989, due to a job relocation, we were forced to close it three years later. After moving to Buffalo, NY, I wasn't sure which way to go. I started to make ceramic pieces and then needed an outlet to sell them. Moose was taking them to work but didn't have the time to do his job and tend to sales.

That's when we discovered Arts and Crafts shows. We currently do about 30 shows a year, some as far away as Virginia and South Carolina, and several in our Western NY area.

About 10 years ago, just as I noticed that ceramics were no longer selling at craft shows, I realized there was a need for an absorbent coaster. I remember telling my husband that I was going to make an absorbent clay coaster. He was a doubter! I played with different clays for about 18 months before I got the clay to do exactly what I wanted it to do -- absorb and be easily cleaned -- as well as look pretty on the table.

We have a very large following with coasters, but I was still missing the creative part of making other useful things to sell. I needed more ... but ceramic wasn't real functional in the kitchen, because of breakage and chippage. Hmmm, how about stoneware -- I have a line of stoneware kitchenware that meets all those needs. It's meant to be used. Stoneware can go in the oven, dishwasher and microwave! Wahoo!

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