Deneen Pottery
Favorite part of working at Deneen Pottery? Everything! Working alongside and inspiring our awesome staff and assisting our incredible customers. Getting to be around such a creative process and talented artists - the variety of 'opportunities' that fill my day keep me on my toes. Witnessing the transformation from proof to product.
The snow and cold is a distant memory, but the mornings are still starting out on the chilly side – Today it was 35º when dawn broke here at the pottery shop. Finding things that fit makes life more fulfilling, and definitely makes work more fun… Be it a perfect pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes as spring comes, or a perfect mug.
I’ve been waiting to find the next Innkeeper to interview and after hearing from Katherine Brown of Bloomsbury located in Camden, SC earlier this week I knew she would be perfect. In October of lat year we first talked about her property and our mugs and a few weeks later we combined a photograph of her property, and a drawing, by Randall Peterson, into this beautiful creation by Teena our Art Director.
At the start of the week I received a sorta tap-on-the-shoulder email that, more or less, hit me over the head and prompted me to see if Katherine would want to be the second official participant of our Innkeeper Q&A.
“Good morning Niles – this is where you can share a ‘great laugh’ with everyone at Deneen Pottery! When we ordered mugs a few short months ago, it was primarily because I like them–I wanted to try them on our breakfast table.
As it would never have occurred to me to buy a mug (with some logo) when I was traveling — I rather dismissed when you said how well they sell. OK – I need to place an order. Quit laughing and tell me what you need.”
I don’t mind being dismissed especially when I get to hear about it – That’s why this statement is also on our testimonials page… It helps to look back at positive statements when you are having a rough day – And I figure if I keep stacking up the positive things that have been said, more will KNOW that we ARE the best at making Custom Stoneware Coffee Mugs!
Enough of the blog blabbing here – Time to get to the Questions and Answers.
Q.) Where did you first hear about Deneen Pottery? Deneen Pottery mugs have been around the B&B industry for years. I do not really recall when or where I first heard about them…most likely from an innkeeper when Bruce and I were visiting an inn who featured the mug. We love upscale B&Bs — upscale B&Bs are where travelers find the mugs. So, we have encountered them often in our travels (CO to VA, TX to NH)…long before we decided to be innkeepers…long before we decided to feature Deneen Pottery at Bloomsbury.
Q. Do you use the mugs to serve coffee and/or tea? Yes, we use them for both coffee and tea…primarily for coffee. We use them in our Bloomsbury gourmet breakfast service and whenever a guest requests a hot drink when not a breakfast.
Q.) What is your favorite thing about your mugs? This is not a fair question…there is no one favorite thing: Favorite things: great size with great handle size, beautiful glaze options and wonderful branding of Bloomsbury, keeps hot drinks hot, dishwasher friendly, and our guests love them!
Q.) Can you think of a story or comment to share about your mugs? My Favorite Mug As a young female lieutenant assigned to an all male Air Force Field Maintenance Unit, I chose a gracefully unique coffee cup from which to consume some of the worst coffee ever brewed (or should I say rebrewed). Through 25 years of serving our great Nation, I followed my tradition of using a “pretty” cup. When we opened Bloomsbury Inn in 2005, I continued to use a cup unique to all the others in the house. Yes, cup as in cup and saucer — never a mug. With the arrival of Deneen Pottery mugs at Bloomsbury, I decided I should try them. Well as I write, my Royal Crown Darby cup and saucer are well-displayed in the kitchen, and my coffee sits before me in a Deneen Pottery mug. (PS…no Niles, I did not make this up as a good “story” for the interview…it is oh so true!)
Just as Katherine has served our country for the Air Force , our mugs are now serving her and the guests of Bloomsbury! I do feel sorry for the Royal Crown Darby cup and saucer, much the same as I feel for Winnie the Pooh, but new relationship has emerged and that brings me joy… Much the same way that Katherine now enjoys coffee from her handmade, hand-thrown, made in the USA – Custom stoneware mug. While what we do may not be on the cutting edge of technology, or will save the world, we do bring a moment of peace and joy when you stop to savor your first sip of the day.
Thank you Katherine – We wish you the best of luck, this season!
Thanks for reading our blog!
Niles Deneen – VP Marketing
Deneen Pottery
Favorite part of working at Deneen Pottery? Everything! Working alongside and inspiring our awesome staff and assisting our incredible customers. Getting to be around such a creative process and talented artists - the variety of 'opportunities' that fill my day keep me on my toes. Witnessing the transformation from proof to product.
