| "I'm too young to be collecting dishes!" Yes, | | | | be able to find the exact same piece anywhere |
| these famous last words came out of my mouth | | | | else so if you can stand the idea of |
| shortly after moving to Germany. I'd see the | | | | potentially losing a couple dollars vs. |
| stuff everywhere - decorating the walls at a | | | | getting that special piece, do it! |
| friend's house, overflowing with food at a | | | | |
| potluck gathering, being sold by at a booth | | | | At about 5 pm, it's time to head back. The |
| outside the post store. And don't forget each | | | | bus is crammed, the luggage spaces underneath |
| and every shopping bazaar - the table | | | | the bus are as full as they can be, and every |
| surrounded by a frenzy of ladies was sure to | | | | bump in the road you hit produces a worried |
| have a well-stocked selection from Poland or | | | | 'gasp' from the exhausted shoppers. The |
| Italy. | | | | Stuttgart USO automatically gives everyone |
| | | | two seats and by this time, you are saying a |
| I resisted its tempting allure for the first | | | | silent prayer for that ingenious perk. You |
| couple of years and believe it or not, my | | | | get back to post around the wee hours of 3 am |
| husband caved first. I was engrossed in a | | | | and barely have the energy to conjure up that |
| pile of carved wooden boxes as my husband | | | | little white lie to your spouse on how much |
| explored the pottery table nearby. Then, he | | | | you *actually* spent. Your body is screaming |
| uttered those nine little words that he's | | | | with a mixture of exhaustion and cramps from |
| probably regretted ever since, "what do you | | | | the bus but it was worth it! Especially when |
| think about buying some Polish Pottery?" It | | | | you move back to the states - watch QVC and |
| was all over. We went home with five | | | | you'll see what I mean. The other day, those |
| different pieces that afternoon but it was | | | | silly, smiling ladies were selling one |
| just the beginning - countless patterns, | | | | dessert plate for $42! |
| every color imaginable, and plenty of shapes | | | | |
| and sizes - it turned out that not only was I | | | | On a final note, I recommend going with a |
| not too young, I needed it all. | | | | group to Poland as opposed to just you and |
| | | | the family. Bus trips, although tight and you |
| I took my first Polish Pottery shopping trip | | | | have to concede to the groups schedule, it's |
| a few months later with the USO - you know, | | | | better than getting your car stolen (which |
| the one that you spend an insane 30 hours in | | | | happens quite a bit - and how easy do you |
| a state of pottery-induced, | | | | think it will be to track it in a former |
| it-doesn't-matter-how-much-I-spend euphoria. | | | | Eastern Block country??). I've heard so many |
| Everyone loads on a big touring bus at 9 pm | | | | of these car jacking stories - one woman |
| on a Friday night and at around 4:30 am, the | | | | brought her husband along to watch the car |
| shopping madness begins. Shop owners know | | | | ... he did - watched it get driven right out |
| when the busses arrive and put themselves out | | | | of the parking lot. I had a friend tell me |
| of bed early to make that extra money. Each | | | | that she'll only drive her car to Poland if |
| shop is a race - not only against your new | | | | her husband goes AND he drives the car in |
| friends on your bus but against that next | | | | circles in the parking lot while she shops. |
| tour bus you HAVE to stay in front of. Dinner | | | | I've also seen small groups, whether friends |
| plates, dessert plates, coffee cups and | | | | or organized by a resourceful military |
| saucers, serving dishes, baking dishes, tea | | | | spouse, hire a chartered bus and driver. Each |
| sets, salt and pepper shakers - anything you | | | | pitches in for a portion of the bill. Not |
| need for the kitchen or dining room. | | | | only are they leaving the driving to someone |
| Recently, I've seen pottery items that you | | | | else, they are buying themselves peace of |
| can use outside the kitchen such as wall | | | | mind. Better safe than sorry! |
| decorations, planters, and some rude ones I | | | | |
| won't mention ... Some people have their one, | | | | Ready to go? |
| beloved pattern while others, such as myself, | | | | |
| mix and match for an eclectic look (they are | | | | USO dot com - Those affiliated with the |
| also easier to replace if, heaven forbid, | | | | military have this resource. Check your local |
| something breaks). Stop only for a short | | | | USO's page for a schedule of tours. |
| lunch of goulash to keep your energy level up | | | | |
| and keep going. | | | | Enjoy Tours dot com - this company does |
| | | | plenty of trips to great destinations, but |
| The trip is also a learning experience, not | | | | they don't have that '2-seats-per-person' |
| just a chance to lose control. When looking | | | | policy that the USO does. |
| at the pottery, try and purchase only | | | | |
| 'category 1' items. The category indicates | | | | Four shops in the area of Boleslawiec, Poland |
| level of flaws so the higher the better. | | | | and American-friendly: |
| Category 1 pottery is oven safe for up to 425 | | | | |
| degrees F and dishwasher safe (although I | | | | * Pol Card |
| don't trust it ... I don't even trust my | | | | |
| husband to hand wash it ... if you saw my | | | | Karty Platnicze w Polsce |
| collection of crystal glasses, you'd | | | | |
| understand). Category 2 is oven safe for up | | | | Pawie Oczko sklep Firmony |
| to 325 degrees F and 'probably' dishwasher | | | | |
| safe. Category 3 and higher should only be | | | | Ul. Masarska 1, 59-700 |
| used for serving. Also, if you find the label | | | | |
| 'unikat' on the bottom, the pattern is | | | | Boleslawiec |
| original to the store you purchased it from. | | | | |
| The Golden Rule of Polish Pottery Shopping in | | | | * Ceramika Art Wiklina |
| Poland is: if you find a piece/pattern you | | | | |
| like, purchase it there! You probably won't | | | | "Cerwik" K. Roznicki, A. |