Old World Pottery of Wichita Falls

Chimeneas were made by Native Americans of the Southwest region to central Mexico to provide warmth for their family as well as baking and cooking. During the Native Americans' migrations, rain would play a role in the creation of Chimeneas. Easy to build and relatively small to carry (compared to a kiln/chimney,) the body of the Chimenea kept out rain while trapping heat to provide warmth. Today, Chimeaneas are used for warmth as well as decoration.

Tips for using a Chimenea:

Keep Chimeneas in open air spaces (never use on inside a home)
Use Piñon wood for best results (Do not use Oak or Mesquite)
Place 4-5 inches of dirt, gravel, or sand inside Chimenea before use (it elevates fire pit)
Always cover when not in use (never use a Chimenea if its soaking wet inside, as it might cause damage)

Halloween is full of traditions, such as "trick or treating", dressing up and living out fantasies, celebrating with friends and family, and decorating your home. Walking through a neighborhood, trick or treaters are welcomed by festively dressed homes. One of the most common decortions are illuminated Jack O lanterns. The origin of Jack O lanterns begins in Ireland and spread to the United States, making pumpkins a common Halloween and Fall decoration. Jack O lanterns have carvings of faces or unique designs that light a pathway, welcoming trick or treaters to receive treats.The atmosphere of that day wouldn't be the same without Jack O lanterns, regardless of whether it's an actual pumpkin used or designed out of metal/clay. Stop by Old World Pottery and view my pumpkin patch of unique metal and clay Jack O Lanterns. They are perfect for dressing up your home this holiday! 

(This is a piece contributed by Social Media Consultant, Ruby Arriaga. edit.)

There are various ways to decorate your patio and garden. Among them are animal planters of various styles & designs made using terra-cotta, stone work, ironwork, and more. There is a fond memory of my grandparent's home, and of a particular goat planter. My grandmother had grown up among live stock in the old world before immigrating to the United States. What seemed so unusual to us about growing up among animals, was quite common for her generation; however, her new life in her new home wouldn't permit that lifestyle. Instead, my grandmother paid special attention to one of her planters that was shaped as a goat. She had arranged her garden in such a way that her goat played the dual rolls of being the main focal point of her garden while watching over it.

(This is a piece contributed by Social Media Consultant, Ruby Arriaga. edit.)

Rosaries are traditionally viewed by Catholics with a profound respect for the Virgin Mary, as it is believed since its inception that the path to Christ is through Holy Mother. Although strongly associated with Roman Catholics, it is also a part of many Christian faiths, such as German Lutherans and the Anglican Communion (Church of England).Rosaries are made with a variety of materials, such as glass, plastic, stone, wood, metal, clay,  and marble; with each beads used to count a series of prayers dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ.

I personally have multiple rosaries that adorn my room, each with experiences marking special moments in my life. One of my favorite rosaries was bought as a gift by my mother at a garage sale, where the seller had no knowledge of its importance. It is longer in length than most of my other rosaries, and the brightness of the blue especially caught my attention. What makes this rosary so special to me, other than its distinguished looks, is that my grandmother, a devout Catholic, examined  it and explained that it was blessed.

The rosaries found at Old World Pottery are used as a way to make certain pottery or areas attractive as evidence through the pictures below.

Below is one of my favorite pieces of art work. It is a Spanish Rooster (Gallo) handcrafted in Guadalajara. It's a planter that can easily be used as a simple statue in a Spanish home decor. It sits 3 ft tall and is made of terra cotta. The entire piece is hand painted in a uniform black/white style for the body. The exception is the head, where his eyes express an intense focus.

This past weekend, Old World Pottery participated in the Decorators Show House benefiting the Women's Refuge at Faith Mission.

I would love to thank all the compassionate women who this first year event an incredible success, to the men from the Faith Mission who volunteered their time and backs to help me set up at the house, and to all those who visited and purchased merchandise!

I especially want to thank those who purchased some of my beautiful pottery and metal art work, as OWP donated a portion of our sales to Faith Mission.

Old World Pottery prides itself in being apart of the community, especially when it can help those less fortunate.

Here are a few pictures from the show, enjoy:

The Provenance Fair was a great success. I would like to thank the Wichita County Heritage Society for inviting me to be apart of the fair and for all the help that was instrumental in setting up my display.

Also, I would like to thank all those who visited me and enjoyed my display. Thank you!

Sold!

Here is another piece of art that I was impressed by, and was fortunate to buy and bring back. I'm showcasing it at the Provenance Fair April 16th, unless bought before then.

This is a statue of a faceless woman, with the interpretation that it is every woman, looking upward in thought, shoulders cocked.

SR

One of the best experiences of my buying trips are the beautiful pieces of art I come across.

Here are a couple of beautiful pieces of art that I would like to highlight. The first is an armoire, which is hand carved and ornate. (I'll post a few more in the upcoming days)

I'm pleased to announce that Old World Pottery will be participating in the first annual Provenance Fair Saturday April 16th at 2706 Hamilton Blvd (across from Hamilton Park) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is in collaboration with the 11th annual Provenance Historic Home Tour. I'll be showcasing the very best of the best in pottery and metal art, among many other local businesses, under the tent provided by the Wichita County Heritage Society. I'll repost this again when the event draws near. For more information, please check out their website at http://www.wichita-heritage.org/index.htm.

Sincerely,
Saul Ramos

Here our a couple of, Chanticleer (Roosters). Perhaps they remind you of the fables involving Reynard the Fox.

My name is Saul Ramos, and I started this blog to advertise products I find on various trips to Mexico. I will also educate those who own pottery or have an interest in purchasing them on how best to utilize and protect them.
Pottery has been a part of our society from the beginning of civilization to today; however, the way we use our pots have changed. In terms of how you use your pottery, you are only limited by your imagination (or by someone else's as reproducing is the greatest of compliments).
One subject I'll write about quite often will be a pot's quality of clay (terra-cotta) and how it is affected by the weather, as it is a subject most customers are concerned when investing in pottery and outdoor decor. Additionally, I will highlight the different styles of pottery from various cities and states of Mexico. I find that one of the biggest misconceptions people have about Mexican pottery is that it's all one in the same, as if a pot made in Nuevo Laredo is identical to a beautiful piece of art from the arts district of Guadalajara. It is an unfortunate belief, which degrades the quality of pottery from central Mexico, because pottery from central Mexico last longer due to how they are crafted and the quality of terra-cotta used. You might not tell the difference during the warm seasons, but I guarantee you will see the difference during and after the winter season.
In addition to pottery, I'll also focus my attention to Cast-Stone and metal art. I'll differentiate cement, concrete, and Cast-Stone, and explain how the weather affects each one. I'll showcase metal work, such as trellises and arbors, and explain the importance of the gauge (thickness) of the metal; as well as, highlighting the differences between wrought iron and cast aluminum.
Ultimately, I want to showcase the very best coming out of Mexico while teaching you how to get the most out of your pottery. It is my hope that you leave each post with a better understanding and appreciation for these pieces of art.

Sincerely,
Saul Ramos