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I first stumbled upon the ceramics of Robert Maxwell at Stuff in San Francisco (a multistory store always playing Hi-NRG music that carries vintage furniture and home decor). The booth I usually go to first that specializes in California mid-century items and the like, had these little stoneware animal sculptures with silly facial expressions. I bought it and immediately did a little detective work, trying to decipher the signature on the bottom. I finally found something similar to it, and dug a little more and found this series of stoneware he did in the 1960s called critters. The collection is made up of made-up creatures, but most of them resemble anteaters and have all have these comical and priceless expressions. I love looking at them, I have about 8 of them now and they make me smile every time I see them. If this stuff speaks to you, also check out Stoneware Designs West, it’s another stoneware company founded by his former employees who share a lot of the same ethos.
Dec 15, 2020
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Despite reading, and then re-reading, and then re-reading a Terence Conran coffee table book as a child, I have absolutely zero interior design sense. Several years ago I started buying ceramic fruits and vegetables as a joke. Doofpot in Greenport N.Y. was a mecca for Italian ceramics before it closed in 2019; now I spend days scouring Etsy for a perfectly plump tomato. Each one is completely ludicrous and absurd, but they make me laugh. There is obviously some symbolism at play here, trying to freeze a moment of ripeness and wholeness in time.
Oct 12, 2021
i have like a bazillion collection of things (eg jellycats, wishing stones, goosebumps books), but my ceramic frogs are by far the collection i adore the most. i will NEVER take up an opportunity to buy a ceramic frog. LOOK HOW AWESOME
Mar 26, 2025
The clay in Iowa is very good quality, so I’ve been told. Maybe that’s why it seems like everyone I knew there–at one time or another–spent time at the wheel, and my life was filled with beautiful & useful ceramics. I have a pieces at home but I’ve moved so much that some got lost, or broke, or I left behind for safe keeping.
Pictured, some cups I wanted from Akar last time I was there.
Oct 23, 2024
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I’ve fallen deep in Discogs blackholes since quar first started and I came across this obscure underwater themed Italian library music masterpiece from Fabio Fabor. This came out when he was already 60 years old and this shows that music has no expiration. I’ve listened to it everyday this past month lol. It’s the best part of the 80s with a gentle and warm subterranean touch.
Dec 15, 2020
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Another quar find… CPE is the craftwork of a Scottish 9-girl ensemble with an average age of 14 years old. With the guidance of their music teacher, I guess they distributed less than 100 copies of this in 1979 and almost all of it was given to the staff of the school, parents, and students. Mesmerizing and soothing, it sounds perfect for this holiday season, Christmas-not-Christmas music with some tension. Throw this on and hypnotize your lover, housemates, or pet?
Dec 15, 2020
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It goes on everything, I’m disgusting. My favorite meal for it though is day old white rice, butter, soy sauce, spicy chili crisp, topped with a fried egg that’s crispy on the sides. if I could have this as my last meal, I’d die happy.
Dec 15, 2020