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Featured Collector:
Janet Akcakal of Kenmore, New
York
Thank you, Janet, for sharing your story and your
collection with us.
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How do you explain a passion
or even taste for that matter? You know it speaks to your soul when it
remains unaltered and undiminished over years if not decades. For me
personally, it began as an appreciation of antiques, inherited certainly
from my grandmother but refined over time to encompass primarily a love
for the elements, design, colors and philosophy of the Arts and Crafts
movement.
It all started with a
library table from Grandma, a Roseville vase from Mom, plus items carried
home from flea markets along the way. Over my numerous moves, items that
no longer fit the style remained behind. Occasionally, in recent years,
I’d splurge on a piece of Stickley furniture; then slowly Roycroft books
and prints joined Turkish carpets from earlier travels—and the “Look”
developed. |
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Janet and Pasha, a.k.a.
"Mr. December." |
From the first time I spied
an Ephraim ad in the American Bungalow magazine about six or seven years
ago and made that initial purchase, I was hooked. Over the years, I’ve
remained with the green glazes (Leaf, Antique and Prairie), and my
collection of Ephraim Pottery now numbers 36 pots, 4 tiles and a
paperweight. To finance my passions, I’m a teacher; and even my students
know by what I wear that green is my favorite color and in general earth
tones prevail.
A related hobby of mine is
photography, so when I read about Ephraim’s photo competition about four
years ago, I decided to give it a try, although, being self-taught, had
never dared attempt anything like it before. Surprisingly, not only was
one of my photos chosen for the catalogue, but my cat Pasha became “Mr.
December” for that year’s calendar and then the following year “Mr.
February” as well. Now he likes to think of himself as the unofficial
Ephraim mascot. By the way, Pasha’s |
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eyes are also a brilliant
green, well-matched to my pottery collection, and he not only appreciates
but also respects the beautiful pots on display around the house. From his
perch on the back of the couch, he often dusts a couple of pots with his
tail, although he would never think of knocking one over.
Whenever a new Ephraim
Pottery catalogue appears, I usually pore over it, making up a far too
extensive wish list for my budget. Then when I finally narrow it down to
something reasonable, I place my order via telephone, so I can chat with
Kristin or Marilynn (it feels like I’m somehow part of the Ephraim family,
perhaps one of the distant cousins). On occasion, however, I’ll make a
purchase at Legacy, one of my favorite small shops in East Aurora, NY—and
the home of instant gratification.
Now that, at long last, I’ve
moved back to my roots, Buffalo, NY, I’m looking for just the right
Craftsman bungalow to house all my treasures. Perhaps next year’s photo
shoot will take place there. Until then, I’m certain to be adding more
pottery to my collection. It’s my hope that they will become part of a
prized inheritance for my son. My desire, naturally, is that the passion
can be passed on. I remain convinced that high quality, ageless beauty and
handmade American craftsmanship combined is a sound investment in multiple
ways: the items have lasting material and artistic value and purchases
support a valuable American craft in a throw-away society: the head, heart
and hand as promoted by the Roycrofters. |
Editor’s Note:
Janet is very modest.
Her photos have consistently won prizes in our photo contests and have
contributed significantly to the beauty of our catalogs and web site.
One of her photos was chosen for the cover of Catalog #8; she had
photos in both the 2004 and 2005 Collectors’ Calendars; and she had
winning photos in both the 2006 and 2007 contests. –KMZ
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