Volume 3, Issue No. 3
October 2001

Ephraim Faience Pottery would like to extend its deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by the September 11th tragedy.  We are heartened by how our country has united in the face of this unprecedented threat to our liberty. Our hope is that our country continues to stay united as we heal.  

To show our support for the victims of the September 11th tragedy and all those who are working toward the relief effort, we will be donating 10% of our net retail profits from the Pasadena Heritage Craftsman Weekend sale and the Pottery Show-California to the American Red Cross.  Although final numbers are not yet in at the time of this writing, we hope to be able to donate at least $500.  

We would like to thank all of the customers who attended the Craftsman Weekend and the Pottery Show for helping us make something positive come from this tragedy. If you weren’t able to attend either of these shows but would like to make a donation, please contact the American Red Cross at PO Box 37243 , Washington DC 20013 ; tel.  1-800-435-7669. Thank you.  

United in grief  United in healing United in strength United we stand

Many of you have been wondering recently what has become of us. We’re happy to report that we’re here and doing fine, thank you very much. Our summer was chock full of changes and unexpected events, some pleasant, others not so.  

The biggest change is that Scott Draves, one of the co-founders of EFP, left the business on August 27. Kevin Hicks is now the sole owner of the company. In business, as in life, sometimes partners find themselves at a fork in the road, unable to agree on how to move forward. We wish Scott the best as he walks his new path.

As those of you who have been collectors for a while know, Scott was heavily involved in glazing and glaze development. Rest assured that EFP’s great glazes have not, and will not, change. We were lucky enough to be able to add an experienced and talented ceramist, John Raymond, to our staff. John will be taking over where Scott left off. We invite you to learn more about John by reading the profile below.  

Our personal lives haven’t escaped the winds of change, either. Since you last heard from us, Kristin had a car accident, bought a new condo, had unexpected surgery, and moved. (She’s doing fine now.) Kevin had to fly down to Georgia to care for his father, who was involved in a serious accident with his pickup and horse trailer. Fortunately, both dad and horse are recovering nicely.   

Given the recent tragedies suffered by our country, we are counting our blessings, and consider ourselves very lucky, indeed. We are excited about the possibilities to grow creatively in the future. We hope that you will continue to share our journey. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Let’s start with originals. An original is a piece conceived and created by its maker. It is not a direct copy of anything. There are two important concepts to keep in mind regarding originals. First of all, age is not a factor. Just because a piece is new doesn’t mean it’s not an original. Also, it is important to remember that no art exists in a vacuum. Every artist, including the old potters, has drawn inspiration from those who’ve gone before them. Most of the pieces in our current catalog are originals – EFP originals. 

A reproduction, on the other hand, is a copy of someone else’s original. It attempts to replicate the size, form, shape, and decoration of a piece previously conceived and made by someone else. Sometimes only one element of an original design is reproduced. Reproductions bear the mark of the reproducer, either alone or in addition to the original mark. Just because a piece is new does not necessarily mean that it is a reproduction. If it doesn’t replicate anything, it is an original.

 So what makes a fake different from a reproduction? A fake is a replica made with the intent to deceive. Legitimate reproductions can be altered to turn them into fakes.

Let’s take the example of EFP’s Seven-Handled Vase. This piece attempts to replicate a vase designed by George Kendrick and produced by the Grueby Pottery Company. The Seven-Handled Vase bears the EFP mark and the signature of the artist-potter. It is a reproduction.

 Now let’s say that an unscrupulous person gets a hold of one of our Seven-Handled vases and grinds off the EFP mark and artist’s signature.  (This actually happened in at least two cases that we know of.) The seller then proceeds to advertise the piece as a Grueby. Now the seller is attempting to deceive the buyer, and the piece becomes a fake.  (This, by the way, constitutes fraud, which is a federal offense.)

 The next time you hear someone refer to EFP as “reproduction pottery,” you’ll be able to politely correct them. Most of EFP’s pieces are originals. Our designs are inspired by the work of the old Arts and Crafts potters, but in most cases are not reproductions. And remember to stay on the lookout for fakes!

Since you last heard from us, EFP has had the good fortune to be able to add two talented ceramic artists to our staff. Todd Butzin is our new Tile Maker, and John Raymond has joined us as Studio Foreman. Both bring a wealth of experience and creative vision to our studio, and we are extremely pleased to have them join us.   

Todd Butzin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Ceramics from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh .  After graduation, he worked as a Master Mold Maker and Product Development Assistant at a production pottery for six years.  EFP originally approached Todd back in 1999, when we needed someone to help us master molds for our new tile line. The freelance assignment gave Todd an idea of what it would be like to work at EFP, and when we were ready to hire a full-time tile maker, Todd was waiting.

“I enjoy being a part of a group that’s enthusiastic about what they do,” says Todd, adding, “I feel what I contribute is respected. This creates a very open and friendly environment, making Ephraim Pottery a pleasant place to work.”

John Raymond earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Prior to joining EFP, John worked for a production pottery for 18 years. He has experience in all aspects of pottery-making, rising through the ranks to supervisory positions. Most recently, he was a supervisor responsible for the maintenance and firing of several large kilns.
John is EFP’s new Studio Foreman. He will be supervising glazing, tile making, and studio operations. John is somewhat of a hybrid, being both artistically and mechanically inclined. We are also counting on him to keep our kilns and other equipment up and running, as well as keeping the studio organized. It’s a lot of work, but we know that John is up to the challenge.

 Click here to read detailed biographies of Todd, John, and the rest of the EFP staff.

Ephraim Faience Pottery - PO Box 168 - Deerfield, WI 53531
Tel 888-704-POTS/ 608-764-1302 - Fax 608-764-8439