The Madd Potters' Studio in Cape May, NJ

On a recent trip to Cape May, NJ, the girlfriend and I wound up visiting a newly installed potters' studio in the shops at The Merry Widow.  This was quite a treat.  You walk in and you are surrounded by hand-made treasures, from elegant yet functional dishes and mugs, to more specialized pieces like salt pigs and yarn bowls.  Throw in some Christmas ornaments and jewelry, and you should be able to find something for everyone in your family.

We met with Amanda Leipert, one of the primary potters of the store that day, and she was not only extremely nice, but she was also willing to answer any and all questions we had about the pottery and other pieces in the shop.  Mine were largely questions like "What the hell is a salt pig?" but my girlfriend, an experienced ceramist herself, had more intelligent discussions about glazes and the temperature of the kiln.  

You could literally spend hours looking at, admiring, and wondering at the works in this shop.  It was a bit overwhelming, but that didn't stop us from finding pieces to buy.

In the end, I bought a hand-crafted "Cape May" magnet, another magnet, and a beautiful tripod mug.  I am not sure if my mug will be used as a mug, a pen/brush holder, or remain simply an objet d'art.

It is always awesome to look at and purchase beautiful hand-crafted pottery, but it also pretty great getting to meet and talk with the artists responsible for making them.  I don't have too much more to say.  I figure the photographs will speak for themselves.  Needless to say, if you visit Cape May, NJ, be sure to stop by the Madd Potters' Studio.  If you are impressed already (as you should be), they do commissioned works like entire place settings for wedding presents.  You can contact them at themaddpottersstudio@gmail.com.