We frequently get inquiries from the estates of late potters wanting to know the value of used pottery equipment. Recently we had some "What is this?" questions from someone who had purchased the contents of a career potter's studio. We started thinking about how pottery equipment moves from potter's hands to potter's hands. Not only our work remains behind but our collections of tools go on to be cherished by others in the clay community. We want to introduce you to the late Thomas Reece of Newfoundland, PA, and Linda Stauffer of Quakertown, PA.

We are here to answer all your questions and give you the support you need. We have eight expert potters here to help so call us at 1-800-431-6067, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm!

Team Bailey
Left: Thomas Reece, Stoneware Jug Right: Linda Stauffer, Stoneware Casserole
Pennsylvania's Studio Pottery Tradition
Pottery traditions came early to Pennsylvania with immigrants from Germany and Switzerland. The area around Philadelphia was rich with a potter's most important natural resource, clay. They continued with their redware traditions and made use of the locally available white clay. Early Pennsylvania Dutch pottery is known for its slip trailing decoration. Read more about the history of Pennsylvania pottery.

Thomas Reece started creating organic modern stoneware during the 1960s in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He went on to be a highly acclaimed pottery artist. Reece passed away in 2013, but his inventive works from the 60s, 70s, and 80s have become rare and highly collectible.

The globular jug vase above, in organic earth tones on naturally speckled clay, has the swirling ribbon-like handles for which Reece was known. It is a good example of his work in the 70s.

Linda Stauffer is a talented artist in many mediums and a potter for over fifty years. She retired from teaching in the Easton Area School District after 30 years and now teaches at the Haycock Township Community Center. She is also the founder of the Katie Stauffer Memorial Art Center created in memory of her beloved daughter Katie, who died in a tragic car accident at the age of 19. The center is now part of the Bucks County YMCA.

As you can imagine, Thomas Reece's widow was left with a full pottery studio. Along came Linda Stauffer with an offer to buy all of it, including Thomas's kiln. Linda and crew began disassembling the kiln and transporting it to its new home. Bricks, bricks, and more bricks!
And then the build begins! Pictures of the entire process here!
There is nothing quite like the excitement of an inaugural firing!
And then the thrill of the results! It takes a community to make magic like this happen. Congratulations to you all!
What Were the Mysteries from the Reece Pottery Tools?
This first item was clearly identified on the bottom as a Bailey product but what is it? It has been determined that this is an early model of our Bailey Slab Divider with some replaced parts. The new ones are 30 or
40 inches wide and come with six cutters. It's a great tool for cutting many tiles quickly.

The third item is an Original Quick Trim. With magnetic holders to hold your pot in position, it was a quick and easy tool for the beginner to use for trimming. It wasn't long before teenage boys discovered that at very high wheel speeds the magnetic holders could fly off. Jim Bailey went back to the drawing board, and the Quick Trim II was born. It, like the Original, is a very popular trimming tool. If you have an Original, don't let teenage boys near it and use it at trimming speed!

Look what we spotted in Linda's studio pictures!
Bailey Bucks in Your Account!
$5.00 OFF or $10.00 OFF your next order!
Everyone likes a few extra bucks in their Bailey account for their next purchase!

Spend $50 by Thursday and you will have a $5 coupon attached to your account toward your next order. Spend $100 and you will get a $10 coupon! Amount spent is calculated after discounts are applied and before shipping charges are added. Offer good for new orders only. 

Use code 2021$$ in the comment field online or mention it to our sales staff when ordering by phone.
 
The offer expires at midnight, Thursday, August 19, 2021.
Every Day Is a Sale Day at Bailey! 

20% OFF Amaco, Coyote, Georgies, and Laguna (liquid only) glazes
25% OFF Spectrum and Mayco glazes
No minimum purchase on these discounts.
10% OFF Dolan, & van Gilder tools
15% OFF Xiem, & MKM tools
16% OFF the Steve Tool
20% OFF Sponges
22% OFF Sherrill Mudtools
25% OFF Doo Woo, WiziWig & Bailey tools 
25% OFF Brushes
30% OFF Kemper tools + FREE shipping (excluding the IKEG and raku tongs) on Kemper orders over $40! 
Up to 40% OFF Catalyst tools 
No minimum purchase on these discounts.
Offers good on all new orders until midnight, Thursday, August 19, 2021. Coupon codes are not needed. *Free Freight/Shipping in the contiguous US only, applies to in-stock items only. Some restrictions apply.

Bailey Ceramic Supplies and Equipment
62-68 Ten Broeck Ave
Kingston, NY 12401

Toll-Free: 1-800-431-6067
Local: 845-339-3721
Fax: 845-339-5530
Mon - Fri 9am - 4:30pm EST