Everyday stonewear, made in USA?

[Xrayted]

Knot - as far as I know, Pfaltzgraff is made in PA still. I've been to the factory and had a friend who worked there. It's actually a big deal in those parts that they haven't gone overseas. It was always the #1 seller in that region cuz it's local. Bummer that they closed it. I never knew and I lived only 25 minutes away.

I agree that it is very hard to find nice dinnerware at reasonable prices that are still made in USA.
I always liked Bujno potters. Our kitty bowls are made by them. They do nice dinnerware as well as other things but are too expensive if you want an entire set. They make them right there at the shop, one at a time.

I may have to check out those sites that Trek put up. We are looking for a nice dinnerware set ourselves.

[KnottedYet]

The info I got about Pfalzgraff is from the Made In USA site that Trek put up. Nifty site, very interesting. I did find on the Pfalz site where they mentioned being bought in 2005, but nothing about the factory. I suppose I could call them and ask.

I remember when I was a kid it seems like ALL my friends' families had the Colonial pattern Pfalzgraff dishes! (brown and gray and cream were very popular)

There is a pottery co-op near my mom's, and I have thought about commisioning my favorite potter there (she made your vase, Trek; and my beautiful pale blue serving bowl) to make me a set of dishes. That could get expensive, but that'd be even cooler than getting some made in a factory.

Smilingcat - if I tell the potter I want stoneware, not earthenware, will I get the glaze you describe? The clay she uses is white, not red. Is that stoneware? What is a crystalline finish?

[salsabike]

Knott, we got Heath Ceramics when we got married in '91. This past year, we went looking for some replacements for stuff we'd broken. We found a bunch of Heath seconds on Ebay and stocked up. It was great! Take a look there and see if you can find what you want.

[Xrayted]

Knot, you're going to think I'm an idiot, but when I moved here, I left the wheel and kiln behind. I knew they would just go unused because of being in an apartment instead of a house. Also, they were "ours" and I'm not an azz in that way. I miss throwing though.

[smilingcat]

Hi X,

do you have photos of your work? Like to see them. I'm always interested ins seeing others' work.

smilingcat

[Eden]

The info I got about Pfalzgraff is from the Made In USA site that Trek put up. Nifty site, very interesting. I did find on the Pfalz site where they mentioned being bought in 2005, but nothing about the factory. I suppose I could call them and ask.

its pretty misleading if you ask me... I dug around a bit more and finally in the FAQ under - are my dishes safe.... they talk about sourcing from Asia, so I'd say indeed they have shut the PA factory down, or at very least are not getting all of their product from it anymore. They should probably mention that in their little feel good "been in York county every since" bit.....

It does sound that Corelle as long as you stick to the actual Corelle glass wear is still made in the Corning factory.

[KnottedYet]

I'm on the verge of ordering $175 of Fiestaware. (8 place settings, and while $50 more expensive than I initially intended, not far off.)

One of the cool things I'm liking is that I can mix and match colors and get a gazillion other pieces (like chili bows and chowder bowls and serving bowls and salt-n-pepper shakers...)

[SouthernBelle]

Fiesta is made by the Homer Laughlin China Co. http://www.hlchina.com/ which has been around a very long time. I have my grandmother's set of Laughlin china. I have also collected a set of Laughlin "skytone" which I use as my everyday dishes. Anything from them is a good pick.

[Sheesh]

I have Fiestaware and LOVE it. I never even stopped to think about where it was made. :P You can often find it on sale at big department stores...

[KnottedYet]

I did it!

I ordered 8 place settings of Fiestaware kinda cheap from Amazon. Got a mix of half Cobalt and half Cinnabar.

Was only gonna order 4 settings, but then decided that I might like to have people over for dinner and NOT have to break out paper plates!

Whew, kind of scary! I can spend big $$ on a bike or bike stuff, but spending it on dishes makes me hyperventilate a little!

I feel so... domestic. So... commited.

[sandra]

I was going to recommend Fiestaware, but I see someone did and you have already ordered. The great thing about it is that it is never discontinued and you can always add to it or mix and match.

edited because I read to fast and you already said what colors you got.

[carpaltunnel]

KnottedYet, you're thinking the same as a lot of us probably are. I bought a 19.95 set of M i k a s a from the factory outlet store (closing sale) just before the whole China/lead information hit, and they are still in the garage in boxes, waiting for me to figure out if they are safe or not.

[KnottedYet]

I'd use those giant cups for soup and chili AND giant cups of coffee!!

More caffeine, more beans, more happiness!

(coffee is the secret ingredient in my chili. Making chicken chili in the crock pot right now. Will have to eat it from my mystery-content bowls for now, though.)

Carpaltunnel - there's a link back a few posts for a home self-testing kit for lead. Maybe you can test your Mikasa dishes?

[mimitabby]

i have fiesta ware. I have lots of colors. my only regret is that i can't keep buying more. it's wonderful stuff. in 15 years we've only ever broken one piece!

[smilingcat]

KnottedYet, you're thinking the same as a lot of us probably are. I bought a 19.95 set of M i k a s a from the factory outlet store (closing sale) just before the whole China/lead information hit, and they are still in the garage in boxes, waiting for me to figure out if they are safe or not.

Mikasa is Japanese. It should be high fire porcelain with no lead.

Smilingcat