Pie Funnels
Handmade in England
The English Pie Lady......Discovered!
I am The original creator of all "Donnaware" products, including these lovely unique "Pie Birds" candle snuffers, and Fern Hollow Character collectable figurines.
I have always had an interest in pottery making, have taught Ceramics for almost 17 years at local schools and Adult Education.
I make all my own pieces, then I make the
moulds before slip casting them, decorating them and firing. I do not buy in any
moulds to reproduce. I make original works that I have designed, from original sketches
that I have drawn, from clay to creations
The pieces on this site will not be
made anywhere else in the world.
I love to diversify and love a
challenge. Commissions welcome
See also "The Times" press release .
(see a little potted history or below )
About me
Although my grand parents are of
Swedish origin I was born in Grimsby, England. I have worked and lived
in Lincolnshire all my life in Art related backgrounds, starting straight from school
as an apprentice "thrower" at Alvingham Pottery near Louth. I have
travelled too, working short spells as a Porcelain painter and modelling
figurines in Sheffield. England and Holland.
I have been teaching in Schools and
Adult Education centres 17 years, helping children, Adults and people who suffer Epilepsy.
I have had a passion for clay and been sculpting all my life.
I have exhibited abroad in Germany,
America and sold some work through agents to Libya, Middle East and local towns from small figurines,
Cast Iron Grave memorials, commemorative plaques, slip cast pieces and original custom
made one off's.
My work has been sold within the United
Kingdom. Now however, thanks to the power of the internet and a little stroke of
luck, I am embarking upon exporting my work throughout the world.
I suppose you could say I am a self taught Potter / Sculptress as I have over the years taught myself how to make moulds from one piece to multiple pieces and am familiar with lost wax casting and bronze casting. I have always "played with clay" as my dear Mum would say
I can still hear her saying it Bless her….
I lost my mum January 1998. I truly believe she has a part in this.I always pray that she is watching over me and guiding me.
God Bless you Mam..
I had never used a computer until I purchased one in September 2000 (only to keep up with my two boys now 7 and 9 years old, they knew more than me at such an early age.) I "played " on it a while....
I have now put up this new site dedicated to the work I love.
A little "Potted History"
Traditionally, the earliest Pie Birds were glass and earthenware products, some of Dutch origin plain and unadorned. In the nineteenth century, prominent local tradesmen, Butchers and Bakers would use earthenware pie dishes with their name or company imprinted by a "Decal" or "Transfer for promotional purposes, along with "Pie Funnels" as we in England call them.
"Pie Funnels" or "Pie Birds" or "Pie Vents" are collected today In Great Britain, mainly in the wider content of "Kitchen Collectibles" not usually or seriously in their own right.
However, this does not reflect the situation in America / Canada areas where "Pie Birds" have historically satisfied a market for dual purpose functional / decorative collectibles.
Increasingly the decorative, handmade element in their manufacturer has, and will continue to be the deciding factor in the desirability and collectibility of modern "Pie Birds."
My "Potty Pie Birds" sold world wide to avid collectors are becoming increasingly highly sought after. A sound investment
How are the Pie Birds marked?
Well first I began to put my name on them "Donnaware" or Donna stamped on perhaps a few written on in pigment and fired of course. Also I used the GT.BRITAIN or just BRITAIN stamp. There are a few early ones out there with Don discreetly hidden inside!I have some of the original hand drawn sketches of the designs that I have put here see original sketch link.
For the purposes of attribution here is a little "potted" history of my "Pie Funnels" (as we in England call them.)The very first was Geoff the Chef "Black Mamma" next along with "White Mamma" and "PC Plod the Policeman" then came first Black Chefs, Rabbits and others were introduced, more were to follow over the years until the last design to him was the Golly with outstretched arms and Chubby Teddy with bowl of Porridge and spoon.. from now on my Pie Birds are only available ...Here!...direct from the maker.
More works by Donnaware
