Handcrafted plates, mugs, and bowls from Poland will take over a downtown Milford kitchen store this weekend, and the owner says the crowds are always ready before the doors even open.
Acorn Farms is hosting its 18th annual Polish Pottery Sale beginning Thursday evening (August 6), with shopping running through Sunday alongside the Milford Memories street festival. Owner Kathy Magaluk says the event has built a loyal following because the pottery is as practical as it is beautiful.
“I always say it’s functional art,” Magaluk said. “It all goes freezer, oven, microwave, dishwasher. It’s made to be used and enjoyed.”
The pottery’s durability, she explained, is rooted in its origins. “It started out as peasant pottery, and it was never made to be these fancy pieces that would just be in a china cabinet,” Magaluk said. “They were made for everyday pieces that could be used and enjoyed every day.”
All of the pottery is handmade in Poland. “The pottery is all done by hand,” Magaluk said. “Some of the simpler designs are done where they apply the paint with little sponges to do the patterns.” Higher-end pieces, stamped Unikat - Polish for “unique” - are signed and numbered by the individual artist.
This year’s event will also feature antique pieces brought by importers Rick and Joanne Holton, offering a rare look at how the craft has evolved over generations.
The weekend kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. with a 20% discount that runs through Sunday. The opening night doubles as a party. “We have live music, we have Polish dancers that’ll be performing, we bring in Polish food from Hamtramck,” Magaluk said. Last year the shop introduced a polka dance contest, with a piece of pottery awarded to the best dancer on the floor.
“The sale starts Thursday night, 20% off, and it runs through Sunday, all through Milford Memories,” Magaluk said.
Acorn Farms, a full kitchen and home goods store, also carries more than 30 varieties of bulk olive oils and vinegars. “This is our 18th year we’ve been doing this,” Magaluk said.
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