The TB Button
In my recent post on the MB button, I ended on a note about the rarity of the “TB” button. Well, I found one – on a character plaque owned by a person here in Homestead. A close up of … Continue reading →
Bea Peskoe Lunchtime Series Presentation on Mary Blakley Ceramics
On January 5, 2014, I gave a PowerPoint presentation in the Pioneer Room of the First National Bank in Homestead about the history behind Mary Blakley Ceramics. It was sponsored by the Homestead Center for the Arts. Many people collect … Continue reading →
An Early Flower Piece
This small piece, about 5″ wide by 12″ tall, which is in the collection of a Homestead resident, is very interesting. When I first saw it, I was very puzzled, because the glazed flowers, buds and vase are painted with … Continue reading →
The MB Button
In the last six months, I’ve become aware that there are many collectors of the work of Mary Blakley Ceramics who believe that if their piece has an “mb” button on it, similar in appearance to this photograph, that the … Continue reading →
The Whimsie Sticker
I’m not sure what Tom and Mary did to identify their work before 1966 – perhaps they signed the pieces or inscribed their names in the clay. Starting in 1966, though, as the business grew, Tom created a little sticker … Continue reading →
Mary and the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
I don’t know how or when Mary learned about the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts since I was busy pursuing my own life. No doubt, she had known about Haystack for many years and wanted to go but was unable … Continue reading →
The Winter Park Towers Mural
I just returned from a trip to Winter Park, Florida, where I took photographs to document the ceramic mural that Tom and Mary created in 1965 for the front entrance of the Winter Park Towers retirement home in Winter Park, … Continue reading →
The Door Series
In this post, I thought that I would put on my art critic hat and try to provide some background for the gallery entitled “The Door Series”. Tom and Mary were soul mates and when Tom died in August of … Continue reading →
From Miami to Homestead
While Tom and Mary lived in Miami with Mary’s mother and aunt, they worked at establishing themselves and explored South Florida. In high school, Tom played football and also ran track. While in Indiana, he ran a trap line for … Continue reading →
A Gift from Marianna
This is a photograph of a piece by Marianna von Allesch in my possession. It seems to be a miniature fresco, depicting a Biblical scene. It is inscribed on the back “For Mary M. Blakley From Marianna von Allesch Christmas … Continue reading →