Everything You Need to Know About Galena Pottery
During your getaway to Galena, IL, you’ll be delighted by our historic buildings and alluring charm of our quaint town. Whether you are window shopping or want to purchase something unique, browse the delightful stores offering Galena pottery for sale. Each of these boutiques boasts stoneware teapots and decorative pieces. Or, you can create your own masterpiece during one of the interactive classes. You’re sure to find the perfect ceramic to add to or start your collection.
No matter what time of year you visit our lovely haven in the northwestern corner of Illinois, request a copy of our free Vacation Guide! This detailed trip planner lists our favorite places to purchase Galena pottery, the best restaurants, and which historical sites to tour. Our carefully curated guide features a sample of the beautifully appointed guest rooms and relaxing amenities at Farmer Guest House!
Galena Pottery: How It Began and Continues to Shape Our Community
Less than a 10-minute walk from our charming bed and breakfast, you’ll be on Main Street and the Helluva Half Mile. This stunning avenue features over 100 shops, eateries, and other unique destinations for you to enjoy. Read over our local insights to discover its origins and the places to buy pottery in Galena!
The History of This Pastime
Since the stoneware production of the 1840s, Galena continues to produce some of the finest pottery in the Midwest. In fact, the name of our town correlates to an ancient practice of making lead ore into glazes to dust over wet pottery. This technique helps with preserving the shape during firing the glaze. As you meander through the various ceramic shops, you’ll see this unique procedure infused in the items for sale.
Stone House Pottery & Gallery
One of the most famous Galena artists, Charles Fach, and Sandy, his wife, moved to our town in 1971 and purchased City Brewery. For the past few decades, the couple repurposed the building and transformed it into the Stone House Pottery & Gallery. From the moment you walk in, you’ll be delighted by the collections of decorative items, clay tiles, and a unique Ulysses S. Grant Stein. With a wide variety of prices, you’re sure to find the perfect piece that speaks to you and fits your budget. If you wish to make your own, check out the schedule for the Glaze & Graze, a two-evening weekend extravaganza!
Pinder Pottery, Inc.
Across the street from the Galena Brewing Company, peruse the meticulously crafted masterpieces at Pinder Pottery. Joe Pinder has been creating high-quality crafts since 1985 and decided to share his artistic mind by opening his own gallery and shop in 2013. Not sure if you found the studio? Just look for storefront stating, “Carpe Argillum ~ Seize the Clay!” If you are feeling inspired, you can also browse Paul Eshelman, Pinder’s mentor, who runs his own pottery store in nearby Elizabeth, IL.
Learn More About the Craft
On select weekends throughout the year, delight one of the two self-guided tours of Galena pottery shops. Choose from either the Galena Studio Tour or the Twenty Dirty Hands Tour for an in-depth look at this particular craft. On each of these experiences, you’ll have the rare opportunity to watch local craftsmen in action from spinning the potter’s wheel to placing the soft creation into the kiln to seeing the gorgeous final product. As you watch these talented artists work, ask questions about their creative process and learn something new!
Relax at Farmers Guest House
Nestled in the heart of downtown Galena, delight in the inviting atmosphere of our rustic bed and breakfast. During your stay at Farmers Guest House, you’ll not only sleep in the finest comforts in one of our beautifully appointed guest rooms but also wake each morning to our scrumptious breakfast. Artfully prepared by “The Breakfast Diva” herself, you’ll be treated to one of the finest meals to fuel your daily adventures. Whether you wish to indulge in the delectable baked goods or Susan’s signature breakfast pizza, pair your meal with coffee from our special Farmers Guest House mugs. Once you’ve enjoyed our cuisine, explore the wonderful things to do and shop around the Galena pottery shops. We can’t wait to host you at Farmers Guest House this year!