Kiln Club Holiday Sale

Whether for the spread or the sled, the Kiln Club Holiday Sale has decorative and functional handmade ceramic giftware and tableware for serving and for those deserving.

Harried holidays around the corner, tables and trees await handmade artisan surprises for smart earlybird shoppers, no gullible turkeys are they.

Meet local potters and shop quality one-of-a-kind platters, bowls, cups and more from over a dozen artists. Functional high-fire pottery distinctive for its vivid glassy glazes over porcelain or stoneware is durable and suitable for microwave, oven and dishwasher use. Stunning silhouettes, handpainted details appeal to the artistic eye and are ready to go from kitchen to table.

Decorative raku vases, statuettes and contemporary forms make a stylish centerpiece or hostess gift. Thrown and handbuilt platters can frame your main course, while sides go in sculpted and handpainted servers. Mugs are handy for after-dinner entertaining or milk for Mr. Kringle. Bowls full of jelly can have craftsmanship with splashy, floral and spiraled interiors.

The gift of a one-of-a-kind small plate or dish holds soap, butter, candies, condiments, olives and even keepsakes. Festive holiday ornaments and ceramic jewelry is the stuff of a special stocking. Don't check the list twice; give a brie baker or berry bowl to the naughty and to nice!

Many of the potters are juried members of the Torpedo Factory Art Center's Scope Gallery located at 105 North Union Street, Studio 19, Alexandria, Va. 22314. For further artist information call the Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288, visit www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/scope or visit www.kilnclubwdc.com

Sale is November 3-4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at Colvin Run Mill located at 10017 Colvin Run Rd. in Great Falls, Va. at the intersection of Colvin Run Rd. and Leesburg Pike (Rt. 7). Credit cards, checks, cash accepted.

Kiln Club is an organization of more than 90 Washington D.C. area artists working in the clay medium. Juried members exhibit themed shows every other month at the co-op run Scope Gallery in Alexandria's Torpedo Factory Art Center and members participate in sales in Bethesda, Md. in August and Great Falls, Va. in November.