A year and a half ago my friend Meredith was married in the beautiful Virginia countryside.
The wedding welcome bags included a beautiful mug made by Meredith’s Aunt Ella, who we got to know over the course of the wedding weekend. Ella and I talked about how she could get her pottery business online.
A year later, she has launched Soap Creek Pottery.
“Where did you get that bowl” is one of KERF’s most frequently asked questions. Ella invited me to share her site with all you bowl and mug lovers and sent me a few pieces to highlight.
Her pottery is gorgeous (love the colors!) and most of them have a function – “Art with a purpose,” as Ella says. Everything is made by hand so now two pieces are alike.
This sweet bowl is actually an egg cooker! With a lid and holes for steam, you can microwave your egg for an easy poached effect. I’ve cooked a few eggs already, and while one blew the lid off, the others have been great!
This plate is a garlic grater and dipping dish in one.
Of course I love oatmeal bowls : ) The leaf is a nice touch!
This is a French butter keeper. We store our butter in a cabinet instead of the fridge so it stays soft, and this keeps it super soft and spreadable!
And finally this crazy looking bowl is actually a Tipsy Chicken cooker! You might know it as “Coke can chicken” or “Beer can chicken.” The pottery is a bit prettier than a can : ) {And you can also use it as a serving bowl if you wish.}
Matt and I put it to the test for dinner one night.
We filled the bottom with sweet potatoes, carrots and celery plus a lot of thyme and garlic. Then we filled the “can” in the middle with home brewed beer. I’d recommend a good bit around the veggies too so they cook well. {You can always use broth instead of beer or wine.}
Mr. Chicken went in with more garlic and herbs plus some lemon.
Per Ella’s directions, we baked him for a little under 2 hours at 350*, which was right about when our thermometer indicated he was baked.
The chicken came out perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Delish!
But of course my favorite part was the juicy veggies underneath!
Ella offered to give away a gift credit towards any one of her pieces up to $20. Enter below!
My favorite is the honey pot and dipper. So cute and functional!
That pottery is absolutely beautiful! When I lived in NC I bought a few pieces to remember my time there. Of course, I could always use a few more! 🙂
I love the tipsy chicken cooker!
I love the mugs 😉
The coffee mug!
I would love the garlic keeper! Fingers crossed, thanks for sharing!
what perfect gifts!
I work at a college and the students have a sale of the previous year’s projects around the holidays. I always snag an item or two. I can’t wait to check out Ella’s items. They are stunning! It is such an awesome thing to have handmade pottery to use.
I am definitely loving the personalized pet bowl and the oatmeal bowl (shown above)!
Functional pottery is the best! Friends of mine in Ohio make similar items. I like the bowles with leaves on them; it makes for a unique handle!
You’re exactly right Bethany. Handmade stoneware pottery is kind of like “comfort food” … it just makes you feel good to eat and drink out of a handmade piece. Thanks for your interest.
I love the pieces with the leaf details!
I love the bird bath!
Love that tipsy chicken cooker!
Beautiful pottery! I have been wanting to get better plates and bowls for a long time now, but my husband and I are still doing the apartment life thing… I’m so scared they would get broken in a move. Maybe I should get over it and just treat myself!
Just realized I need to mention my favorite product to enter the giveaway – how do you choose?! I truly love them all. I’m gravitating toward the 3 part relish dish and the sponge holder – I’d love for my sponge to be sitting pretty rather than looking boring on the edge of the sink. 😉
I think the relish dish is one of the most versatile pieces I have. I made it originally for relishes or condiments but my customers give me the best ideas … taco fixings, baked potato fixings, nuts, m & m’s, etc. What are your ideas for it?
I love the relish dish! Super cute idea for different mustards, dips, etc.
I’d love the cereal/soup bowl!
I’d love to try that tipsy chicken cooker. I bake chicken that way pretty often and it would be a lot easier with that pan!
I love the personalized pet bowl and the batter bowl set! Everything is so beautiful, though!
It’s so hard to pick just one – they’re all beautiful! I guess I’ll have to go with the salsa bowl and 2-piece tray set. I really can’t decide between the two.
Love the 2-piece tray set and the mini salt pinch!
Beautiful pieces. I love handmade dishware. Can Canadians enter the giveaway? I’d love that “beer can” chicken piece.
Beautiful!
I think the bird feeder is my favorite but it’s honestly so hard to choose!
What beautiful pieces! I love homemade pottery.
I just showed my husband the tipsy chicken cooker-I’m obsessed!
I just love all of her pottery!! I would love to try the can in a chicken piece!
I love the mugs & cream and sugar set – how cute! And did you see the egg separator? oh my hilarious!!
The pottery is gorgeous.
Great review! I love her yarn bowl. I will keep her website for gift ideas. thanks!!
The 2-piece tray set looks beautiful and very handy!
As an oatmeal lover, I also love the bowl 🙂
Love the oatmeal bowls!!!
Love the french butter keeper!
Wow! SO many options! I absolutely adore handmade pottery and have collected pieces from many artists over the years. My favorite item is the fruit feeder – how creative!
I want that bowl you cooked the chicken in
I love the garlic grater!! Such beautiful pottery 🙂
I like the egg cooker!
Love the Ikebana vase.
I just love the cereal/soup bowl. so unique! (:
Beautiful!! I’ve been looking for a salt pinch – the one she has made is beautiful!!
Am I the only one having issues with the comments? I see there are some but when I click on them it says ‘0 comments’ unless I leave one… odd!
Gorgeous set! I love unique dishes.
You’re not, unfortunately. Working on it!
What a great concept, these pieces are beautiful! Great give away!
I eat oatmeal everyday and absolutley love all of the ‘oatmeal’ bowls she has!
I like the honey pot. I’ve been looking for a nice one. I also like the two part relish tray. She has many pretty and folky things.
This pottery is beautiful. In my younger years (pre-children) I used to love making my own pottery. I will definitely check out her website. It’s so nice of you to help her get her store up and running online.
I certainly agree with you about how nice and generous Kath has been. She rocks!!!
I really love the mugs!
Her pottery is beautiful. ! I actually really love the bird feeder!
I love the pottery – creative and pretty!
The Tipsy Chicken Bake is ingenious! If I win the gift card I’m definitely purchasing one!
The coffee mug is my favorite!
I love the idea of the Tipsy Chicken Cooker! What a unique piece to offer.
I love the baby batter bowl. So cute!
i’m taking a pottery class now and this is giving me some great ideas. love the butter holder!
These pieces are so beautiful! I NEED the Tipsy Chicken cooker and the French Butter Keeper.
I like this pottery!
This pottery is so pretty
So many different pieces I love.. The colors are gorgeous. The bird bath is really cute!
I love all of them, but the garlic keeper is especially cool!
Bake-and-Serve Apple/Vidalia Onion Baker is way too awesome!
I love the oatmeal bowl, or maybe one size bigger for fruit smoothies!
Love the oatmeal bowls!
Gorgeous pottery. I absolutely love the blue egg cooker!
I love beautiful pottery! Makes such a nice presentation than your typical serving dishes.
Love all of the decorative bowls, so pretty!
I love that chicken roaster!!
I love the french butter keeper!
I love the “tipsy” chicken cooker. Just like your recipe you can make an entire meal in one dish!!
I love the cereal and soup bowl..and the garlic keeper!
All of these items are beautiful! I would love to add some to my home.
I like the butter dish!
Ooh, I love handmade pottery like that! I used to live in Vermont and saw that kind of stuff a lot, but her cooking dishes are really unique!
Such beautiful pottery. I love the colors.
so beautiful! I would love a mug.
I love both the mini bundt pan and the tipsy chicken cooker!
Looks so great! You could make chicken stock out of the leftover chicken carcass, too 🙂
I love the mugs and mixer bowls! The colors are beautiful.
The tipsy chicken cooker is also a favorite! Never done it before, would love to try it out!
Love the sponge holder!
I would LOVE one of her pieces!!! I love ceramics and have dabbled in pottery myself – and always love supporting artists!!
I’ve been having a lot of trouble seeing updates on this website lately….Am I the only one?
Tonya, can you be a bit more specific? Are the posts not showing up? I switched to a new host with a new cache so things might be a bit sticky for a few weeks while we tweak the plugin
I love the garlic grater! I saw one similar at a trade show and have kicked myself for not buying one.
Love the little egg cooker!
Love the butter dish
I LOVE the yarn bowl and the bird houses! The pieces are all so unique, and I’m stunned at how affordable everything is! Thank you for highlighting this growing business.
I am loving the batter bowl set! Too pretty!
Love the French Butter Keeper!
Such beautiful pottery! Would love to win!
Oops, didn’t tell you what I would want! I would love the mug or the dip bowl. So many great products!
I love the oatmeal bowls! They are all so beautiful!
What beautiful and unique items! How could I pick just one?!?!?! I LOVE the idea of the chicken cooker. The simple coffee mug is a fav for sure (drinking coffee out of a unique/special mug is an addiction of mine).
I will definitely be bookmarking her site for a future purchase 🙂
I love the french butter keeper. Thanks for the giveaway!
Here pottery is beautiful! I love it all but would probably end up choosing a coffee mug because I have an obsession with collecting them!
I love the oatmeal bowls. Such gorgeous pieces!
I love the mini-salt pinch! Cute!
I love the coffee mug! I can never have too many.
What beautiful pottery! I love the butter keeper! We also keep ours in the cabinet, but it’s in a regular butter dish. I like that one so much better. I also really like the garlic grater/dipping dish! Thanks for sharing–I will definitely check out her site!
I LOVE rustic, handmade pottery. Especially when the pieces are functional! The French butter crocks are definitely becoming more popular…I have quite a few friends that have picked them up. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful pottery!
I like the mini bundt pan 🙂
Beautiful pieces.
ooh that cereal/soup bowl…love the handle!
Egg Cooker pls…
interesting, i’ve never cooked chicken like that before. i can smell it from here!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/02/taking-stock-2.html
I think all the pottery is so beautiful! I appreciate the time, skill, and patience required to hand create pieces. Cheese and crackers are big party items at my home, so I find the “U” shaped Cracker Dish particularly appealing.
I love the egg cooker. How perfect!
I love the soup/cereal bowls! I have oatmeal almost every morning for breakfast, and those bowls would be just perfect 🙂
Everything looks so pretty. I’ve been wanting to get a butter keeper so this would be perfect.
Tough choice.they all look great. I love the bird feeder though since they congregate outside my apt. daily since my housemate and I love to have them visit. She’s a photographer and I’m just nostalgic because my late mama loved to sit and watch the birds.
Oh and that toad abode is adorable!
I love the garlic keeper or the honey pot! They are both beautiful pieces! And very handy
I would love the French butter keeper!
I love the 30-Second Egg Cooker!
Kath–to elaborate on the website issues:
For example, I got an email notification that you replied to my original comment but now as I try to reply to that, I’m looking at 0 comments under this post. So as I’m typing this it looks like I’m the first person to leave a comment.
On the KERF homepage it showed 77 comments when I brought the web page up, but then when you click to add a comment or read comments, it shows zero. I know a few days ago, I was seeing the same post for a few days. Earlier today I was unable to use the rafflecopter widget above because it disappeared then kept refreshing or something. Hope this info helps! Or at least makes some sort of sense. LOL Good luck and thanks!
Yikes. Thanks!
I have always loved the french butter keepers!
I LOVE Ella’s coffee mugs! They seem more like “goblets” and I relish the thought of holding a hot cup of coffee in my hands in that mug! Love the cobalt blue.
Unable to read comments. Not sure why Kath.
disregard. Now its working fine. Hope I win. I can use a mug for work.
Ah – want that tipsy chicken dish!!
The French butter keepers is great, my brother has one and I wish we did too!
I love everything! it’d be hard for me to choose since I just moved into my new house and am trying to decorate it!
I love hand made pottery! I would love something new to add to my collection.
Love that butter dish! These pieces are all so beautiful and unique. I can always appreciate handmade functional art!
Tipsy chicken cooker is cute!
I’d get the mini bundt pan!
I like the mini salt pinch!
Love so many items, including that great egg cooker, but the brie baker is tempting as well.
I like the “nature” bowl.
I love whole grain chips and homemade salsa, so the salsa bowl is my favorite!
I think I’m sold on the tipsy chicken cooker. My kids do love roasted chicken and veggies. I would totally use that at least twice a week.
S/n: Kath my youngest son said that he was giving up so much sugar. He said he needs to get serious with dieting/ healthy eating! YES WE’RE MAKING PROGRESS!
Yay!
I think I’m sold with the tipsy chicken cooker. (I think I posted this but it didn’t show up. Hope it was something I did)
The birdbath!
you’re right the pottery is gorgeous – and the food looks pretty good too!jan
Beautiful pottery! I’m taken with the mugs. Thanks for the giveaway!
Beautiful pottery! I love the birdbath.
Oh this is beautiful! She is talented. I love the honey pot and also the fish platter oh….and the bird feeders….AND the chicken cooker!
Love all the pottery, but I think the chicken cooker would be my fave!
The tray set is lovely!
I would love to win this! The garlic grater dish for dipping oil is the absolute perfect gift for Mother’s Day for my mom!
I love this pottery!!
The garlic grater dish is a cool idea!
So many cute things on the website.
We just got a new puppy a few weeks ago! I think she needs her own beautiful bowl!
I love handmade pottery!! I love the butter keeper and the tipsy chicken cooker. I love her mugs as well. I only use fun & beautiful ceramic mugs. Hers would be a wonderful addition to my collection.
I can’t stop thinking about the Brie cooker! Book club next time would be devine with that!
Just FYI, I also use the brie baker as a small casserole dish or a serving dish for a side vegetable. It’s also great with a cracker dish nestled around it. Thanks for your interest.
i really like the sponge holder! we are always looking for one that is nice and this hit it!
The “Tipsy” Chicken Cooker! We definitely need this one in our kitchen!
For everyday I love the soup/cereal bowl, but I REALLY love the Salsa Bowl! I think that will be added to my wedding registry. 🙂
i love the tipsy chicken cooker and the butter crock!
I love the French Butter keeper. I make all of our bread at home, and we love bread and butter as a snack. I’d love to have softened butter handy at all times.
I love this cereal/soup bowl! http://www.soapcreekpottery.com/products-page/cooks-corner/cerealsoup-bowl/
I would love a French butter keeper!
the coffee mug!
What lovely items she makes!
i love the french butter dish! i saw one of these in a friend’s house years ago, and have not seen another one since. i love the idea of keeping butter fresh but soft and spreadable.
I love the butter crock and the cereal bowls!
I would love to try the tipsy chicken cooker
Cooking whole chickens intimidates me, but this looks worth a try!
No need to be intimidated Lindsey … I include a recipe that is simply delicious and easy to boot. Your cooking will be a big hit!
That tipsy chicken thing looks awesome!
I can tell she likes to cook by the functionality of her pieces! I’d love that little garlic grater/bowl.
That relish dish shaped like a pea pod = love it!
I always love a new, unique mug
I love the French butter dish!
That chicken looks amazing & the pottery is gorgeous!
Love these pottery pieces. Can’t wait to add a few to my collection.
Really, everything is beautiful on her site! Especially love the garlic grater dipping dishes and the fish platter set. 🙂
butter holder! so many cool things, though
All of the pieces are gorgeous! I want the tipsy chicken cooker 🙂 so pretty and makes amazing food, what more could you want.
Love the garlic grater!
I love the mini salt pinch! And the French Butter Keeper!
Wow this pottery is beautiful! I would love one of those oatmeal bowls!
they’re all so pretty! i would love the baby batter bowl 🙂
I love the look of the Brie Baker!
I love the coffee mug!!
I love the French butter keeper! The blue grey color is really pretty.
I love the “Tipsy” Chicken Cooker.
I love the mug.
The Tipsey Chicken baker is great! My husband usually grills or smokes beer can chicken, but I love the idea of baking it with veggies (especially in winter!)
Thanks for keeping things local/small business- I love supporting them!
I love the chicken cooker! Those veggies look delicious, too!
I love the oatmeal/cereal bowls! So many beautiful pieces!
I would love an egg cooker!
So many beautiful things to choose from… I’d say the salsa bowl, oatmeal bowl…ok–anything!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love that tipsy chicken cooker. Or the sponge holder.
This chicken recipe sound delicious. I would like to try it with wine, yum!
As a matter of fact, Kari, I make mine with white wine and fresh rosemary in the center cup, I sprinkle the chicken real heavy inside and out with Montreal Steak Seasoning. The liquid just infuses the chicken from the inside but the skin gets real crispy. Deeelish!!!
I love the two piece tray set!
Loving the tipsy chicken dish and the sponge holder!
I would love the set of bowls!
Love the platters, so gorgeous
Definitely the french butter keeper
The microwave egg cooker is genius! I have never seen anything like that.
This pottery reminds me of my favorite place to visit….Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan!!
I love the tipsy chicken cooker!
I have a mug similar to that from Gattlinburg, TN and I LOVE it!! I’ve been dying for more. This site will definitely be used in the future for gifts! Who knew that a sponge holder could be so beautiful?
I think my favorite item might be the garlic keeper…so cute!
Love pottery that can really be used! I am starting a collection and will definitely reach out to Aunt Ella. Thanks!
love the tipsy chicken cooker. beautiful colors in all her pottery.
I love that Tipsy Chicken Cooker! What a great idea. All of the pieces are beautiful though!
I want to try the chicken cooker!!!
I love, love, love the Fish Platter set. I live on a lake so we like having a few fish related decor items around.
I’d love to try the Tipsy Chicken Cooker though, your meal looked really yummy!
I really want the chicken cooker!
Those are lovely! I took a pottery class in high school and made exactly one bowl that looked like a bowl, barely. Nice work, Ella.
I really, really like the chicken cooker!
So many beautiful options! I’d really love the french butter keeper, or one of the beautiful bowls.
I love the Brie baker. It’s a family favorite at the holidays but it’s always so messy. I never knew they made specific bakers for it. Fabulous!
I love the one you featured. What a great, easy, healthy way to prepare dinner!
I love the salsa bowl and coffee mug!
I’ve cooked a lot of eggs in the microwave in my day. If you pierce both the white and yolk (you don’t have to break it, just stick a fork in once), that should prevent the exploding effect.
I love these pieces and that you can use them instead of only being able to look at them. That is totally cool!
I love the African Violet Pot!
I would totally use most of her stuff. But I think my top three would be a sponge holder, the onion/apple baking bowl and the chef’s salt pinch. I am just thrilled that these pieces are as pretty as they are functional. Totally awesome.
I love the leaf soup/cereal bowls!
The tipsy chicken cooker is a great idea! I always spill the can of soda when I pull the chicken off.
The french butter keeper for sure!!! I miss making pottery!!
I ALWAYS need more mugs.
Love the relish dish!!
Love the tipsy chicken bake!
They are all so beautiful. I love the bundt pan.
Chicken roaster – genius!!
I ***NEED**** that egg cooker! If I don’t win, I’m buying it right up!
I love the brie baker: always a hit for parties and so easy too!
My favourite is the garlic grater dipping dish – I know we would use it almost daily! All of the pottery is awesome though – I also love the honey pot with dipper. I could definitely see myself buying some pieces in the future as gifts for various family and friends!
The egg separator made me laugh, and I loved the fish plates, too.
I love the baby batter bowls!
A mug dedicated to cooking bacon?! Count me in 🙂
The mug or garlic plate
The French Butter Keeper would come in handy.
that egg cooker is great!!!!
Love the coffee mug!!! =D
I have been looking for a French butter keeper for the longest time. I love it in cobalt blue.
These are amazing! Love the 2 piece tray.
The egg poacher is so adorable, plus I love the blue!
I love the tipsy chicken cooker! We love to make beer can chicken on the grill, but live in Maine where we clearly can’t grill year round (and our beer can chicken contraption is too tall to fit in the oven). This looks lower profile, so we could prepare this delicious recipe during the winter, as well!
My favorites are the salsa bowl and the coffee mugs!
I love the “We are the clay” plate. Everything on that site is gorgeous! Thank you for the giveaway. 🙂
LOVE the oatmeal bowl, I have a bunch of bowls I have collected from traveling and I search for details like the leaf!
I love the coffee mugs!!! They look nice and big and so pretty. Second favorite is the garlic scraper dipping dish, what a great idea!
I would love the Tipsy Chicken Cooker – what a great idea and so much more stable than trying to balance the chicken on your own.
Thanks to all for making this give-away so successful. Most of all thanks to Kath for her creative energy she put into this feature. Congrats to our winner, Lindsey. She selected a mini bundt pan for her free pottery and it has now been featured on Soap Creek Pottery’s Facebook page.
Keep checking my Facebook page to watch for future give-aways. If you like it, share it with your friends so they can enter also.
Thank you all for your kind comments and interest.
I love the tipsy chicken cooker and everything just looks homey, heartwarming and absolutely beautiful. I really want to try your chicken recipe at home and serve it together with these amazing heralth bars that I recently discovered. These snack bars give one meal to one child in an underdeveloped country for each chocolate bar they sell. I would love for more moms to know more about social entrepreneurship and about these types of products.
This is beautiful pottery! Thanks for sharing,