Today was our usual Saturday market. It poured rain all night. And continued throughout the day. Here is a picture of the Tiber which is muddy and full.
We went out because we needed a few things. It wasn’t cold at all. Just wet. We visited the Carrefour grocery a few steps from the Centro. We picked up some things we needed. I always laugh at the baby food when I notice. I bet you can’t get Coniglio, which is rabbit — baby food!
After the grocery we got some vegetables from the vendors in the pizza. Then I paid a visit to Books for Dogs to make a donation and also visited Laura at her ceramics shop, CeramicArte. You may remember her from posts last year. She is very skilled and will make things to order for you, personalizing them. I wanted to ask about buying a new Deruta ceramic table for our new house. We sold the round table we had made for our terrace with this apartment. The new place has a larger space with room for a bigger table so I thought it would be nice to get one that seats six. I got quotes from her and will drive to Deruta, probably next year, to the factory where she said there were lots of tables all ready to buy.
As always she has lots of great gift items in her shop. Here are just a few.
These are by another artist Carol Brannigan. A very different style, but very nice.
I love the snowman, which is a bell. She had several similar ones hanging on the mantelpiece. If you’re in Umbertide, stop by her shop.
We are told a frigid air mass will be hitting Italy starting tomorrow. Time to batten down the hatches! Buona domenica!
Matt, nope it is baby food! 😁 mmm mmm good. Builds strong bones!
Hi John,
Last time we bought a table we bought from Gialletti Artistiche. The are also one of the oldest in Deruta and have the factory right in the building with kilns and artists at work. We love this table. Laura’s shop here in Umbertide is just an outlet for the sales of the Maioliche factory. She works with them. She may be a member of that family. I must ask her. So anyway, I will be buying from her at her factory which is the one you go to as well. Happy coincidence.
Nancy, I appreciate the desirability of patronizing local businesses, but I would have thought that, for something as big (and expensive) as a ceramic dining table, you should go directly to the source, Deruta?
I know Laura has already given you the names of some ‘factories’ but if the name “Maioliche Originali Deruta” is not among them, it should be, as one Deruta’s oldest and better known ceramic businesses.
It’s been in the hands of the Ranocchia family for decades, and currently managed by Grazi Ranocchia, though you can see her brother, Ivan, and elderly parents puttering around in the background. Their ‘factory’ and artists are right on site on Deruta’s main drag (which runs parallel to the E 45).
We met through a mutual friend who was our immediate next door neighbor and was our ‘go- to’ person for Deruta ceramics for over 14 years. She was also Deputy Major of Deruta for 10 years. Quite a person! You can see her on Facebook at “Deruta Ceramics Italian Majolica”
I can organize a personal introduction if you want? Just let me know. John
I thought it was homogenized salt-free food for rabbits??? Go figure . . .