Watt Pottery

In 1935 the Watt family started producing hand painted pottery that has been highly collectible for years. Like everything with the new tech generation this pottery has slowly dropped in value. Watt pottery was produced in Ohio. The plant closed in the 1960's. The hand painted patterns were the wares I grew up scouting at flea markets for my Grandfather. He had many followers waiting for a rare piece phone call!
Many people collected the Apple and Rooster pattern. I still will purchase Watt at garage sales. I have never had an issue reselling this pottery. Usually people have know idea it's value. Many times I have picked up creamer pitchers for $1 and easily resell for $25. I once stopped at a garage sale when I was about twenty and picked up a mint condition never used large serving bowl. It was the lady's grandmother's and was stuffed in an attic. I paid fifty cents. That bowl at the time was worth almost $200. Sadly today at a high end show I would be lucky to get $75.
I have seen some poor knocks offs at country stores or like Cracker Barrel. I say poor because if you know the authentic their pretty bad reproductions. Watt pottery colors are more subdued. The apples are not fire engine red but more deep and closer to burgundy.

Right now the hard to find pieces will still hold the most value. Casserole pots with the lid and no chips can still fetch at least $100. Mugs are rarely just found. Watch EBay auction prices. Get a feel for current rates. However don't get overly hung up on auction prices if you are reselling at a show. Remember shows don't have bidding wars. Also "rare" promo pieces again are going to skyrocket in price if you get the right collectors at the right time. Sometimes EBay can be tricky because you have old dealers or hoarders throwing out crazy numbers because they are in denial...you need to watch the piece and see if; sold, any bids, bids but did not reach buyer minimum. We all wish Grandma's hutch of goodies is worth a ton but!!!
As I always say be careful when purchasing average pottery or glass like Watt. The market is down because collectors well...are dying. So the last thing you want to buy is chipped, overly crazed or missing lid pieces. This stuff does not hold it's value in these circumstances because it is not rare, important to industry or in demand.

I Feel My Health Has Been Sold to Marketing

Maybe you are like me. I have a lot of questions anymore about the science experiment type labels on manufactured food. The more I read about products I was duped into thinking were healthier than my Grandparents and Great Grandparents menu, the more I want to run from these so called fat free, low sodium, low sugar etc products. The problem is your hooked. You have to reprogram your thoughts and body.
Seriously if you really wanted to eat from the earth like your Grandparents then grocery stores would be the size of mini marts. Is that part of the answer....Too many people would lose their jobs if many of these man made, heart stopping, obesity bullets would be banned??? CEO's would no longer be multi millionaires. No more super sized products, giant grocery stores and glorified fast food family restaurants! Just think popular name brands could be beaten by locally made naturally made products. Or they would have to ditch the chemicals and make products maybe not so tastefully addictive but, still good. Do you really think that bag of your favorite chips are a sensory over load by chance??
I think we're in a sad time when it comes to health in the United States. People from afar say we are a wealthy nation who has too much food. We're pigs. However I don't believe that is the real problem. We have been told by so many people and companies that are ancestors food was bad news. They ate from the farm but, somehow Americans and the government were duped by snake oil salesmen. Or we were just hijacked by money hungry, unscrupulous people?
The latest is margarine. Real butter, from real things is bad. Margarine stuffed with trans fats has been pushed for years by health organizations. You now have generations of people who buy huge tubs of margarine every week. They have no idea the taste of real butter. Furthermore when you tell people something is healthier it's like a license to use more! Do you see where I am going with this? You have generations reared on boxed food, frozen dinners and low this and that. This is a serious health crisis for the U.S.
I was at a local food bank distribution. It is really sad the food poor elderly and children are receiving for free. It's free death. It's the stuff nobody wants or extremely cheap food. This stuff is high sugar, sodium and man made crap. You have heart patients and diabetics taking this stuff home. I know it's free but, it's another example of what is available for Americans to eat.
Have you picked up an item at the store and think oh this is not bad but, read the label and astounded? Sodium is the one that goes through the roof if it says low sugar. These companies have to figure out a way for you to buy and make the food chemistry taste good. They know if you want low sugar you won't read the rest of the label. You also need a guide to the names used on the nutrition panel!
Another culprit in this mess are health organizations and fad diets. Both are allowed to just claim stuff and confuse you more! There are some really convincing extreme and bizarre salesmen out there. There is a guy who I have seen multiple times on PBS. I even bought one of his books. He has many valid points but, his lifestyle change is extreme. He also claims a lot of healing will happen if you just stick to vegetables and nuts. It will all work out! Let me tell you I wanted this to work. However I don't have a gall bladder. But, he made claims like hey it's all in your head and your body is just in shock from the health overload. My body was in shock all the way to the bathroom a hundred times! This is real convenient for life or let's just say work!
I have realized by food diaries I have some food sensitivities. I avoid certain foods and I don't have issues. I have also realized I do need to eat from the earth and steer clear of many aisles in the grocery store. This is all a challenge. You have to reprogram yourself and you have to plan. You are busy working and trying to maintain a house. I feel your pain. Maybe you are tired from work, shuttling the kids or maybe your back hurts. I know I feel ya. We got to muster a little more effort and likely do a little more planning to make healthy eating work and pass it along. Good luck to you and keep up the good food fight!