Monthly Archive for April, 2009

April Earring Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Jacqueline Lianos of Manchester, NH. “What a treat! Thanks so much. I look forward to my new earrings,” was her reaction to learning she won a pair of Watering Can Earrings.

Each month, we select a winner of our monthly gift of a pair of Gibson Pewter Earrings.

May’s draw will win a pair of Yin/Yang Earrings, to philosophically weather the vagaries of New England spring temperatures.

Register in the box in the right-hand corner to receive periodic updates about our new products and promotions, and your name will be among those we select from each month. Your chances are best now, as we are just beginning to grow our online list.

Published on Thursday April 30, 2009 in Pewter and Raffle Winners. 0 Comments

Shop News for April 2009

I’ve finished the sugar bowl, creamer and tray to go with the Queen Anne Teapots. So now we have a complete and elegant set!

Collectors have referred to this style of teapot as "Queen Anne" even though they were introduced during the reign of King George III (1760-1801), well after her reign (1704-1711). Some collectors refer to this type simply as an 18th century pear-shaped teapot. I think all would agree that whatever the name, the style is without rival. These teapots are beautiful and elegant.

It is exciting to now offer a full tea service. The Creamer shares the same style of cabriole foot as the teapot and has an applied spout. The Sugar Bowl has a beautiful beaded edge on the lid as well as the finial. The 12 1/2" Tray also has the distinctive beaded edge and is made from our heaviest gauge metal.

The Queen Anne Tea Service took a little over two years to complete. This project could not have been possible without the help of fellow craftsman, Bill Thomas, who made two outstanding sectional chucks; one for the teapot and another for the creamer. These collapsible forms allow me to shape the bodies out of a single piece of pewter, thereby eliminating a solder joint in the belly and the possibility of a future leak.

Fellow pewter enthusiast and antiques dealer, Wayne Hilt, loaned me a splendid 18th century creamer to help inspire the design of my creamer. Wayne also carved the model handle for the teapot which Bill now carves for me.

Last but not least, a special thanks to Lee Ring for making a wonderful 18th century type bronze mold for hollow casting the teapot spouts.

Monthly Earring Raffle Winners

Congratulations to Jacqueline Lianos, our April winner of Watering Can Earrings. The recent spell of summer weather has everyone out in their yards cleaning up from winter and prepping gardens.

Each month, we select a winner of our monthly gift of a pair of Gibson Pewter Earrings. For May, we’ll be awarding a pair of our adorable Yin/Yang Earrings. This is a nod to variable New England spring weather!

Anyone who registers in the box in the right-hand corner of the website receives periodic updates about our new products and promotions, and those names are among those we select from each month. Your chances are best now, as we are just beginning to grow our online list.

Spring has sprung… and not a moment too soon!

Need a Graduation Gift?

High school and college graduates deserve a sophisticated emblem of their accomplishment.

The Letter Opener is another original Gibson design. The twist in the handle makes for a perfect fit in one’s hand. Made from our heaviest gauge metal. It adds a touch of class to any desk or card table. And it is a gift that will be used every day.

Visit our site for other Graduation Gift Ideas.

Published on Wednesday April 15, 2009 in Shop News Newsletter. 0 Comments

Small Sugar Bowl

Small Sugar Bowl


Price: $300

Size:3″ diameter and 4″ tall

Product code: TS9

click image to see larger view

The Small Sugar Bowl is 3″ in diameter and stands 4″ tall to the top of the finial. It is an original design and was made to accompany the Queen Anne teapots.

The body has three incised lines, two in the mid section and one near the top lip. The pedestal base has a rolled lower edge for extra stability. The lid has two incised lines, a beaded finial, and has an outer edge which can be ordered with or without a beaded edge.

Published on Wednesday April 8, 2009 in Bowls, Bridal & Housewarming, Gifts, Pewter and Tea Sets. 0 Comments Tags: .

Creamer with Cabriole Feet

Creamer with Cabriole Feet



Price: $300

Size: 4″ tall

Product code: TS8

click image to see larger view

The Creamer with cabriolé feet stands 4″ tall to the top of the handle. It is a mid-18th century style creamer and was made to accompany the Queen Anne Teapots. The spout, handle, and feet are separate castings which are soldered to the cream pot body. Later 18th century examples have spouts which are an integral part of the upper body casting. Antique examples of these kinds of cream pots are quite rare.

Published on Wednesday April 8, 2009 in Bridal & Housewarming, Gifts, Pewter, Pitchers & Creamers and Tea Sets. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Serving Tray with Beaded Edge

Serving Tray with Beaded Edge


Price: $300

Size: 12.5″ diameter

Product code: TS7


click image to see larger view

The Serving Tray with Beaded Edge is 12.5″ in diameter and was designed to accompany all of my tea services. The 1″ rim has an incised line and distinctive beading on the outer edge to create an elegant serving piece. The tray is made from our heaviest metal stock.

Published on Wednesday April 8, 2009 in Bridal & Housewarming, Gifts, Pewter, Plates & Dishes and Tea Sets. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Blaze Destroys Machinist’s Home & Shop

Stanley Kazimierczak’s machine shop and home, about a mile from my pewter shop, burned to the ground in a fire on March 30, 2009.

Stan is a great guy, and almost nothing worse could have happened since he did not have insurance. He makes a lot of tools for my shop and helps out a lot of people around town. He’s a real crackerjack machinist, and he does beautiful work. We want to see him get back on his feet and back into business.

Stanley has done a lot of work for me over the years, machining the chucks I use to form my pewter pieces. I used to have them made out of wood, but now Stan makes them out of steel and they last forever.

I’ve initiated a fundraiser to help our Hillsborough neighbor rebuild his business. An account has been opened in Kazimierczak’s name at Sovereign Bank in Hillsborough, NH. Supporters may deposit funds there to help him rebuild his business.

If you are intested in making a contribution, visit Sovereign Bank on West Main Street in Hillsborough, NH or call (603) 464-5541.

Published on Wednesday April 8, 2009 in Hillsborough, Media and Pewter. 0 Comments

Queen Anne Tea Service

Queen Anne Tea Service
Price: Footed Teapot set $2,100
Teapot Set without feet $1,900



click image to see larger view

Also sold separately:
Footed Teapot: $1,200
Teapot without Feet: $1,000
Creamer: $300
Sugar Bowl: $300
Tray with Beaded Edge: $300

Collectors have referred to this style of teapot as “Queen Anne” even though they were introduced during the reign of King George III (1760–1801), well after her reign (1704–1711). Some collectors refer to this type simply as an 18th century pear-shaped teapot. I think all would agree that whatever the name, the style is without rival. These teapots are beautiful and elegant.

It is exciting to now offer a full tea service. The Creamer shares the same style of cabriole foot as the teapot and has an applied spout. The Sugar Bowl has a beautiful beaded edge on the lid as well as the finial. The 12 1/2″ Tray also has the distinctive beaded edge and is made from our heaviest gauge metal.

The Queen Anne Tea Service took a little over two years to complete. This
project could not have been possible without the help of fellow craftsman,
Bill Thomas, who made two outstanding sectional chucks; one for the teapot
and another for the creamer. These collapsible forms allow me to shape the bodies out of a single piece of pewter, thereby eliminating a solder joint in the belly and the possibility of a future leak.

Fellow pewter enthusiast and antiques dealer, Wayne Hilt, loaned me a splendid 18th century creamer to help inspire the design of my creamer. Wayne also carved the model handle for the teapot which Bill now carves for me.

Last but not least, a special thanks to Lee Ring for making a wonderful 18th century type bronze mold for hollow casting the teapot spouts.

Published on Tuesday April 7, 2009 in Pewter and Tea Sets. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .