Sunday, June 9, 2013

POLISH POTTERY EXCURSION IN BOLESAWIECKI POLAND

Spoken like a true addict....hehehehe


POLISH POTTERY....I've come to find people either love it or hate it!  I honestly had no desire to own any pieces when we moved to Germany in 2005.  Though throughout the years the patterns have swayed away from the infamous"PEACOCK" design that made my eyes go cross eyed....to now more creative designs.  Which is why with months away from moving we are packing up the car & taking a road trip to BOLESAWIECKI , POLAND.  

THE BIGGEST THING YOU WILL FIND IN THIS TOWN IS POLISH POTTERY.  There is also a  selection of Baskets, cheap beer & some nice Crystal.  The food we have found is way cheaper as well!!!!  
Recommendations:  Make sure to find an ATM prior to coming or carry a credit card.  We found it difficult to find an atm in previous years, but they do have one in the grocery store, just in case you need one.  
Get there early!  Several shops open up at 6am.  We live near the Kaiserslautern area so it takes us a little over 7hours to drive there.  We take our time, drive @ night & pack a cooler.  Tip: If you see an ESSO stop for gas!  Even if we have only used a quarter of a tank, we still stop & fill up.  This is also a perfect time for bathroom breaks, stretch of the legs & snack purchases if needed.  

The border is pretty easy you will need the following: a car fire extingisher, vest, triangle, passports, international drivers license, id card. 
The pottery that has been discounted for whatever reason will either be on the floor or bottom shelf.  

*When purchasing Polish Pottery {PING} THE POTTERY with your fingertips.  LIsten for the {PING} sound.  If there isn't a {PING} sound, there is a hidden crack.  I would not recommend buying it, unless it has been discounted.  Then its at your discretion.

When you enter the store check behind the counter & on a piece of paper will be listed the EXCHANGE RATE for the date.  KNOW IT before you start shopping.  The stores will vary a 4 to 1  up to 4.20 to 1 rate.  

Here are a few rates & conversions we came across on regular priced items & why we believe driving to Poland is worth it vs. buying from a shop in your area.

Large Oval Serving dish measurements 11x13-------117polish 
$ @ 1Euro =4.20polish total pd....27.14Euro/$37.00 Normal price at a local store in Germany 95euro

Brand New popular paisley design small bowl measuring 5 1/2inchesx5 1/2inches....highest priced bowl I got 53.20zl(polish $) @ 1euro=4.05
paid 13.13euro

This is the large oval dish I priced above and the paisley bowl is at the top for you to see



GPS ADDRESS, HOURS OF OPERATION AND MORE
Below are a list of shops in BOLESAWIECKI , Poland w/ address, telephone numbers, emails and Webpages
ANDY****My #1 favorite store***
Tomaszów Bolesławiecki 111 A,
tel./ fax. 0048 (0)75 731 0221,
Hours: Mo- Sat 6 am – 6 pm
Andy’s tends to run a bit higher than other stores but they have really nice designs & sell mostly UniKat or Cat 1 dishware.  What does this mean:  Its dishwasher, oven, stove, microwave safe!!!  There aren't ANY flaws in the design, nor cracks.  Its a SOUND piece of dishware.  

When looking for Andys in the town of Tomaszów turn LEFT at the Church- do not get confused by the Andar Signs on the right. This is a different pottery shop.  It is about a minute or two down a gravel road so don't be alarmed when you see home, cows, sheep, tractors....lol  Your going in the right direction.  I do need to mention that it is a small shop & you will find an artist at work in the back room.  They are not the quickest in packing up your stuff unless you are with a bus but always well worth the wait :o) 
Paint your own mug !!
At Andy’s there is an opportunity to paint your own pot (eg. mug) . Firing the pot takes three days to a week. But if you cannot collect they will happily send it to you if you leave them your address. They will only charge you for the postage. They ask if you would like to paint your own pot to come after 2pm.  
Be sure to leave your physical address and cell number this way Andy can mail your pottery to anywhere in Germany.

This is what 530am in June looks like in Poland :) 


ANDY'S 

SHAUNA & I @ our first pottery store of the day

I'm super excited about the pet items they have & will be adding to my PETERSBURG PET MANOR BOUTIQUE when we move to Virgina 

Ceramika
Czerna 39
0048 (0)75 736 3310
http://www.ceramics.boleslawiec.org 
Hours: Mon- Sat 8am- 8pm
Sun 10 am- 3 pm
Ceramika will give discounts the more ceramic you buy.  Even when its discounted already!!! 
Parking available, They accept $,Euro & Credit Cards
 Ceramika „CERWIK”
Zebrzydowa 62
tel 0048 (0)75 736 3343
Hours: Mon- Fr 7 am- 7 pm
Sat 6 am- 7 pm
This store  has a large assortment of designs & types from various artists  in Bolesławiec.
They have public bathrooms, accept credit cards, $ & Euro
Remember to check what the conversion rate is in EVERY store because the do differ. Today we scored a 4.15 polish money to 1 euro :o) so that 4.15 % by the price on the pottery and that's what you will pay in Euro.  The USD rate was 3.15....also with the credit cards you can choose what you want to be charged....euro, $ ect!!! :o) 
  ZEBRA
ul. Zabobrze 28
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 734 7101
www.ceramica.com.pl 
Hours: Mo- Fr 6 am – 2 pm
Sat and Sun by tel: 0048 (0)503 023 412 (Zenon Bramowski- owner)
A smaller store but still sells pottery.  I like this one because they always have a few patterns that NONE of the other stores have...so be sure to include this in one of your stops!
Be sure to call  the above number to get in though.  We also found that if we emailed them & let them know around the time we would be there, they would have the shop open for us.  But pls be kind & show up at the time or close to the time you said you would be there.
They have parking, bathrooms and accept Credit Cards & Euro
Ceramika Użytkowa
A. Z. Rybak,
ul. Zgorzelecka 22 B
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 732 2089
mobile phone 24/7 0048 (0) 604 96 39 14
Hours: Mon- Sat 9 am- 5 pm
Sun-  you would need to call her mobile
This shop was known as one of „The Three Sisters”.   
Parking, Credit Cards, $ , Euro 
Ceramika Bolesławiecka 
ul. Zgorzelecka 22b
59- 700 Bolesławiec
Hours: Mon – Fr 9 am- 5 pm
This shop was also known as one of „The Three Sisters”
Parking, Credit Cards, $ & Euro
MANUFAKTURA
ul Zgorzelecka 22b
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 732 69 02,
Hours: Mon- Fr 9 am- 5 pm; Sat 8 am- 4 pm
This store is one of Manufaktura’s Pottery shops. Large & Unique varieties of patterns.  
Bathrooms, accept $,Euro & Credit Cards & have parking
Store by Artistic Ceramic WIZA
ul. Masarska 1
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel/fax 0048 (0)75 732 56 32
Hours: Mo- Fr 9 am – 5 pm, Sat 8 am – 4 pm
This shop stocks pottery from the WIZA factory, but also a nice assortment of gift items.
Bathrooms, accept $,Euro & Credit Cards & have parking
HENRY’S ***MY 2ND FAVORITE STORE***
ul. Masarska 1
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 732 2926
Hours: Mo- Fr 8 am – 6 pm, Sat 8 am – 5 pm
Fabulous Store, pretty nice parking, wicker goods mainly  upstairs.  Super friendly & helpful.  A friend of mine was searching for a bowl pattern & my husband came in showed the bowl & the lady took him to the whole shelf full of the design products!!!!! Needless to say we were ecstatic because NONE of the other stores had her exact pattern!!!!

Parking, Very clean bathrooms, Accept Credit Cards, $, Euro

It's kind of on a corner But has a large blue sign with HENRY'S  on it so be sure not to miss this gem!!!! They also give discounts the more you buy 
DAVID MANUFAKTURA
ul. Masarska1
59- 700 Bolesławiec (right after Henry’s)
0048 (0)75 735 2141
Hours: Mo – Fr 9 am – 5 pm, Sat 8 am – 4 pm
Large selection of different patterns and shapes from Manufaktura factory. Here I found a ton of 2 and lower ratings on dishes, decor and more which meant cheaper rates & more in my shopping cart!!! hehe  Remember, not everything polish pottery has to be cooked in.  They have statues, planters, clocks, plates to hang and simply just nice pieces to decorate with
Parking, bathrooms, accept Credit Cards, $ and Euros 
 MANUFAKTURA Pottery 
ul. Gdańska 30, 59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 732 2062 int. 26,
fax. 0048 (0)75 732 6956,
www.polish-pottery.com.pl
info@polish-pottery.com.pl
Hours: Mo- Fr 7 am – 4 pm, Sat 7 am – 2 pm
*factory and a big shop
MANUFAKTURA is a large, modern pottery store with a nice variety of designs. Follow the circular sign with a pot in the center. At this pottery you can visit the factory and see how the pots are made (available 7 am- 2 pm, ticket 5zł/ 2,50zł). Here you can also take part in a ceramic workshop lessons (ask the staff for the details).  Most days they do have at least 1 english speaking employee, this past weekend when we went they did not.  They mainly stayed in the back & came to the register when we were ready to check out.  I love actually not being bothered so this worked out for me.  Another customer in the store was a bit less happy with the customer service.  So this is just a heads up that sometimes on slower days, especially when tour buses aren't coming in some employees may not speak english & cultures are different and are not trying to be rude.    
Great Parking, Accepts $, Euro, Credit Cards

The hubby getting his shopping on!!!




CERAMIKA ARTYSTYCZNA
Artistic Ceramic
ul. Kościuszki 23
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 732 4051
Store 732 33 00
fax. 0048 (0)75 732 4053
www.ceramika-artystyczna.pl
poczta@ceramika-artystyczna.pl
Hours: Mo- Fr 9 am – 5 pm , Sat 8 am – 2 pm
One of the oldest pottery stores.  Most employees & artists have been with the company since 1964.  One Sat (10 am- 2 pm) in a month they have meetings with their designers when you can learn to paint pots (for more informations- click their web site). They also lead tours around the factory (for free, even for a single customer). At the store you can also buy albums and books on the Pottery and cooking books.
Great Parking, Accept $, Euro and Credit Cards
*This is also one of the stores that has products in the KMCC mall.  
Factory to the left small store to the right
CER-FAR 
ul. Kościuszki 17
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 644 32 81
mobile 0048 607 090 625
Hours: Mo- Fr – 8 am-6 pm; Sat – 8 am- 3 pm
Nice Variety of polish pottery patterns, big store and always seems to be offering nice discounts. This weekend I walked to the back room and found a whole area 50% off

 Parking, bathrooms, $, Euro & CC accepted

Zakłady Ceramiczne BOLESŁAWIEC**My 3rd favorite store***
ul. Kościuszki 11
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 732 2736
Hours: Mo- Fr 7 am – 6 pm , Sat 7 am – 3 pm
SUN 9 am- 4 pm
Big pottery with a rich selection of ceramics. You can often find bargains on the lower shelves.
They offer tours arround the factory.  Just let them know 1 week in advance for 4yrs old and up
You can order your pottry ONLINE, and for an additional fee they can mail  it to EU countries, or ship it to US and Canada
Parking, Accept $, Euro & Credit Cards, have bathrooms

 Store by Artistic Ceramic WIZA 
ul. Kościuszki 24
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 075 732 6975
Hours: Mo- Fr 9 am – 5pm , Sat 8 am – 3 pm
This shop is stocked by WIZA pottery.  They have a nice selection of jewelry and you can choose pieces and rope to make your own jewelry. 
parking, bathrooms, credit cards, euro and $ accepted
GERO
ul. Kościuszki 24
59- 700 Bolesławiec
tel. 0048 (0)75 644 5889
Mo, Fr- 8 am- 6 pm
Weds, Tues, Thu – 8 am- 5 pm; Sat 7 am – 4 pm
Big store with a large choice of pottery from several different factories. Can also find wicker baskets, some porcelain and glassware.
Bathrooms, some parking, accept $, Euro and Credit Cards
A.MAZUR
Ul. Kościuszki 24, 59- 700 Bolesławiec,
Tel. 0048 (0)75 644 9886 Mo- Fr 8 am- 6 pm
Sat 7 am- 5 pm
At this shop they 30-40% discounts even for purchasing a single item....Who doesn't love a discount!
Parking, Credit Cards, $ and Euros accepted 

 TYRCZ 
Ul. Kościuszki 24 B
59- 700 Bolesławiec
Mobile phone: 0048 (0) 602 690 125
Hours: Mo- Sat 8 am- 5 pm; Sun 10 am- 4 pm
Ceramics from a small factory run by Mr. Tyrcz. At the store by a special order you can leave a photo of youself and they will draw a portraite. It takes approx. 3 weeks.
Parking, Credit Cards, Euro
WR Ceramika 
Tomaszów Bolesławiecki 99
59- 720 Raciborowice
tel./fax. 0048 (0)75 738 9461, Mo- Fr 6 am-2 pm , Sat 6 am -2 pm
This pottery has nice flower and christmas patterns. Its a small shop but had a whole back corner full of discounted items for 10%-30% off.  Its on the same road as ANDY'S

Lots of parking, accepts $,Euro, Credit Cards
Having fun @ the Pottery Palm Tree 


Our fabulous finds!!!!

The large bowl in the back is part of their new line of Polish Pottery SINKS!!!!  This one was a STEAL for 40.00Euros.  This will be going in our new home in Petersburg, Virginia 

I just adore the dog items & deviled egg tray that we found

Thanks so much for following my blog!  Stay tuned this  week we are taking Italy by storm!!!!





Beverly 

17 comments:

  1. Truly AWESOME post, and I have to thank you...as a fellow blogger knowing how much research and time goes into a post! I will definitely be sharing in my weekly round up!

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    1. @LLMilitaryWife Thank you so much for your kind words. We have had such a blast visiting Poland throughout the years & especially with us moving back to the states I wanted to make sure I shared as many tips, tricks & addresses with everyone :o) I'm absolutely honored that you enjoyed this post so much that you want to share in your weekly round up. May you have an amazing week and Happy Blogging!!!!

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  2. Hi Beverly,

    I found your blog on one of the Ramstein group pages.

    I had a couple of quick questions regarding your PP sink purchase. I read in your blog that you were able to pick up yours for 40 Euros. Did you buy this at Zaklady? Where there other patterns available? If so, were the other patterns more expensive?

    Thanks for your help! I look forward to reading more of your blog :)

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    1. Hi :o)Yes, ZackLady is where we found the PP sink. They had 2 other designs besides the one we purchased. One was pink flowers and the other was the blue flowers if I remember correctly. The lady working their said it was a new item & more designs were to come. The most expensive sink we saw was 460ZL but it was 2x the size of our sink bowl. I actually was trying to decide between the 40euro sink & a 60euro sink that was just a bit wider & same depth, but the bathroom we are adding this too is small, so we went with our 40euro gem. I am so glad you are enjoying ready my blog! Hope you have an amazing time in Poland!!!
      Beverly

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  4. I absolutely love Polish potteries! They're so beautiful and eye-catching! Each individual piece is a gem!

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  5. Beautiful pieces! I just discovered Polish Pottery and I think it is beautiful! I really enjoy all the pictures on your blog.

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  6. Wow I love this. Do you know where I can buy polish pottery online for my wife? I think she would love it.

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  7. I like your collection very much :-), these all are very adorable in look.


    Unikat Polish Pottery

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  8. Hi, I love your photos and your stories! I didn't make it to Boleslawiec this time I visited Europe, but I have found a store with free shipping at www.slavicapottery.com in Prague, they have reasonable prices probably because they are so close to Poland... And actually I found your blog while I was looking for "the best" producer of Polish pottery and it helped a lot, thank you so much!!

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  9. Wow,thank you for all the Information on the polish pottery!! I love it!! I'm all excited to go there. Do you usually go there on your own? Or in a Group? Many regards from Bamberg Susanne

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  10. did you guys stay within the area? If so, what is your hotel recommendation?

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  11. Your blog is great. My husband and I have just arrived here in pottery city! I got the addresses and recommendations that you posted. I feel prepared tomorrow am to go hunting! Thanks so much. We are a retired US Marine couple. We are staying at the Ambasssador Hotel, which is lovely.

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  12. Thank you so much for taking the time for such thorough research. Planning our first driving trip there and getting all of the addresses and store info from you has saved us a ton of leg work. Only have one full day for shopping, arriving on first day of the festival and leaving on the third day. Looking forward to shopping and I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard work.

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  13. Thanks for your reviews. I am a tour director from the USA Lancaster, Pa. I am bringing 86 people to Poland and I would like to include a large pottery factory where the people can also watch them painting. They will want to buy alot and send it home. We have store owners with us. What place do you recomend

    We are going to be in Poland from Sept 11 until Sept 20.......is there a pottery festival?

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  14. Thank you so much for your post. These addresses are going to help me so much this weekend. You are awesome.

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  15. I am so glad that this post has helped so many. Happy Travels

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