Working as a Potter

Chapter 16

Goldie tried to open the door to the Gallery Connection, which was almost impossible, considering the large box she held in her hands.

         Mrs. Langford opened it from the inside. “Let me help you, Goldie.”

         “Thanks.” Goldie nodded to the owner of the Gallery Connection. Mrs. Langford looked like a sweet little grandma with her soft white hair piled up in a Gibson girl bun on top of her head.

Goldie walked back to her booth. “I made up a new pattern.” Opening the box, she pulled out a plate, covered in brown paper. A warm feeling filled her heart as she unwrapped it and admired the shiny pink roses and green leaves. She had spent hours hand-painting her design. “I’m hoping women will like it.”

         Taking the plate, Mrs. Langford brushed her fingers over the shiny surface. “This is beautiful, Goldie. You’re so creative!”

         Noreen Trennen, one of the other potters, walked up and looked over Mrs. Langford’s shoulder. “Such a pretty feminine pattern.”

         Carl, Noreen’s husband, nodded. “Very nice.”

         “Thanks.” Goldie smiled at the couple before reaching into her box. She carefully unwrapped each piece and arranged her pottery on the shelves of her booth.

         Noreen and Carl stood behind her, watching. The Trennens spent a lot of time at the Gallery Connection. Carl was retired, and he seemed to have nothing to do. Sometimes the couple disappeared for a week while Noreen worked on her pottery at home. Then she’d set the new merchandise out in her booth, and they both would hover in the store all day, every day.

         Noreen picked up the teapot. “I wish I was as talented as you.”

         “What a pretty piece!” Mrs. Langford smiled.

         Goldie gave a happy sigh. She loved that teapot. If it didn’t sell, she would take it home and use it.

         “Did you hear the news?” Mrs. Langford’s brown eyes jumped between Goldie, Noreen, and Carl. “A buyer from New York City will be here in a couple weeks. A woman this time. Her name is Ashley Wakefield, and she’s looking for a new line of pottery for Saks Fifth Avenue.”

         Goldie’s mouth dropped open. “Saks? Really?”

         “Wow!” Noreen laughed. “I’d better get busy on a new design.”

         Goldie touched her teapot. “I think I’ll have her look at this line. Since the buyer is a woman, she’ll know what appeals to other women.”

         “That’s true.” Noreen looked thoughtful. “I’ve been thinking of doing something with butterflies.” She walked the few feet to her booth and picked up a cup, painted gray. “This might be too masculine.”

         “A lighter color would be better.” Goldie didn’t want to hurt Noreen’s feelings, but all her pottery was dark and drab. Sometimes Noreen didn’t sell one piece of pottery in an entire month. Then she would take her pieces home, only to replace them with a new line—equally dark and drab.

         With a shake of her head, Goldie looked back at her booth. Hopefully Ashley Wakefield would like this line of pretty roses. Maybe someday it would be displayed in Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City.

         Her dream of being an established, well-known potter might soon come true!

          

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Until tomorrow, may the Lord bless you with a good day!