The rich heritage of Bolesławiec pottery, commonly referred to as Polish pottery, dates back approximately 7,000 years in the Silesia region of western Poland. By the 14th century, the city of Bolesławiec had established a reputation for exceptional stoneware and pottery, with historical records documenting the presence of potters as early as 1380. Despite the upheaval of wars and challenges, local artisans preserved their craft, eventually developing the distinctive white and blue designs of the pottery which include a signature peacock-feather pattern, a favorite among royalty in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today, the remarkable tradition of Polish pottery thrives in Bolesławiec, but also stretches overseas to central Illinois, because of the inspiration of Ruthanne Burgard, owner of Out of the Blue Polish Pottery in Monticello. Bill Haworth helps run the store for Ruthanne, and as he spoke with us, it became clear that he is essentially a curator for this craft, bringing Polish pottery to life for his customers in Monticello and beyond.

“What’s special about this pottery is that it’s hand-painted. So, it’s very artistic and considered like artwork. It’s also very durable and very usable. It’s, pottery that can be used in a microwave and you can bake with it,” said Bill. “All of the pottery is also pretty much considered heirloom pieces and can easily be passed down from generation to generation.”

Inspiration: A long way from home

The story of this unique store begins with its owner and the travels of Ruthanne Burgard and her family across Europe. Bill explained that Ruthanne discovered Polish pottery while living in Hamburg, Germany, and that her first purchase was a piece of bakeware during a trip to Poland. She was pleasantly surprised about the durability of the pottery and the ease of cleaning it, according to Bill, and so began her fascination with Polish pottery. When Ruthanne and her family returned to their hometown of Monticello, she couldn’t shake the idea of sharing the beauty of Polish pottery with her community.

“She mentioned to her husband one night that she would love to have a store here in town selling Polish pottery,” Bill recalled. “And her husband said, ‘Go for it,’ and they did.”

Out of the Blue Polish Pottery and Gifts opened its doors in 2006. It seems the timing and location worked perfectly.

“Monticello is a kind of a nice destination town for people who want to spend the day shopping, eating,” explained Bill. “This is kind of a perfect spot to have a store like this, because it just fits in very well with all of the different kinds of stores that they have here.”

What started as a single store in Monticello has since grown into a thriving business. Ruthanne now has a second store in Carmel, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indianapolis.

“That store (Carmel) just expanded to a bigger place recently,” Bill added, highlighting the growing demand for Polish pottery in the Midwest.

Bill’s own journey to Out of the Blue is also a story of adventure and entrepreneurship. Before joining the team, Bill already had extensive experience in retail and travel.

“Before I started at Out of the Blue, I had my own jewelry store in downtown Monticello and worked there for about 11 or 12 years,” noted Bill. “Actually, I was a flight attendant at the time I was doing that. I traveled the world. That’s how I got the jewelry I brought it back here and had a little jewelry store.”

Bill’s career as a flight attendant spanned 33 years. His travels took him to faraway destinations including Japan and China.

“I often sold jewelry that was a little ahead of its time,” Bill recalled with pride. “I enjoyed my customers. I enjoyed bringing back unique items and different things they hadn’t seen before.”

His store specialized in pearls ranging from freshwater varieties to high-end saltwater pearls sourced directly from factories in Japan.

“I was able to sell them at a really good price because I had gone straight to the factories and missed out on all the middlemen,” explained Bill.

After retiring his jewelry business, Bill found a new home at Out of the Blue.

“I work here like three or four days a week and just love it,” said Bill with a smile.

Bill believes his experience as a business owner gives him a unique perspective at Out of the Blue Polish Pottery and Gifts.

“You have to think about all kinds of things, including branding and marketing and how you want to present yourself as a business,” Bill reflected. “So, a lot of those things we think about here and do the same types of things. We think about how we want to welcome our customers and how we package things.”

Bill believes his background has made him a better employee.

“I think if you own your own business, then you understand what it involves to run a business,” said Bill. “I think that might help you be a better employee in a business because you want to carry through some of those things you’ve learned in your own business.”

Artistry and heart at Out of the Blue

When you browse the shelves of pottery inside Out of the Blue, visitors say they get the sense they’re in an elegant home decor store or a museum.
One pot, cup, or bowl is more beautiful than the next.

“All of the pieces are painted in a variety of different ways,” Bill shared about how the pottery is made by the artisans in Bolesławiec . “They use sponges, brushes, and all kinds of tools that any artist would use to paint.”

This meticulous process results in stunning, unique designs that capture the eye and the imagination. Polish pottery comes in two distinct styles.

“There’s traditional pottery, which features patterns designed by one artist but painted by many,” explained Bill. “Then there’s a higher grade called UNIKAT, which means ‘unique’ in Polish. These designs are much more intricate and artistic, and they’re only painted by a select few master artists.”

A UNIKAT piece is signed or stamped by the artist, making it a true signature work.

“Some of these artists have been painting Polish pottery for decades,” Bill added. “They’re quite famous in the Polish pottery realm.”

The variety of patterns and styles is part of what makes Polish pottery so special. Whether you are looking for vibrant florals or geometric designs, there is pottery created to suit every taste. The artisans in Bolesławiec also create pieces specifically for the U.S. market, according to Bill, including seasonal items that celebrate American holidays.

“They do a lot of seasonal things that fit our seasons,” said Bill. “Christmas decorations, plates, bakeware, and tree ornaments. They’re also big on Halloween, with pumpkins, gourds, and other festive items. For Easter, we have bunnies, eggs, and more.”

Beyond its beauty, Bill stressed that Polish pottery is incredibly functional and practical for everyday living.

“I use it personally because it’s so easy to use,” Bill said with satisfaction. “It’s durable, easy to clean, and dishwasher-safe. If you bake something with a lot of cheese, for example, you don’t have to scrub the pan. You just throw it in the dishwasher, and it comes out beautifully.”

For Bill, the joy of working at Out of the Blue comes from the customers.

“I like the retail experience here because of the wonderful customers we have,” said Bill. “I like dealing with people. If you give good service, you get rewards from your customers, who come back to see you all the time. Good service is 90% of retail.

“We don’t always have customers who can come to the store because of the distance,” added Bill. “Often, they’ll call us up and ask for something, and we’ll shop with them over the phone. We take orders through Facebook, text, and phone calls.”

The store itself is laid out to feel like a home.

“The owner (Ruthanne) wanted the place to look like a home store,” Bill said. “She picked the furniture and decor. There are antique tables, hutches, oak dinner tables, and wood tables. These are all ways you might display or use the pottery in your own home.”

While the retail experience is rewarding, it is not without its challenges according to Bill.

“The fun part is dealing with the customers,” Bill said with a smile. “One of the nice things about our customers is they’re all happy. They come here for something specific, and they enjoy the product we have. Some of the not-so-fun things are sweeping the sidewalks, shoveling snow, taking out the trash, cleaning the bathrooms, and dusting the pottery all the time.”

But for Bill, the most rewarding part is knowing the pottery helps create lasting memories for his customers.

“It’s a neat feeling when you think about how the pottery is used,” Bill reflected. “You’ve helped decorate somebody’s Thanksgiving table or Christmas table, and you’re helping make memories for their family. When the kids grow up, they’ll say, ‘I remember Grandma and Grandpa’s special dishes they used for Christmas.’ That would be the Polish pottery.

“With Polish pottery, you don’t usually set a table where everything matches,” Bill explained. “It’s all different patterns. That’s kind of unique because, in the U.S., we tend to want all our dishes to match. So, when someone comes to Grandma and Grandpa’s house and the dishes don’t match, that’s something they remember. You’re helping make memories, and that makes me feel wonderful.”