Farewell Cardew Pottery Crazy Teapot Designs
As reported on Teapots Teapots Teapots one of Devon’s better tourist attractions the Cardew Pottery is closing.
The Cardew Pottery in Bovey Tracey closed its doors to visitors on 12th June and production of their specialty teapots has stopped.
Teapot classics such as the Petrol Pump, Betty Boop, the extensive range of Disney characters and the inspirational British food range including Coleman’s Mustard and the Marmite Teapot could now become highly collectible items and begin to fetch eye watering sums at auction.
Owner Paul Cardew reports on his website “Whilst it’s very emotional here, as we clear things out and sort through the back catalogue, the plans for the future are really exciting. We are not yet in a position to announce the next phase of the adventure but keep checking back to this website, where we soon hope to be able to let you know the way forward”
“not yet in a position to announce the next phase” could be interpreted “cannot be arsed since we’ve made a fortune by selling the land for housing”
Residents of Bovey Tracey have wondered for some time where the proposed new housing development will be and there is an increasing feeling of resentment that the Cardew Pottery which sits in 10 Acres of what was once beautiful woodland with ponds is prime suspect.
Cardew was enjoyed by both tourists and locals alike – how many other tourist “attractions” can genuinely make claim to that? The pottery painting studio was well equipped and good value when compared to ventures such as China Blue in “we saw you coming” Totnes.
Alas no more the “Sunday Lunch Specials – Served Daily” and what we wonder will become of the Cardew Cat (Chairman Meow) that would sleep around the shop and studio always accommodate a little fuss – come on Paul – think of the Puss Cat!
Its a shame to see another find craftsman have to close their doors. The world needs more potters that take care in their product like Paul Cardew. Good luck in the future Paul
Such a shame that Cardew has closed it’s doors for the last time. My two young daughters have always enjoyed a couple of hours in there, getting messy with clay and paint whilst on holiday. Please don’t let the marble factory go the same way.
The Coleman’s Mustard, Lyle’s Golden Syrup and Marmite Teapot in your photograph were not designed or made by Paul they were made at the Teapottery in Leyburn Wensleydale.
It is a shame that the pottery must close his doors. Nowadays i see a lot of old little shops go down by the automatisation and developing of bigger commercial shops. The internet and modernization are also two reasons that shops like these can not compete. I hope sincerly that they have made enough money so they can modernize their store to nowadays demands.
Its a shame to see another find craftsman have to close their doors.
I agree that it’s a sad day when stores like these have to close. Hopefully they can venture forward and stay in a field that they obviously enjoy.
Absolutely right – Cardew has systematically destroyed what was once beautiful amenity woodland over a 10 year plus period, my house is behind this land. What is worrying is that it means that anyone can buy woodland and do the same, thus earning themselves a tidy sum of money by turning woodland into development land. Incidentally, the cat’s name is Mr Tibbs, he belongs to my Mum and Dad!
Yes, Cardew has destroyed what was once beautiful amenity woodland, used and enjoyed by the people of Bovey Tracey for several years before he turned up, he was not a great addition to the town unlike the owners of the House of Marbles. Incidentally, the cat there belonged to my parents, he is fit and well and called Mr Tibbs!
It is a bloody tragedy that they are closing there doors, my mother gave me one of the Betty Boop set when I was a young lassie.. I will hold on to it forever !
Its very rare to find good craftsmans nowadays. Everything is made in china! Its a shame to see another find craftsman have to close their doors for something better. We need more potters around.
Regards,
Jason
Teapots, in america we don’t drink tea, so I guess this blog wouldn’t matter to me that much. The pots are cool looking though and that picture with the cat in the corner is kind of creepy.
I would love a Betty Boop teapot. Too bad they closed their doors
These pictures and paintings really represent what it was like inside the Cardew Pottery. So many fun experiences!! Thanks for all the fun memories!!
Betty Boop collectables are indeed widespread, but come to think about it, everything with success from television is mass produced as merchandise now a days. From movies to sports figures etc.
I have collected Cardew teapots for 20 years and have a large collection, I am so sad to see them go, I have bought a teapot to remember happy times and deaths so for me they have emotional significance and to be honest are the best novelty teapots around. sad to see you go from a true teapot fan, sad I know.
Its a shame to see another find craftsman have to close their doors. The world needs more potters that take care in their product like Paul Cardew. Good luck in the future Paul
Not a bad way to earn a living, making teapots that can’t be used as such.
I see also that Paul claims to have been the Head of Ceramics at Exeter. I know he ran some adult education classes but always thought that Brian Southwell was Head of Dept at the Art College at that time.Leastways that’s who I worked with.
I was indeed the Head of Ceramics at Exeter College of Art and Design !
Mr.Cardew taught adult education Pottery classes at the old buildings in Gandy Street.
This was after the College had moved to new building off the Topsham Road.
So what do we have here?
On his about me page Paul clearly says:
Was he or wasn’t he – we need to know.
In 1972 I joined the Ceramics Dept at Exeter College of Art as a Technician. Brian Southwell was the Principal Lecturer and Lawson Rudge was Senior Lecturer. In 1973 we moved from Gandy St to Earl Richards Rd to establish a new department within the new building. The old establishment was used for adult education classes and it was here that Mr Cardew was employed. Whether this has led to some confusion as to the role he played I cannot comment but he was definately not employed as Head of Ceramics at Exeter College of Art.
Clearly, either Brian Southwell and myself are lying about our positions or Paul Cardew is fantasising about his. I leave it up to you, dear reader, to decide.
I received an Alice in Wonderland Teapot as a gift from friends visiting from New Zealand and was thrilled, that is, until I used it. Tea poured out from the lid and the spout barely came out in a dribble whether the pot was half full or completely full. It was a disappointment and it will have to be relegated to an ornament rather than for general use, which is a shame as I imagine it was quite expensive to purchase.