Photo Karen Graham.
Janette Froncz at her Market Stall where she offers beautiful, hand-crafted pottery.
Janette Froncz is a new vendor at the Millbrook Farmers’ market, offering hand-made pottery. Known for her elegance and grace from her years as a dancer, choreographer and creative movement teacher, it’s no surprise to see Janette’s items are stylish and well-crafted while being practical as well.
Five years ago Janette decided to explore her interest in pottery at Fleming’s Haliburton School of Art and Design. She graduated from the Ceramics program and continued on to complete the Sculpture program.
Her hand-crafted items have style of course, but their appeal is also tactile- these creations have weight. They feel good in the hand, with balance and heft complimenting their uses. Fingers effortlessly slip into the grooves of stemless drinking glasses fit. Coffee mugs have generous rims and handles, and soup bowls invite cold hands
Integrating her love of yoga into her ceramic productions led Janette to the creation of one of her more popular pieces, a trendy item called a Buddha bowl. The legend explains that Buddha would carry his bowl around to be filled by offerings of local villagers of whatever food they could share and he was sustained by their donations. Available in different sizes, these practical pieces are suitable for comforting soups and stews or desserts like apple crisp. All pieces are food-friendly, dishwasher and oven-safe.
Janette creates her pieces on a wheel in at her Millbrook home and fires them at the Kawartha Potters’ Guild in Peterborough, where she is now an instructor. This fall she developed a new course incorporating her love of yoga with ceramics. In her class called Centering: Yoga, Meditation and Pottery, she leads students in the clay turning creative process while focussing their minds through meditation and simple yoga stretches. The result is a combination of relaxation and creative expression resulting in blissful Friday afternoons. Check out Janette’s original pieces and discover how well-made dishes enhance the dining experience. KG
