The annual sale at Pyromania Pottery in Coombs is more than just about clearing out excess stock. It also offers some not-so perfect pots, also known as seconds, to find a loving home.
According to Algis Bubnys, one of the potters and co-founders of the store, “seconds” is a term used to describe a piece of pottery with a cosmetic or design defect like cracks or a teapot spout that won’t pour properly.
“I’ve been at it a lot of years, but you make mistakes regardless,” he said.
However, these pots aren’t necessarily useless just because they’re not perfect. “They’re good seconds,” said Bubnys, explaining that the pieces won’t leak through their cracks and some pieces just have to be used a certain way to overcome design flaws.
The seconds are saved up over the year and sold at this once-a-year event.
The five potters at Pyromania Pottery will also be selling work that has been around too long.
“Many, we say, are just ‘teenagers’ and we need their room,” said Jane Murray-Smith, another of the artists.
Bubnys also said that this could be your last chance to see if one of those lonely pots is the right match for you as the potters eventually take a hammer to them after around five years.
Pyromania Pottery was located behind the Coombs Market for twenty years, but last fall it moved across the bridge to it’s new location behind Coastal Carvings. The sale runs until the end of February.