To start off, I’d just like to thank Grace for giving me this opportunity to share a small taste of what inspires me about living in New England. Never having blogged before, I am honored to give it my first try here on Design*Sponge! As a newcomer to Massachusetts and specifically my new home town of West Newbury, I have been delighted by the beauty of the North shore area. I am really excited about sharing some of my favorite people and places! Thanks Grace!!!

Barbara Haack
Barberry Hill Pottery

My dear neighbor Barbara Haack was kind enough to have me visit her studio this afternoon. She was in the middle of Glazing and firing her pottery for a show in Essex, MA. She has lived here in West Newbury with her husband for 45 years. They rebuilt the barn behind their home for use as a pottery studio where she works and shows in an attached gallery. I usually visit her at her annual November holiday sale so it was a treat to visit in lushness of springtime. The rustic feel and beauty of her space is truly inspiring!

Barbara was working on glazing when I arrived. Isn’t her apron fabulous?!

She mixes all her own glazes and uses wooden tools, shells and pine cones to create textures in her work.

These cones are so beautiful, they help to measure the firing time in the kiln.

Barbara’s gallery is open throughout the summer and she has a holiday sale once a year in the beginning of November. I love buying her beautiful pieces for holiday gifts!

If you’re in the area in June, Barbara is participating in the Greenbelt’s Art in the Barn in Essex County, MA. The show runs Jun 13-15th at The Cox Reservation. For more information go to their website.

More photos of Barbara and her home/studio are right here…