Lemongrass Update

Our sources tell us that the initial run of Lemongrass will include the following items: 4pc & 5pc place settings, dinner plate, salad plate, soup/cereal bowl, cereal bowl, mug, fruit dish, luncheon plate, mini disc pitcher, large disc pitcher, salt & pepper (small), java mug, large oval platter, gusto bowl, serving bowl, individual oval platter, companion set and ramekin. The balance of the Lemongrass items are scheduled for release in the fall. The initial pieces will be shipping on approximately July 1, 2009.

Marigold

In anticipation of the 75th Anniversary of Fiesta® Dinnerware in 2011, last year Homer Laughlin unveiled the first of three collections --the baking bowl set -- in a limited anniversary year color, Marigold.

The baking bowl set is available in Marigold, as well as seven of Fiesta's standard contemporary colors: Scarlet, Cobalt, Tangerine, Sunflower, Peacock, Shamrock, White and Evergreen.

Availability of the baking bowl set in the anniversary color is limited to 75 weeks -April 1, 2008 thru Sept. 1, 2009. On September 2, 2009, the baking bowls, in Marigold only, will officially retire.

The 3-piece baking bowls, ranging in size from 6-1/2 to 2-1/2 quarts. They created a new back-stamp celebrating the 75th anniversary and has modified retail packaging to acknowledge the company's landmark year and limited availability collections. The bottoms of the baking bowls in the remaining glazes feature the signature Fiesta stamp or embossment.

Dinnerware and accessories in Marigold will follow, to be introduced April 1, 2009 and April 1, 2010, and 75 weeks later, each will officially retire and will no longer be in production.

New Fiesta Color

Yesterday, March 22, 2009, it was announced at the 2009 International Housewares Show that the new Fiesta color is Lemon Grass. It is supposed to be a more yellow shade of Chartreuse and should be available in the Summer of 2009.

Fiesta and Harlequin Are My Purpose

Okay, I started this blog to focus on my dishing passion. I am certain I will throw in other topics from time to time, but I do want to try and channel my thoughts to Fiesta. I want this blog to share the knowledge I have gained over the years about my beloved dishes.

Remember, as you read my blog, the statements that are made are just my opinion and those opinions could be right or wrong. If I make any incorrect statements, let me know and I will post a correction.

One of the first thing I learned about Fiesta was that they discontinued items and colors and also retired items and colors. I didn't understand the difference. This is what I discovered:

Difference Between Retired and Discontinued.

We all hear about the various colors that are being retired or discontinued. For example, sapphire, lilac, juniper and chartreuse have been retired, whereas, apricot, yellow, pearl gray, sea mist, rose, periwinkle, persimmon and now heather have been discontinued. If you are to believe HLC, the difference is that the retired colors will never be produced again, they were limited exclusive runs, whereas the discontinued colors may, at HLC’s option be produced again at some point in the future, should they find that those colors are once again popular.

Discontinued colors are “discontinued” because their sales are low (they will pick the lowest sales percentage color for discontinuation). Make sure you understand the terminology because if you are a collector and stock up on a “discontinued” color thinking it will only increase in value, be very careful, because by the time that color actually has been discontinued long enough to become a collectible, HLC will probably begin producing it again and the value of that color will go down. Sellers are very free with their use of the terminology “retired”, when, in fact, the color has not been retired, it has merely been discontinued.

It appears to be a bit simpler as it relates to items that are discontinued (I have yet to hear of an items that has been retired). When a piece is not popular or is difficult to product, the product will be discontinued. I guess it is always possible that a piece might be made again, but chances are good that it will not. Goblets are good example. They were a very difficult product to make and to glaze and obtain a high quality product. . .too many in the seconds room or in the graveyard. They were a popular piece, but I doubt they will ever be made again.

First Post 3/20/2009

I have just set up this blog and am learning how it all works, so if you see mistakes, bear with me. It just seemed appropriate to post my first entry on the First Day of Spring 2009. Spring in the desert southwest is such a beautiful time - with the blooming of all of the regular flowers you see everywhere, like daffodils, pansies, tulips and the like, but also the cactus. There is nothing more beauiful than a cactus in bloom.

The birds are all busy finding the perfect spot to build their nest, unfortunately, a couple of swallows want to build their nest in a spot above our front door. It might be the same ones who built a nest there last year (when we didn't own the house and it was vacant). Mike has done everything he can to thwart their efforts because not only are their housebuilding endeavors messy, you can imagine what it is like when they step outside their home to use the restroom. . .right on our front porch. Plus, last year the babies kept falling out of their nest and everytime we came to inspect the home (we spent over 4 months in negotiation with the bank), we had to put baby birds back in the nest (it was their home, not ours. . .yet).

My next blog will be more on topic, but I do need experiment with my new adventure

Laurie