This site is to celebrate the artistry of Verdera LaFey Shattel. She was my Great Aunt on my father's side, born Verdera LaFey Woodworth, and best known by our family as "LaFey" or "Auntie." Ultimately, I also would like to research the whereabouts of any other surviving pieces she created.
Auntie had two homes while I was growing up, one in Rosemead, California; and one in Madeline, California. As far as I know, her ceramic art work was always produced in Rosemead. Auntie passed in 1979 in Madeline. As a child, I remember her huge kiln in the ancient barn behind her house and shelves full of various ceramic molds. She created, painted and fired all of the pieces herself by hand, with the exception of some fine china teacups. We have no idea the amount of pieces she created over the years, but my impression is that her operation was set up for good-sized production. Where did all of these pieces end up? Did she sell them? Give them away?
I currently only have a dozen or so pieces in my possession, but my family has a large number of pieces, including complete sets. These include vases, plates, figurines, cups & saucers, bowls of various sizes, salt & pepper shakers, etc.
I seem to have always had her artwork around me: hand-crafted Christmas stockings, flower pots, tea cups and saucers and other dishes. After her death, our family also acquired some of her furnishings. My favorite--since a child--is a large, solid oak pump organ which now occupies quite a bit of space in our living room.
Apologies in advance for the poor photography and color correction below. I willl update these when I get to cataloging the pieces our family has. I also have a number of slide trays full of images from a couple of personal trips to Madeline in the 70's. We may have 8mm home movies somewhere as well.
She signed her work somewhere on most of the pieces. We love hunting for the signatures; sometimes in the artwork, on the bottom or under a lid.
There also seemed to be an 'A' series and an 'E' series, but we don't know what the difference is.
While growing up, I always looked forward to a vacation trip to Madeline--sometimes during Summer vacation, and sometimes during Winter break. At the time, LaFey was still living in the stinky old log cabin.
Sometime later in the 70's she moved into a mobile home which she had moved onto the property.
