Happenings at Jane Bess Pottery in Edgefield have taken a different twist recently.

Her handmade pottery sea life ornaments have been discovered by the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston and orders for them have really taken off. The sea turtles are the most popular, she said, although she makes crabs, star fish and sea horses also. 

In addition, representatives of the Heron Park Nature Center at Kiawah Island went on a field trip to the Aquarium and they called and placed an order of one dozen each of all the sea life ornaments.

“I’ve been doing the sea life ornaments for some time,” she said. “These ornaments for the house or Christmas tree are popular year round.”

She said she got the idea for them after several people told her about the sea turtle rescue programs. Having grown up in the Charleston area, her love of the ocean is evident throughout her shop.

“I don’t know how the buyer at the aquarium heard about them,” she said. “I sent a picture of the sea turtles to the rescue coordinator and that may be the way they found out. They just called me out of the blue to place an order for the gift shop there. I’ve recently received the third purchase order from them.”

Bess said customers from all over have picked up on the items since December.

“They kind of caught on locally when I first started making them about two and a half years ago,” she said. “Anything coastal is popular here.”

The turtles retail at $6 each.

“They’re very affordable and make a good keepsake item,” she said. “Of course, they’re signed and dated.”

Everything in Bess’ shop is functional, she said. Everything from her line of dinnerware items – including plates, cups, saucers, bowls, wine glasses and platters – to the different types of ornaments and many other items. Her Palmetto items are very popular.

Her newest ideas include berry bowls and brie bakers. But she’s really into the sea life idea also. Her

future plans include sea turtle plates and serving pieces.

“I have good community support and many out-of-town and out-of-state customers,” she said. “I’ve even had a few international customers. I received an order from Sweden in the fall.”

In regard to the newest developments, she said she feels very proud and honored.

“I think the Aquarium and Island are very prestigious locations and feel it’s quite an accomplishment.”