Pots and birdbaths and vases, oh my!

Among many items being displayed at the 40th annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the various displays of pottery made by Diane Troxell will be back.

Troxell, 51, from Oxford, New York, said she has been doing pottery for 30 years and has been in and out of the Arts Festival for 15 years.

"It's a wonderful show to do," she said. "Besides the clientele that keep coming back to me, the people who run the show are great."

Troxell said she and her husband make many pots with vegetables on them, which is rare, she said.

"Even in State College, you won't find anyone who puts veggies on them," she said. "In State College, I have people who are looking to add to their collection of veggie pots," she said.

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to create a pot, she said, explaining that you have to create the pot, fire it, glaze it, decorate it and then fire it again.

She said she gathers ingredients to make the clay herself. Many potters don't do that.

Troxell said she learned everything about pottery from her husband.

"He was a bus driver, then I became a bus driver, then I met him and he taught me everything I know," she said.

She said they make vibrantly decorated pots, birdbaths, vases and fountains.

She said the price ranges from $10 to $300 depending on the piece itself. She said the fountains and birdbaths are the most expensive, but she also makes an apple baker for $10.

Troxell said one of her most memorable sales from the Arts Festival was a birdbath.

"I sold a birdbath there once which is difficult to make," she said. "That was pretty exciting when I sold it there."

Troxell said she and her husband will be selling their work everyday for the Arts Festival, and they will be located on Allen Street at booth location A30.