Beautiful Shamrocks

(Before I get into today's post I'd like to first take a moment to recognize a devastating earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan ... our thoughts and prayers go out to the people dealing with this tragedy. May they have strength, courage, and calm and look to God to be with them as help comes in. My heart goes out to them.)

Irish Belleek. Recognizable by its beautiful lustre and delicate quality.

And the shamrocks kind of help. Here is a little information and history about Belleek porcelain.

Pottery in the region began around 1849, after John Caldwell Bloomfield inherited his father's estate. Seeking to provide employment for his tenants, who had been affected by the Irish potato famine and, being an amateur mineralogist, he ordered a geological survey of his land. On finding that the area was rich in minerals, Bloomfield went into partnership with London architect Robert Williams Armstrong and Dublin merchant David McBirney. In setting up a pottery business, Bloomfield managed to get a railway line built to Belleek so that coal could be delivered with which to fire kilns.

Building started on the pottery in 1858. Initially starting with domestic products, it wasn't until 1863 that small amounts of the Parian porcelain for which Belleek is famous for to this day, was successfully produced. By 1865, the prestige of the company had increased enough that its market included Ireland, England, the United States, Canada and Australia, and clients included the Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria and the nobility. (Information from Wikipedia)

And what's a little green without a little pink? Today I'm linking to Pink Saturday... because pink and green go so well together!

The Belleek vase above may be found in my shop ... and I've taken a discount off of it for you this weekend... enjoy! Also, for my Pink Saturday readers... 20% off of anything pink or green or a combination of both! (Just contact me and I'll set up the sale for you.)