I LOVE TALAVERA POTTERY!  I’ve been collecting this style of pottery for years and I have a story about pretty much every piece I have ever purchased…but this is the story of my first Talavera pottery purchase.  It is a rather large vase that sits on the stairs of my foyer.  My kids call it the “Hey Lady” vase and this is “her” story.

My “Hey Lady” Talavera Pottery Vase from TJ Maxx.

One day many years ago, I went to our local TJ Maxx armed with a $50 gift card and determined to find some sort of treasure.  After browsing the home section for a little while, there it was – tucked away in a corner, just waiting for me to find it.  I couldn’t believe my eyes!  It was as though light from the heavens began shining down on this beautiful vase, lighting the way for me.  This vase knew it would soon be making it’s home in MY home!  I approached it, turned it around and admired the beautiful colors and then thought to myself – this is a BIG vase!  Should I grab a buggy and come back?  Would I drop it on the way to the register?  Would someone else grab it while I went to grab a buggy?  Do I take that chance?  You know how it goes…the moment you show interest in something at a store, suddenly everyone around you wants what you have!  And of course, this is exactly what happened.  I noticed people around me watching, just waiting for me to walk away so they could scoop my vase up.  So right then and there, I picked up this huge vase, cradled it in my arms like a baby and started walking carefully through the store to the registers.

Along the way, no less than 3 people stopped me and asked “Hey, where’d you get that vase?”  Me – “Back in the home goods section, but I don’t think they have anymore.”  (I know, I checked!)  I finally got through the checkout line and was heading to my car, still amazed at all the attention this Talavera vase was getting, when I heard a woman yelling – “Hey Lady!”  I kept walking.  Again she yelled, “Hey Lady!” – louder this time.  I slowed down a bit, not sure…  Once again, “Lady!  Hey Lady!”  I stopped and turned, realizing this woman was yelling at ME!  So I said, “yes?”  Yelling woman – “Hey! Where’d you get that vase?”  I told her “TJ Maxx” and she RAN back into TJ Maxx as I added, “but they don’t have anymore!”

By now I was laughing pretty hard, as I got into my car to head home and find the perfect spot for my much coveted vase.  I couldn’t wait to share the story with my family and after much more laughter, the legend of the Hey Lady vase was born!