This Maine Pottery Studio Is Holding A Three-Day Sale With Discounted Seconds And Unexpected Finds

A tiny glaze drip can turn a handmade mug into a bargain, and that is part of the fun at this central Maine pottery studio. During its three-day sale, shelves fill with handcrafted pieces while shoppers hunt for discounted finds that may have only the smallest imperfections.

Many of the seconds still look nearly flawless, so spotting what earned the markdown can feel like a little game. Better yet, visitors can see where the pottery takes shape, with the working studio just steps away from the showroom.

The sale brings an extra reason to browse slowly, especially when an unexpected bowl or mug catches your eye. Leave a little room in the car, because walking out with just one piece may be harder than planned.

A Roadside Studio Worth The Detour

Route 202 is the kind of road that rewards drivers who take their time. Running between Bangor and Augusta, it winds through small towns, farm fields, and patches of woods that feel like classic central Maine.

Right along this route sits Unity Pond Pottery, located at 222 Bangor Rd in Unity, Maine, in the United States. The studio shares its name with Unity Pond, a sizable lake near the town that is also known as Lake Winnecook.

Unity is a small community, so the shop is easy to spot as you roll through.

Getting there is simple if you are already exploring the state. Travelers heading south after a trip to Bar Harbor or Bangor can swap the highway for this slower road and turn a long drive into a relaxed shopping stop.

Travelers passing through Unity can also find it a convenient place to stop and browse.

Pull into the parking lot with some trunk space already cleared, because this is not a place where people usually leave empty-handed.

Three Days, Three Chances To Shop

Timing matters at a pottery sale, and this fall event gives shoppers three full days to browse. The sale runs September 25, 26, and 27, with special event hours of 9 AM to 5 PM each day during Common Ground Fair Weekend.

All pottery is marked 20% off during the event, and the 2nds Sale adds another chance to find handmade pieces at lower prices. Small imperfections can make those discounted finds especially interesting, so it pays to look closely before moving on.

Shopping is only part of the experience. Live pottery demonstrations are planned throughout the sale, along with hands-on activities for visitors who want to try something creative themselves.

Guests can also choose a piece during the Pick a Pot & Paint a Pot activity and give it their own personal touch.

With longer sale hours than the studio’s regular schedule, there is plenty of time to browse without rushing.

Seconds: Tiny Flaws, Big Savings

Ask any potter about seconds, and you will probably get a chuckle. In the pottery world, a second is a piece that came out of the kiln with a small imperfection.

That might be a glaze drip, a tiny pinhole, a slight color shift, or a base that sits just a hair off level.

These quirks rarely change how a piece works. A mug with a speckle near the handle still holds your morning cocoa, and a bowl with a slightly uneven rim still cradles soup just fine.

Since first-quality pieces are held to a high standard, the ones that miss the mark get marked down instead of tossed aside.

That is great news for shoppers. You get handmade pottery at a friendlier price, and the studio finds good homes for work that still has plenty to offer.

Seconds make excellent everyday dishes, garden planters, or starter pieces for a new collection.

A few smart habits help you choose well. Turn each piece over, run a finger around the rim, and hold it up to the light.

If you plan to bake with it, ask the staff whether the flaw affects oven use, because honest answers come standard here at no extra charge.

Butter Bells And Other Surprises

Ever heard of a butter bell? Plenty of first-time visitors have not, and then they cannot stop talking about it.

The clever crock keeps butter soft and spreadable on the counter by sealing it inside a lid that rests in a small pool of water.

Butter bells are just one of the unexpected finds that turn up on the shelves. The studio also makes brie bakers for warming cheese in the oven, dip dishes for chips and salsa, and vases that brighten a sunny windowsill.

Coffee mugs of many shapes stand next to soup mugs with sturdy handles, along with dinner plates and salad plates.

During a sale, some of these specialty items may land in the seconds pile. That makes it a lovely chance to try something new without a big spend.

Picking up a butter bell with a tiny glaze freckle is a low-risk way to learn whether soft butter on warm toast is life-changing, and spoiler, it probably is.

Gift shoppers should pay extra attention here. Unusual pieces like brie bakers and dip dishes make memorable presents for hosts, newlyweds, and anyone who already owns plenty of plain white plates.

Grab a few extras and tuck them away for birthdays down the road.

Two Floors Of Clay Treasures

One level of pottery would satisfy most shoppers. Here, the fun stacks up across two floors, so your browsing literally gets a second story.

Shelves on both levels hold a wide range of shapes and colors, which makes it easy to lose track of time. You might start with a single coffee mug in mind and end up building a whole matching set of plates, bowls, and soup mugs.

Every piece is made right on site, so what you see was shaped and glazed just steps away.

Color lovers are in for a treat. The studio offers many glaze choices, and dinner and salad plates can even be ordered in the colors you prefer.

That is a handy option if a sale piece catches your eye but you want a few more to complete the table.

A little strategy goes a long way on busy sale days. Do a quick lap of the showroom before picking anything up, then circle back to your favorites.

Carry pieces carefully, keep a loose budget in mind, and remember that the best find is sometimes hiding on the very bottom shelf, quietly waiting for its moment.

Watch The Wheel Spin

Few shopping trips come with a live show, but this one often does. The potter’s workshop sits right inside the building, so visitors can watch a lump of wet clay turn into a bowl or mug in just a few minutes.

Tours and demonstrations are a big part of the experience. The owners enjoy walking guests through the process, which usually includes throwing a pot on the wheel, trimming it once it firms up, and then firing and glazing it in the kiln.

Seeing those steps up close gives you a new appreciation for every piece on the sale table.

Want to get your own hands muddy? The studio also teaches classes where you can throw your own pot at the wheel.

After your creation is fired and glazed, you come back later to pick it up, which gives you a great excuse for a return visit.

Kids and grown-ups alike tend to stand a little closer once the wheel starts spinning. Ask questions, because the potters are happy to explain how they shape, trim, and glaze.

Just keep your sale purchases safely away from the splash zone, since clay has a funny way of traveling farther than expected.

Meet Wendy And Espo

Behind every mug on the shelf is a husband-and-wife team with clay under their fingernails. Wendy and Robert, better known as Espo, run the studio together and make the pottery right there in the shop.

Their teamwork shows in the details. One of them might be tending the front displays and greeting guests in the parking lot, while the other is busy at the wheel shaping the next batch of bowls.

Visitors often get treated to a full tour, complete with stories about how each piece comes to life.

The pair also has deep roots in the wider craft scene. They take their work to craft shows throughout New England, which means their pottery reaches folks far beyond Unity.

Over the years, their pieces have also been sold in other Maine gift shops, spreading their handmade style around the state.

Stopping by during the sale is a chance to meet the makers face to face. Say hello, ask about a glaze you like, or find out which piece started as a happy accident.

A friendly chat with the people who shaped your new dishes adds a personal touch no price tag can match.

Shipping, Shows, And A Happy Ending

Worried about fitting a stack of pottery into a tiny rental car? Ask the studio directly about available shipping options before making a large purchase.

That is a real relief for road trippers who fall hard for a full set of dinnerware.

Shipping also comes in handy after you leave. If you get home and wish you had grabbed one more mug, you can order online through the studio website or simply call.

The owners also sell at shows in southern Maine and New Hampshire, so checking their schedule might put you closer to your next pottery fix.

For the sale itself, a few practical tips help. Bring a sturdy box, some old towels, or newspaper for wrapping, and pack heavier pieces on the bottom.

Wear comfy shoes for climbing between floors, and leave room in your plans for a demo or a chat with the makers.

By the end of the day, you will likely drive away with a slightly lighter wallet and a much heavier trunk. Every little glaze drip becomes part of the charm, and every mug carries a small piece of Unity home with you, ready for morning cocoa and happy memories.