Rural Routes - Whispered Secret Pottery Studio

643 Sarles Rd.
Stirling, Ontario
K0K 3E0

Ontario Tourism Region : Ontario's Highlands

Driving Directions:

See Google Map above for driving directions

Business Hours:

By chance or appointment - i do suggest, and generally prefer, if you call or email me in advance.

Description From Owner:

Operating from an old farm house in Stirling-Rawdon, since 2004, Whispered Secret Pottery Studio produces wheel thrown functional stoneware.
Alecia Bye specializes in an old English underglaze decorating technique known as 'Mocha'.
Mochaware was originally produced in England and Scotland during the 18th and 19th centuries but it seemed to end about 1910.
The oldest known piece of mocha pottery can be found in England and is dated 1799.
I love making custom pet dishes with names and birthdates... they make great keepsakes.
ALL OF MY POTTERY IS OVEN, DISHWASHER AND MICROWAVE SAFE (except items made with black clay as its high iron content make it unsuitable for the microwave).

Address of this page: http://www.ruralroutes.com/whisperedsecret

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Erin Comer on 18-Aug-20

You are sooo very artistic... I love what you do...

Ed on 11-May-13

Very nice work on the cups, i like them a lot, thanks :)

Sarah Stavroff on 05-Jul-12

The Whispered Secret By Sarah Stavroff January 9th 2012 It was with anticipation that we set out on a bright crisp November morning. The sun rays bouncing on the Trent River made the day idyllic. Our destination was Sarles Road north of Stirling. Everything is an adventure to us as we are fairly new to the area. Having a weekend home that needs lots of renovations we had not yet covered this area. Now residing here full time we love to explore. At the Presquile Christmas craft show we purchased a unique piece of pottery. Later that month we had the good fortune of meeting the artist’s at the Batawa Ski Hill Craftfusion show. Alecia Bye and her sister Shirley Wilson have finessed the art of Mocha design on their pottery. It is hand thrown, non-toxic, dishwasher and microwave safe. “Mocha” ware was produced in Scotland and England during the 18th and 19th century and disappeared around 1910. The oldest known pieces of “Mocha” pottery can be found in England and dates as far back as 1799. Little documentation existed that described the actual process of “Mocha” decorating. Shirley’s determination to uncover the secret finally paid off after exhaustive experimenting and many hours of trial and error. She managed to reproduce the ancient patterns of “tree-like” designs found in Arabic quartz known as mocha stone. The journey to the studio is as picturesque as you would expect in this in this part of the world. The countryside as you leave Stirling is open and green and makes you exhale in contentment. As we looked back through the mirror the undulating hills filled the view making us realize the mere beauty of the area. As we turned on to Sine Road we spotted the studio. Their home is a beautiful old red brick farmhouse with a wonderful big porch. Coming up the driveway the site before us was everything a country home should be. As we approached the front door we passed three polka dotted Polish hens chattering amongst themselves and a rooster named Free Bird doing his own thing. The porch was filled with bird feeders at different heights overflowing with seeds and well fed birds pecking away. Opening the door to the studio fulfilled our senses with a calmness and visual cornucopia. We were greeted by Alecia in her warm, friendly and down to earth manner. Around her feet was Reg her rescued Jack Russell terrier so excited to meet new people and one of the most affectionate dogs I have ever met. As you get to know Alecia it becomes apparent how deeply her love of the clay is. Her sister Shirley’s gift to her of decorating and glazing is truly apparent and can be seen in her enthusiasm and dedication to her work. Our eyes scanned the studio shelves perusing the vast amount of colours and shapes. The room is decorated in soft creams and beiges and the beautiful large wooden planks on the floor create a warmth of the country in the sunlight room. The mocha pieces of pottery are hand designed using the special secret recipe and is a magical process to witness. Alecia demonstrated the technique in her workshop that morning and it was an amazing transformation on the clay. The Whispered Secret Pottery Studio takes me back to my childhood in Scotland. Many potters had studion in their own homes and out buildings. Nothing could hide the fact that they were hard working dedicated artists who took great pride in their work. There is an honesty and pureness of working the clay into a beautiful piece to be owned or gifted to someone you love or deeply care about. You know that every piece that is created in this studio has been made with respect to an age old tradition and process. I was drawn to that first piece of pottery from Whispered Secret and now I know why. To visit the studio call Alecia at 614- 395-2147 or email her at ajbye2@hotmail.com

Donna Craigen on 05-Jan-11

I LOVE your pottery and I can't wait to purchase more pieces. They are so different from anything I have collected and I'm so glad to have found your website. Thanks again.

wayne maxwell on 28-Jun-10

your pottery rocks. coolest stuff. is each piece unique. keep up the good work. good luck. thanks agian for the pottery. my aunt will love it

Judy on 11-Oct-09

I have purchased a customized fruit bowl from her a few years ago and am now awaiting a matching gravy bowl. Definitely in my opinion withstands the test of time, With three kids and a curious cat my fruit bowl still looks as beautiful as the day i bought it! Slowly but surely will be purchasing other matching pieces till my collection is complete.

Bretta on 07-Oct-09

I have given Alecia and Shirleys's pottery as wedding/shower gift numerous times over the years. They are original, unique and they are often the 'favorite' among gifts! I also have several pieces myself and LOVE them. They are durable, useful and gorgeous. Couple favs are the spoon holder/rest and personalize dog bowls...love them!

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Off the beaten track:	Minto, Stirling area, 1km Sine, 5km West Huntingdon, 6km Spring Brook, 6km Ivanhoe, 6km West Huntingdon Station, 7km Tuftsville, 9km Ivanhoe Station, 8km Madoc Junction, 9km Anson, 10km Wellman, 8km Bonarlaw, 9km Mount Pleasant, Stirling area, 10km White Lake, Madoc area, 10km River Valley, Stirling area, 12km Crookston, 10km Oak Lake, Stirling area, 12km	Halloway, 12km Glen Ross, 13km Fuller, 10km Moira, 11km Chatterton, 15km Hoards, 13km Zion Hill, Foxboro area, 14km Phillipston, 13km Deloro, 16km Marmora Station, 16km Rylstone, 13km Menie, 14km Wallbridge, 19km Burnbrae, 14km German Landing, 17km Green Acres, 16km Allan Mills, 15km	Maple View, 18km Buller Siding, 16km Buller, Tweed, 16km Pethericks Corners, 15km Malone, 21km Stockdale, 21km Thomasburg, 16km Lodgeroom Corners, 17km Hazzards Corners, 22km Thrasher's Corners, 19km Crowe Bridge, 17km Honeywell Corners, 20km Roslin, 17km Plainfield, 18km English Line, 19km Stanwood, 17km
Nearby Lakes:	Ross Lake, 9km White Lake, 10km Oak Lake, 12km Banker Lake, 13km Snake Lake, 12km Moreland Lake, 11km Jarvis Lake, 15km Moira Lake, 14km Drag Lake, 14km Rylstone Lake, 14km Hazzard Lake, 23km Eldorado Lake, 24km Crowe Lake, 19km Mud Lake, 18km Seymour Lake, 21km Stoco Lake, 23km Tremur Lake, 31km	Gunter Lake, 33km Buttermilk Lake, 29km Twin Sister Lakes, 29km Thompson Lake, 31km Belmont Lake, 26km Sawlog Lake, 31km Robinson Lake, 35km Wolf Lake, 35km Quinlan Lake, 36km Ameliasburg Mill Pond, 36km Roblin Lake, 37km Cordova Lake, 31km Round Lake, 29km Lost Lake, 32km Mud Turtle Lake, 35km Marland Lake, 29km Matson Lake, 38km	Hermiston Lake, 31km Connor Lake, 39km Harper Lake, 40km Hidden Lake, 39km Tamarack Lake, 40km McKnight Lake, 40km Carson Lake, 39km Stevenson Lake, 31km Norham Pond, 34km Elzevir Lake, 39km Consecon Lake, 42km Barry Lake, 31km Door Lake, 42km Mann Lake, 42km Little Whitney Lake, 34km Limit Lake, 40km

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