Johanna Calif

[dahliaflowersdogs]

My Grandmother made ceramics under the name of Johanna Calif. Her name was Johanna Sailors. I grew up with many of the Santa's she made.   Sure wish I had asked more questions when I was younger. . My 93 year old dad remembers helping her pack things for shipping.   Looking for more info on her work, Thanks Debby

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[janetpjohn_la]

All I found in Chipman's was the location, which you know, that it was active in the '40s, and that some of the molds were sold to Betty Lou Nichols after it closed.  Can you contact the city or the public library there?

Janet

[dahliaflowersdogs]

Thank you for the info. Checking out Betty Lou Nichols. I remember Grandmother said she made her own molds. Thanks debby

[antique-aholic]

I have been in love with your Grandmother's work ever since I discovered her!  I don't find them often, but I grab them when I can.  Did she work for Betty Lou Nichols at one time?  Another site mentioned she worked for another ceramic artist before going on her own.  Such talent & charm in her pieces!

[dahliaflowersdogs]

I'm not 100% sure but I believe she sold her molds to Betty after she closed her shop down. I see Betty used Grandmother's molds to make some of grandmother's Santas, but the work isn't as fine as my grandmother's but hers do sell for more than Grandmothers. I know Grandmother brought one of her kilims from the shop and had it in her garage for many years. I grew up always in another State or Country then she did and was lucky if we saw her 3 times a year.  I sure wish I had asked her more questions. Tomorrow .3/21/24 my grandmother died about 40 years ago. My mother also passed on the same day 4 years later. I would love to see your collection. I know she would get a kick out of how much her things sell for. So very Happy you reached out to me. Debby

[bayandrue]

I have a nearly pristine set of 12 redwood tumblers, one with the sticker still on it. There are four colors, three of each in dark blue, lavender, yellow, and sagey green (top and interior). The gold sticker says "California Redwood Ceramics by Johanna." The mark on the bottom is "Johanna Calif." I bought these from a vintage store (Deco to Disco) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the 1990s. They've lived with me in Arkansas, northern California (near the redwoods), and now in Portugal. Let me know if these were made by your grandmother. (: