Char:Did you design the Monk cookie jar? It was copied by a few people! There were knockoffs of that jar.

What was your inspiration?

Don & Norma Winton:I guess it was when I saw Robin Hood back in the forties. the Robin Hood with Errol Flynn The Friar Tuck was funny and fat. We made banks and S & P's of the little Monk too.

Char:I enjoy his eyes, he seems to be smiling through his eyes.

CrazyCouple:I've never seen that bank either. I knew a collector that put all their monk cookie jars in their bathroom.

Smoky:Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with a idea and had to go with it right then?

Don & Norma Winton:No, but I have awakened and thought of ideas. Thought I surely wouldn't forget them by morning because they were so good. I woke up the next morning and they were forgotten.

Candice:Do you have a favorite holiday jar?

Don & Norma Winton:Oh yes, we have a snowman and Santa Claus that we revived four years ago. It was a re-do of one from way back. It's not available anymore, just on secondary market

Candice:The one of Santa with the large bag?

Don & Norma Winton:Yes that is the one, there were 100 made of them.

Candice:Mike Ellis had helped me decide that I had found an old one, but lost the bid!

Don & Norma Winton:We also made a Santa praying at the manger for Roerigs.

Candice:Oh, yes, that is a very sweet one.

CrazyCouple:I remember that jar. Really nice.

Don & Norma Winton:I think the secondary market is $250 +.

Donna:Did you make a Santa that is black also?

Don & Norma Winton:It was the same Santa but with a black face, our son Craig did it. He made five of them for a dealer in Texas. The dealer got quite a good price on them.

Elsie:Is Norma here too Don? Does she also do jars etc?

Don & Norma Winton:Norma is here, helping answer these question. Always here, she never lets me go.

Julie:Do you and Norma have one of each of your jars?

Don & Norma Winton:Julie.. NO I wish we did. Where we would put them all? That is why we are looking for Elf one.

Msmammy:Do you have children and do they have similiar interests in ceramics?

Don & Norma Winton:Our daughter is a professional cake decorator, she is artistic. Our son Craig did some decorating, but he really likes mechanics, engines. The Santa was a short time thing.

Don & Norma Winton:Norma is not really a designer.

Any other questions?

Char:I have one, what do you think of reproductions?

Don & Norma Winton:Do you mean legitimate reproductions or in what way?

Char:Both - jars reproduced.

Don & Norma Winton:We both feel that they must be open that they are reproductions. As long as people make it clear that they are reproductions. But it is still not right, it is encroaching on another's work, on an original design, unless they want to compensate us for their original pieces with royalties.

CrazyCouple:What happened with the cute skunk bank you were working on last year?

Don & Norma Winton: The skunk is on my shelf. I think I am going to do a skunk cookie jar.

CrazyCouple:The bank would be great to go with the cookie jar.

Don & Norma Winton:His name is Posie the skunk. He is holding a bouquet of flowers. A cute face, black & white.

CrazyCouple:Sounds like Flower from Bambi.

Julie:With a pink nose?

Don & Norma Winton:Yes, pretty much the same, just different. Same principle as Disney and Warners Bros. We all use the same cartoon principles.

Merla:Will Posie be ready by the cookie jar show?

Don & Norma Winton:Pink nose?

Julie:Yes, the skunk.

Don & Norma Winton:I didn't know what color I made this bank, I think I will have pink noses on them from now on.

Sandi:Don I have a comment, not a question. I think of yours jars as "feel good jars" They are so happy looking, they make folks smile.

Don & Norma Winton:Oh, thanks I think it is whimsey that sells the jar, they are happy, when you look at them they make you happy. Mostly for the kids, they are cute.

We look forward to doing this again sometime soon.

Donna:Yes, we would love to have you and Norma back real soon.

Char:This is alot of fun thank you for taking the time to chat with us.

Sandi:Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Winton, how nice of you to take the time to visit with us. Come back soon!

Julie:Thank yo so much.

Merla:Yes, thank you.

Don & Norma Winton:How nice, thank you.. we are very flattered that you all want to hear what we have to say.

Char:There are a lot of cookie jar collectors out there who appreciate your work.

Don & Norma Winton:Good night all!

End of recorded Chat.