Kathy Wolfe Designs - - Cookie Jar and Salt & Pepper Artist

Wolfe majored in art at college and started out doing commercial art, some pottery, jewelry etching and sculptures. One day when she was particularly stressed out, Wolfe went to an Antique show where some salt and pepper sets caught her eye. She only wanted the pieces because they were a reminder of her Grandmother.

She got more than just a set, she got a total education on shakers from the seller and eventually another local salt/pepper expert the seller referred her to. Soon she wound up designing and making a set of Husky dog shakers for a local club. Next, a friend saw her shakers and wanted a Brayton-style cookie jar. The rest is history.

The first jar she made was the reproduction of a Brayton mammy in the early nineties, but that was just the beginning of the demand for her pottery designs.

Around the same time she made a set of Big Boy shakers and took them into the local restaurant to see what they thought. Luckily, the restaurant owner was related to the person handing the merchandise at the parent company. Soon Kathy was in the Big Boy pottery business.

If you've seen a Big Boy cookie jar for sale, it mostly likely was made by Kathy. Although she hasn't done them all, her jars are the ones that go for big bucks -- everyone loves them and they're great jars to add to your collection. The first jar was one of the 1936 Big Boy character, he had no shirt on and a bite was taken out of the hamburger in his hand.

Big Boy jars include:

• 1936 Big Boy character
• 1956 Big Boy character
• Dolly -- Big Boy Waitress
• Cruisin' Big Boy
• Large Mug-shaped jar

• Kentucky Fried Chicken Colonel
• Purdue Pete
• San Jose Sharks Goalie
• Statue of Liberty Jar
• Jazzy Junque Store
• Howard Johnson's Restaurant

Wolfe is also known for her one-of-a-kind waitresses, Statue of Liberty jar and a variety of other jars. And check out her scary Halloween jars!

Wolfe has done numerous dog sets (mostly the huskies she loves), Eskimos, as well as licensed shakers for Big Boy and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

She not only rides motorcycles, she works with the Michigan State University Police Motorcycle Training department. Riding back and forth between different locations and coordinating the program.

If you love cookie jars and especially love Artist jars, Wolfe is someone who should be represented in your collection. Prices are reasonable and the market isn't over-saturated with her jars. The licensed pieces are terrific and sought after by collectors across the country. It was only after talking to Kathy that I realized how many of her jars I have, probably more artist jars from her than anyone else.

And if you like something really special, look into getting one of her one-of-a-kind jars!