Made in Massachusetts: Fine Art Chalkware & Handcrafted Christmas Collectibles

Craftsmanship, Tradition, and Transparency

We are proud to create our work in Massachusetts, where our studio has remained since 1984. In an era when production is often driven by convenience, we have remained committed to creating our signature work where it began—within our Sutton studio in the historic Village of Manchaug.

For us, “Made in Massachusetts” is not simply a point of origin. It reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity, and the enduring traditions that define our work.

Fine Art Chalkware – Made in Massachusetts

Our chalkware is entirely made in Massachusetts, where each piece is hand-cast and individually hand-painted in our Sutton studio.

This process began in 1984, when Judi Vaillancourt first used antique confectionery moulds to reinterpret a 19th century medium. Today, that work has evolved into what we define as fine art chalkware—a medium that combines historical authenticity with fine art painting techniques.

The materials themselves reflect this commitment. The gypsum used in our casting process is sourced in the United States, while our paints, mediums, and many of our moulds are also produced here in Massachusetts. Most importantly, every piece is finished by hand by artisans who carry forward the tradition of craftsmanship within our studio.

The result is work that is not only made in Massachusetts, but shaped by it.

Glass Ornaments – A European Tradition

While our chalkware is made in Massachusetts, our glass ornaments are rooted in the rich history of German glassmaking. One of the first known glassworks factories was established in Lauscha, Germany in 1597 by Christoph Müller and Hans Greiner, laying the foundation for a tradition that would, centuries later, give rise to the first hand-blown Christmas ornaments. In 1996, with the encouragement of a German businessman, we turned to this historic craft to develop our first Vaillancourt Christmas ornaments, including early designs such as the Winking Nordstrom Santa and the Nordstrom Green Santa. From the beginning, our intention was not simply to produce ornaments, but to align our work with the cultural origins and craftsmanship that define the medium.

Around 2001, in an effort to achieve a level of quality consistent with our American-made fine art chalkware, production transitioned from Germany to Poland. There, skilled artisans continue the tradition using time-honored techniques, with each ornament mouth-blown and individually hand-painted. This partnership allows us to maintain the artistic integrity and detail that define our work, while remaining connected to the European heritage of the craft.

Other Vaillancourt Product Lines

Throughout our company’s tenure, we have explored additional product lines and collaborations, each guided by a commitment to craftsmanship and quality.

In the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, we introduced Classical Christmas Creamware, produced in Stoke-on-Trent, England—home to some of the world’s oldest pottery factories. This collection concluded when the factory itself closed.

From 2008 to 2012, we developed Et Cetera, produced in small studios in Maine and Virginia, continuing our exploration of American-made decorative arts.

Earlier, in 1986, Gorham Silver introduced a Vaillancourt-designed line produced in Taipei. This partnership was short-lived, as it did not meet the standards of quality that define our work.

Additionally, from 1991 to 1998, Possible Dreams licensed Judi Vaillancourt’s designs for their Clothtique Santa collection, bringing her artistic vision to a broader audience through a different medium.

While these collections are no longer in production, they remain part of our history—reflecting a period of exploration that ultimately led us to focus on the medium that best expresses our work today: fine art chalkware.

Our Commitment

Where a piece is made matters. It speaks to the materials, the methods, and the hands that bring it to life.

For our chalkware, that story begins and continues in Massachusetts—where each piece is created with intention, shaped by tradition, and finished by hand. For our ornaments, it extends to Europe, where centuries-old techniques continue to define the craft.

Together, these practices reflect a simple philosophy:

We create each piece where it can be made best—guided by history, craftsmanship, and a commitment to producing work that will endure for generations.