Annette Honeywell

Annette Honeywell designed the Franciscan embossed hand-painted pattern Desert Rose. Desert Rose is one of the most popular of all worldwide tableware patterns. Honeywell was an artist and designer. She exhibited her floral watercolors and portraits at art shows. In the field of design, she designed fabrics for home and clothes, wallpapers, and tableware.

Born Annette Ogle Heidelbach April 13, 1904 in Chicago, Illinois, Honeywell as a young girl moved to Coeur d’Alene, North Idaho and then to San Diego, California. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago being the youngest day student. She married Clarence Custer Honeywell in 1923, settling in Los Angeles. Clarence died early in their marriage in 1933. Honeywell taught at Chouinard Art School.

Annette Honeywell was a contract designer for Gladding, McBean & Co.’s Franciscan dinnerware Glendale division in Los Angeles from the early 1940s to the early 1950s. The design team she worked with at Franciscan was headed by Mary Grant, wife of the plant’s manager Frederic Grant. The first project Annette Honeywell designed was the pattern Desert Rose, introduced in 1941. The shapes and embossing of Desert Rose were carved by Mary Jane Winans. Mary Jane Winans was employed as a designer from 1937 to 1940, and was a freelance designer from 1941 to 1953. Mary Jane Winans became the Chief Designer and Stylist for Gladding, McBean’s Franciscan division in 1953.

In 1942, Wild Flowers was introduced. Honeywell is attributed to be the designer of Wild Flowers. In 1943, the fine china pattern Blue Jessamine was introduced. In 1946, Blue Jessamine was renamed Elsinore. Honeywell designed the pattern Blue Jessamine/Elsinore. In 1950, Honeywell designed the pattern California Poppy, with the shapes being carved by Mary Jane Winans. Annette Honeywell may have designed or contributed to other earthenware or fine china patterns for Franciscan. Honeywell’s designs for dinnerware and ceramics for other ceramic companies include Vernon Kiln’s El Camino Real, California Missions 14″ plate, California Casual for Wallace China, and Garden Pinks for Stewart House California.

Annette Honeywell died January 5th, 1959 at the age of 54.