Tony Helbling, the owner and founder of L & H Manufacturing, originally was
successfully selling branding irons all over the United States and Canada.
He thought that the ranchers would like to have their brands on a ceramic
figure of their prize cattle. Little Heart Ceramics was started because of
this concept during 1959. Little Heart's main business consisted of
specialty advertising items.Mr. Helbling was very fortunate indeed to be
able to buy the original Messer moulds from Joe Messer of Bowman, North
Dakota. Included among the molds were cattle molds in four different sizes
in breeds such as Herefords, Holsteins, and Black Angus. Joe and Eunice
Messer had ceased their production during 1956.
While calling on his distributors, Tony would show customers a sample of
the ceramic cattle and many sales were made this way. Many orders came in on
a regular basis from retailers for the cattle and other figurines.
It is probable that Little Heart Ceramics were also sold through L & H
Manufacturing using dealers located in other states as well as Canada.
Jerry Schuch was sales manager for Little Heart Ceramics and in charge of
production of the Little Heart Ceramics. He also drew out designs for their
specialty advertising items.
A variety of ceramics were sold; including figurines of animals,
ashtrays, paperweights, vases, salt & pepper shakers, and even an attractive
18 piece nativity scene.
Their clay was supplied by a firm in Fargo, North Dakota, then mixed with
water and other chemicals in preparation for making ceramics.
Several people were instrumental in the process of creating and selling
Little Heart Ceramics. Bill Helbling, Tony's brother, would carve an
original sculpture then create a Plaster of Paris mold from the pattern.
Each mold would take about a week to dry. After the mold was finished, Mrs.
Francis Braun and Mrs. Ida Lanz would complete the casting and trimming of
the greenware which would then be fired for about 6 hours and then allowed
to cool for another 8 hours.
Both Mrs. Braun and Mrs. Lanz would then use either an airbrush or
delicate brush strokes to glaze the whiteware which was then ready for a
final firing. All of the employees learned their trade the hard way, on the
job.
Little Heart Ceramics was finally discontinued in 1968.