Summer Notes

The exciting news is that I have finally bought a bigger kiln and actually got it into the house after taking the front door off. I am now waiting for it to be wired in so that I can begin firing more economically and also create some taller pieces.

At the beginning of July I was lucky enough to be invited to watch Gemma Smale’s wood firing in Parndon Mill. She has recently exhibited her wood fired pots in the gallery there. I haven’t seen the latest pots as yet but am looking forward to that next time I am at the Mill.

Meanwhile at home experiments with screen printing onto pots have been continuing. My first attempts are a bit underwhelming as the choice of stain I used to make the ceramic ink did not show up very well against the black porcelain pots. The details are there but you have to look closely to see them. I have also been working on a wedding plate for a friend’s son and his fiancée. That is now being fired as I write. Attention to detail has been key in this project as I managed to forget the ornamentation on one of the words first time round.

Sales have been good at The Artisan’s Hub at Blake House craft centre and I am currently making more stock which will be heading that way, probably in the next week or two.

Finally, last week I attended a course at Wobage with Jeremy Steward, making lidded vessels. It was wonderful to be back at this amazing place with an enthusiastic group of potters, enjoying Jeremy’s demonstrations and tuition and the delicious food provided by Petra. I have left two jars with Jeremy to be wood fired and brought three home.The other 20 are in the reclaim bucket; they served their purpose!

It is fantastic to have had the opportunity to create so many pieces without pressure, knowing that the pugmill will do the hard work of reclaiming the clay from any discarded pots.