Pottery
Five years on from our move, and, like everyone else, we have been at home. For me, that has meant a spring and summer close to the garden birds, and a little more time to make pottery, just for fun.
As the small birds fledged, I was there to capture some photographs, and when that drama was over, I found myself adding birds to my pots. This is something I will pursue some more, when time allows. Who knows what the next year will bring?
Since my last blog, I have moved house, and moved two Pottery studios! I am now living in central Sidcup, and teaching at The Learning Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath.
At home I have made a studio in a shed under a massive willow tree.
My poor old kiln just about survived the journey, but I am blessed to have a brand new one! For 18 years I had to monitor my ancient old faithful, and turn it up, and off, by hand, I can now programme my new Rhode top loader, and it does all th
e work for me. It is like the difference between making cheese on toast under a grill, and programming a microwave ready meal. I learned a lot by firing from first principles for so long; plotting graphs and staying up late, but I’m happy to sell out to my digital controller now!
Since setting up, I’ve taken my squashed, ‘Hold me’ mugs, and made them bigger, and I’ve also started making large mugs with pockets. The original idea was to use them for a biscuit, but I’ve also had people buying them to pop your teabag in after brewing.
The idea for these new mugs came as a commission for a, ‘comfort mug’ from Deborah, who manages Sidcup & Co in Sidcup High street, where my pots are for sale. She wanted a mug that would fit comfortably into her hand, so we had to work out how to make one.
I made a selection of mug shapes on the wheel, and Deborah came round to squeeze some of them, to take the shape of her hand.
Once they firmed up a little I added handles. They were such fun to make, that I made a larger batch, squeezed by me this time.
So I’ve ended up with a new range of mugs, and in some new glazes; I’m really pleased!
The mugs are good to use too. A mug has to work well, and I was slightly worried about how tea would flow round the, ‘thumb dimple,’ but no problems.
