Well, it's been a while, as Fairport Convention asked; "who knows where  the time goes"? The leaves are turning and there is a nip in the air which means starting to prepare for the Oxford Ceramics Fair which takes place at the end of this month. It's always a great show and I'm looking forward to going down there, showing my work and catching up with folk. I've also been working hard on a book: Kilns and firing, which I've been asked to write by Bloomsbury due for publication in 2014. Lots of researching words and images. Probably sad but I really enjoy this type of activity, it's in one way completely removed from the processes of making objects but very similar in the way that both objects and words can be crafted. I've also finally started to make work for my next firing which will be in early January. The new kiln is much larger than the last so obviously takes longer to fill etc. I have 8 pallets of wood due to be deliverd at the begining of November. I'm planning to fire the kiln for an extra day this time which is heading back up towards the 5 day firings which I used to do,I'm already starting to get excited about the potentials of that.

These pieces stand about 45cm high and have a black engobe and porcelain slip applied, the plan is to loosly pour a dense crackle shino over them and fire them on the firebox ledges. I'll keep you updated :-) Now off to throw large chargers.

Damper: but not in a wet way

I've spent the last few days taking down the new kiln chimney in order to put a damper in it. Not suprisingly, it's a lot easier to take a chimney down than it is to put it back up again.

And yes...... the sun is casting shadows. Summer!

I've also lowered the chimney by about 6 courses, not due to laziness you understand but I don't think the kiln needs as much draw as the chimney was providing. Hopefully with the combination of a slightly lower chimney + a damper I should be able to have a little more control over the internal atmosphere.

I've also been spending some long overdue time updating the website. Some new pages documenting the building of the kiln and of some of the work that came out of the first firing as well as a bit of a general tidy up.

I should be getting the wood for the next firing in September and will start making next week.

Great show, if a little bit boggy :-o

It was great to be showing at 'Art in Clay', at Hatfield House over the weekend, and good to catch up with folks and meet new makers, collectors and enthusiasts. The above picture was taken on the Saturday when the weather was on and off (in this picture off but imminently on or the other way around depending on your view :-). Warwickshire open studios this weekend and then back to start the modifications on the new anagama chimney.

Ready for Art in Clay

I've been dodging the showers this afternooon packing the van ready to head down to Art in Clay at Hatfield house in the morning. Looking forward to the show and catching up with folk. The show runs from Friday to Sunday 10am - 5pm. Good British summer clothes packed: sun screen and wellies and some good beer for the evenings. Also on board are pots destined for the 'Woodfired', exhibition at the Contemporary Ceramic Centre, at 68, Great Russel Street, London, which runs from the 16th August until the 8th September. Next weekend I'll be down in Stratford-Upon-Avon demonstrating at Warwickshire open studios. Also showing are painter  Claire Brierley and Photographer Sophie Ganner, the show looks great. Hope to see you at one of these if you can make it :-)

Shower.

Let the show begin

Well, the van's packed ready for the trip up to Rufford tomorrow for the Earth and Fire event. The event runs form 10am to 5pm Friday to Sunday. I'm bringing a few larger pots and some of the smaller pieces out of the last firing. I've also altered my stand a little from last year and I think it looks crisp and displays the work well. Hope to see you there :-)

A few small events

Well it's been a few weeks since the last firing, all the grinding has been done and it was time to start getting organised for the various shows I'm doing over the summer. Over the bank holiday week end 6th- 7th May I was asked to take part in some making demos at Rufford Country Park helping to promote Craft and Design month as well as the rapidly approaching Earth and Fire event now in it's 18th year. (This year it runs from Friday 22nd June to Sunday 24th). This was well attended and Polly Uttley and myself stoically demonstrated even though the weather was freezing. On the Monday we were allowed inside, which at least meant we could feel our fingers :-)

Last weekend 20th May I was showing in Loughborough town Centre in an event entitled Ceramics in Charnwood. Again, this event was organised to promote ceramics in Leicestershire and also to promote Craft and Design month. Again it was freezing but well attended. As I write this we have the first hot day of the year, and I'd be loving it if I didn't have a stinking cold. Whoop!

Now looking forward to Earth and Fire in a month or so. followed 2 weeks later by Art in Clay at Hatfield House :-)

A few pieces from the last firing

Well, the dust has settled or rather been forced to the ground by the persistant rain and, having cleaned up the work from the first firing I've now had the chance to take some images of individual pieces. So, here are a few:

A couple of lidded boxes.  These have been sitting on the shelf for about 18 months because having made them I couldn't work out if I liked them or not. Really pleased I finally fired them.

These three bottles stand at around 70-80cm and were fired close to the firebox.

A pair of the black jars stand around 130cm.

Three large shino glazed platters about 70cm diameter.

Already starting to think ahead to the next firing which will hopefully be late this year or early next. Also planning a firing in the anagama at Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridgeshire early October time, so plenty of work to be made over the next few months. Had a good couple of days demonstrating at Rufford craft centre over the bank holiday weekend promoting Earth and Fire and Craft & Design Month. My next event is the weekend after next (20th May), in Loughborough town centre where 40 makers will be showing again to promote Craft and Design month. Busy busy :-)