Quiet Voice

You know there are times when I feel like a school teacher- forever having to ask LL to use his 'quiet voice' in that particular patient tone teachers employ. Other times all he wants to do is make things in clay*, "just like Daddy." Today was a bit of both with excess noise through the middle and peaceful, creative fun later. As for the morning, that was taken up with learning to swim butterfly stroke.

Although never referred to as "Nana" this apron was one of mum's favourites for the little guy and has proved very useful over the years. Still fits just.















*Real potter's stoneware clay, not plastercine or play-dough. Thankfully at present he's not too fussed about getting it fired.

Tilted

I've just uploaded images of my final (for the moment) two pots. They can be found on Webshots here and as ever will be at the very end of the folder.

Now before you say they look rather wonky, they were thrown on an angled wheel head, as I've previously mentioned. It's pretty b****y tricky I can tell you. Having thrown a nice regular pot, the effect is that when placed to a level surface, the pot leans at a pleasing angle. If I return to ceramics, I think I'll give this another go...

Does My Hair Clash With My Shirt?*

*Or what happens when children are allowed to pick their own clothes LOL.

What a lovely day, with temperatures at 20 degrees Celsius in the shade in my garden. Not bad for early April. In fact an excellent day for playing in the park and then back home for toasted cheese sandwiches. Mmm.

Oh and I should mention I got another pot back from college this past week. It's Marbled Blue, my Stoneware glaze of choice at present. It will be uploaded to Webshots shortly but in the mean time, take a look at this:

Nottingham Forest 3 - 4 Reading

The Royals move to 5th on 66 points.

Cut-Out

I've just uploaded here, 5 images from 2 of my most recent pots. As always the latests pictures are at the far end of the folder.

Stoneware glazes used are Light Oatmeal and Fiord Blue with Blue/Grey. Unfortunately the Oatmeal seems to have run a little too thin and has pretty much burnt away. I'm intending to see if I might be able to re-glaze it in the coming weeks but since the clay has now vitrified, a second glaze may not take and instead simply run off in firing. We'll see and as always I'll publish the outcome.

Blood

Three unconnected items to mention today:

I've just uploaded a couple of images of my latest work: it's a stoneware bowl with earthenware glazes applied. Crimson Blood and Turquoise so you know.  







Earthenware glazes as a rule give a different range of colours so it can be fun to experiment, provided a basic principle is followed. Stoneware glaze needs to be fired at around 1260 degrees Celsius (about 2300 degrees Fahrenheit) and earthenware clay can only be fired to about 1080 degrees C (1976 degrees F) without it starting to break down. This means you can put earthenware glaze on a stoneware pot and fire at the lower temperature without any problems but you can't fire an earthenware pot with stoneware glaze at the higher level. 

Unfortunately the Crimson is a tad thin in places but overall I'm rather satisfied. Please take a look here and I've been asked to point out that the latest work is to found at the back of the folder.



I recently purchased (on a whim) a toasted sandwich maker. Kind of takes me back to my childhood: I absolutely loved toasted sandwiches during my formative years and I suspect I might have lived on the things if I'd been permitted LOL. Anyway this one cost the grand sum of £5.47 (about $8.75). How on Earth do we make it for that price, let alone no doubt ship it half way round the planet and still sell it for a profit?  

Exploitation of the Third World work force? Discuss.

08 March 2011 Ipswich 1 - 3 Reading

The Royals move to 8th in the league on 54 points.

I was somewhat shocked (and saddened) to hear the news yesterday that Reading defender Chris Armstrong has been forced to retire from professional football at the age of just 28 because he has Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently he was diagnosed in 2009 and has continued to be able to play for the first team until now but feels it is right to stand down.

This makes me feel very grateful for my relative good health.

So Far...

Thought I'd post a sneak view of my current work in progress. It's now waiting bisque firing so fingers crossed I'll be glazing soon.

Seeing Stars

Please take a couple of minutes to wander over to my Webshots page, where you'll find some new images of my latest work. I've put a handy link here.

Re-Engineered Part II

As promised here. My latest somewhat experimental work is completed and now home. Due to the college summer break and overseas travel, there's been something of a delay. Sorry if you've been waiting (!) and have wondered what's happened to those rather odd pieces I make.

Thrown Bowl, torn, rebuilt and then glazed in Marbled Blue.











I've uploaded more images to this folder on my Webshots page. Please feel free to take a look and comment.

You can expect more work, developing my current bizarre obsessions in the coming weeks...

Elsewhere I've now taken two trips in under a week down to see SM and Dad at their new place in Dorset, to sort out his computer. It takes about one and a half to two hours each way depending. Perhaps I could go into business offering in-home computer support to the elderly those of 'experienced years.' Then again I guess if I was actually any good, I would have got it right the first visit! Ho hum...

Tweet!

Have just unwrapped a lovely hand-made tree hanging.
Thank you.

Weekend

Thought I'd post a brief update from last weekend.

Saturday started in the usual fashion with a certain young man going to Gym club, which he loves. He'll never be the best by a long shot but the important thing is that he always seems to try his best. Later we went along to Dad's church where they were holding a craft sale and Dad was attempting to drum up interest in some pottery pieces. In the end he sold about 9, three of mine and the rest his. To be honest, based on those sales, I'm not ready to jack the job and become a full time potter LOL but it was a good exercise.

The annual Southern Ceramics Show was also being held at The Maltings in Farnham, so I popped along there Sunday to see how the professionals do things. Made the wise decision to leave all but ten pounds at home, so couldn't be too tempted LOL.

Handmade Valentine Cards

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Valentine Playing Cards - Custom Playing Cards

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Valentine's Day Coloring Pages

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Doctor Who Was Never Like This, Was It..?

Actress Katy Manning (who played Jo Grant to Jon Pertwee's third Doctor) obviously wanted to shed her goodie-two-shoes image when she left the show in the 70's....






Do you think it worked?












I used this image a few years back for the "Media" segment of my City & Guilds Creative Studies, dontcha know.

Saturday Update

Just a brief early evening posting for you.

Took a trip out to the Southern Pottery and Ceramics Show, held annually at The Maltings, Farnham. Sadly there were slightly fewer potters displaying this year- is this a sign of the Credit Crunch having an effect? It certainly costs a small fortune to exhibit and maybe some are feeling this was a show too far. I don't know.

Thankfully one of my favourite potters was present today, as well as being one of the afternoon speakers. How would you fancy serving your Tea from one of these creations? All are fully functional! I particularly loved the the blue Tea Pot with the black handle, which turned out to be rubber covered. Very tactile. Nice. All the rest are 100% ceramic and 110% amazing.














Take a look at Richard Godfrey's website here for more!

















Elsewhere today The Royals entertained fourth from bottom Southampton. The Saints out played Reading and finally broke their unbeaten home run this season. The game finished Reading 1 - 2 Southampton. The Reading stay in third.

Sunday Update

Just a brief update.

Yesterday I visited the Contemporary Craft and Design Show, at it's stop-over in the wonderful grounds of a nearby private school. Spent an enjoyable couple of hours browsing the 100 or so stalls and chatting with makers. I should be posting lots of pictures from the show but sadly there were numerous signs forbidding photography and every time I whipped out my camera for a sneaky click, I got seriously scowled at. Here's the link for the official site. My only real criticism of this event remains the same as for previous years and venues. This particular organisation seems to allow a disproportionate number of Jewellery makers into their events. Somehow it appears a little unbalanced in that regard.

Later I met with my uncle and aunt plus two of my cousins (the middle and youngest on that side, fact fans) with their respective wives and kids. I haven't seen the middle one and his family properly for years (they moved away, for a better life in the West Country) although we used to be quite close, brewing and 'sampling' wine and beer together (hic) among other things... The conversation was lively, while the Beef Madras was very good and although it sounds like an odd combination to follow, the Treacle Toffee Pudding with custard was excellent. Mmmm

Guild

Took a trip out to see a show put on by the Sussex Guild this weekend. Check out their site: http://www.thesussexguild.co.uk/



The image is a piece of lustre-ware made by husband and wife team Atkinson-Jones (http://www.atkinsonjones.co.uk/) who I have known for a number of years and kindly sent me tickets. Never one to pass on freebies!











I'd also like to extend a big thanks to Aston Villa for keeping Reading FC out of the religation zone for a bit longer. Villa beat Birmingham yesterday 5-1.