Autumn in the studio

Autumn means the beginning of the cool weather creeping into the studio, During the summer months greenware (clay pieces before they have been in the kiln) can dry and be through the kiln within a couple of weeks but once October arrives the time taken to make a piece from start to finish is increased by a good few weeks.

So that means that production slows a little, also because the cold gets to your hands after a few hours. But at the same time Christmas on the horizon means lots of people are on the hunt for the perfect handmade gift! So we layer up with thermals, boil the kettle for our water bucket at the wheel and make as quickly as the temperature allows.

I have been focusing on making both smaller and bigger statement pieces, but by far my favourite shape to make on the wheel has been big bowls . With a big clay delivery at the end of summer we have been going through a fair bit of clay, two or three extra large bowls easily uses most of a 12.5kilo bag. Most of these will be available in the studio and few smaller bowls will make it into the website towards the end of November. Next up on my make list in the studio is ceramic pomegranates, cups and winter decorations.