Coffee with the Gods.

Today I was able to open the first Glaze firing in the Kiln

I bought off eBay last year.

I have fitted my new thermocouple and it works a treat.

This was all the pots in it 56 in total

all the tankards and soup bowls are for orders,

so are the 6 pasta bowls.

 I managed to fit in some lipped bowls and some small bowls

as some new stock for the showroom.

This lipped bowl picture was taken using my new photo booth. 

This morning I also managed to finish off these salt pigs.

Because they are called salt Pigs I give them

a curly tail when I turn them. 

Last Tuesday I collected a few small pieces that Johnny Leach

 had asked me to biscuit fire in my kiln

because I only fire to 885 oc.

They were firing up the big kiln at the time.

This morning I took the pieces back to Johnny and

I was invited to join them for coffee.

I sat in Johnny's throwing room with Nick Rees, Mark Melbourne,

Johnny Leach, his son Ben Leach and Rachel.

We had a good chat and I felt very humbled to be sat chatting with

these guys who for many years had been hero's of mine.

They do say

"don't meet your hero's",

as they usually disappoint in real life.

But not these Guys, a more down to earth

group of very nice people you couldn't wish to meet.

And here I am sat drinking and chatting to them as a Potter.

I felt as though I should pinch myself.

Invisible pots ?

As You can see I've taken to throwing

Invisible Pots.

In fact I was just setting up my camera. 

I have been making some Salt Pigs for stock. 

For some reason I enjoy making them. 

I Have found that I prefer to pull lips on jugs

a number of hours after I have thrown them, in some cases over night.

I'm also having a go at making some cups and saucers. 

These fresh slipped pie dishes are drying out on the Kiln

which is on at the moment with a glaze firing.

The weather has gone cold again over the past few days and I'm struggling

to get my bones warm. I feel so cold, 

The workshop made it up to 8 oc today.

This new sign I have up in the workshop

will mean something to some of you,

but I'm sure nothing to most of you.

Google: The Hokey Cokey.

New Year New Pots

I have noticed that not many of my recent posts

have included pictures of pots I am working on.

As this is now my main focus

I thought I would show you what I am up to.

I'm going to make a lot more Pancheons this Year

I've been looking into them and this year I hope to start making

the definitive Pancheons.

I just love how simple they are. 

I'm working on an order for Pasta Bowls 

If you want pasta bowls from me

this is the most decoration your gonna get. 

Making stock

20 Lipped bowls thrown this morning. 

I liked them but it would seem Cadbury

was none to impressed. 

I'm not a fan of over decorated pots, but Having said that

I do find that I have to make a conscious decision

to hold back when the wet slip is on the pot.

The more I think about it

The more I believe that this holding back is

what makes my ware stand out

as different.

A weekend in London ( Caution this blog may contain Nuts ) But No Pots.

Our Neighbours here at Barrington,

Pat & Ian also have a House in Putney London.

So along with our Friends Wendy & Martin the six of us

had a weekend in London.

we got up there late on Friday night

and unknown to me Pat had arranged with my eldest Daughter Laura

for us to see a play at the National Theatre.

We got off to a cracking start, the Trains weren't running

so we had to run around the corner to catch the bus replacement service.

This wasn't it. 

as you can see the Thames river tide was out. 

We got to the theatre where Laura works,

she had managed to get us the best seats in the house to see

a play called Seasons Greetings.

it was an Allen Ackbourne play and very very funny.

and as a surprise Pat had arranged for Laura to Join us. 

By the time we came out it was dark. 

But we managed to find a pub or two, or was it three. 

This is our Neighbour Ian and Pub tour guide. 

The Royal Opera House. 

and I liked this quirky little shop

selling Frozen Yogurt. The lights were constantly changing colour. 

of the three lit buildings the one on the right as you look at this is the Savoy.

The next morning we popped into this small coffee shop in Richmond.

On the wall of fame were pictures of all sorts of famous people

who had stayed here, including Jerry Hall laid out on a couch

as me and Martin wondered around the place we happened upon

 the very same couch, and Martin was able to copy the pose

and as he laid there posing some posh people passed us and were not

 impressed, with my declaration that Martin actually had better legs. 

after lunch in a pub we had a stroll along the Thames.

where I spotted this boat workshop. 

and Marion found the perfect boat for Her.

and to top off a great weekend Martin & Wendy found

a Beautiful piece of furniture

we all crowded in while Martin did a deal.

and then we headed home to get ready for

 the wassail tonight.

So Don't miss that.

Wassail 5.30pm - 8pm

Barrington Court.

I'm Back.

I'm Back !

Having had a hectic 2010

working right up to 5pm on Christmas Eve.

I decided to take an extended break over Christmas and New Year.

Marion was off work as well so we were able to spend some

Quality Time together.

and it gave me some space to do some thinking. 

I'm going to be taking a more targeted approach in 2011. 

and aim my sights higher this year. 

Even some of my pots are going to be higher as well

with this new addition to the showroom, picked up on one of our days out. 

I also acquired a new photo booth kit

so I can take some better quality pictures of my pots. 

So Yesterday was my first day back in the workshop, and I set about

putting some oil in my pug mill, followed, by pugging 2 bins full of clay. 

To get me back in the groove I set myself a target of throwing

50 small bowls before lunch. 

I was very pleased to complete them at 12.55.

so My first target of the year was completed. 

One of my other bug bares was to get my other kiln sorted out

and Today I think I sorted it

I ordered a new thermocouple from Staffordshire Instruments

They tell me they supply them to most kiln manufacturers including my one.

so I think I've saved about £40. 

This is a picture using the new booth

I've got to iron out the background, but it came complete with

two daylight bulbs which I think will make the difference.

Loads of things lined up for the year ahead and I will add some more info

soon.

But at the moment I still have loads of new orders to make.

Happy New Year to you all

It feels like it's going to be an extremely busy one.