The St Ives Effect..

A couple of weeks ago while Marion had a few days of work

we ventured down to the Leach Pottery at St Ives.

and yes we did the obliquity shot of the fire place.

I had left the camera in the car so this somewhat grainy shot was taken with my mobile phone.

It was very interesting and well worth the visit for Pottery fans.

In the shop we were told that there was no standard stock for sale

as every time they open the kiln it sells.

Yet sneaking a peek in the working studio there was no sign of any work in production.

This had obviously hit home to me when we got back home

The following morning I was in the workshop early

and threw 42 small bowls and 28 Lipped bowls.

My two best selling lines, there was no way I was going to be out of stock

of my best selling things.

It really has spurred me on to making more pots,

I can't afford to miss a sale because of a lack of stock

to my mind that is a Capital Offence.

Inspiration also comes in other forms

I've always Loved Clive Bowen's Lidded Jars

and we had a chance to look at some more

at close hand in the shop. I have tried on numerous

occasions to make some that could stand up to scrutiny.

I Think this one hits the spot.

There Back !!!!!

Yes They are back on My Feet

and boy do they Feel Good !

I tried with these pimp shoes for as long as I could

but it was never a Marriage made in Heaven.
So I ordered these pair of shoes off Ebay.

I thought they look comfy, smart and were within my Budget.

But What did I get ?

This is what turned up in the box.

a poor imitation I think you will agree.

I thought I would try them on any way just to save me the bother

of sending them back, but I couldn't even get my feet in them.

So the Moral of the story is don't buy shoes off ebay.
I've got 166 pots to make and complete in the next 3 weeks
and so I have reverted back to my old faithful shoes.

When the pressure is on Comfort is the name of the game.

New Dip Bowls

I shouldn't be doing this blog !

I've got so much work to do over the next 3 weeks it's getting scary.

I've made 6 of these new improved dip bowls.

and these little chaps are just test pots but I quite like them.
It's a Bank Holiday weekend but I'm going to be in the workshop every day.

"I'm In". Somerset Life Magazine......

As a Part of Somerset Art Weeks I am in the

Somerset Life Magazine this month.

I've never been in a magazine before.

I'll put the article up here once Marion gets home

I would like her to see it first.

As she has been the main reason I have been able to get this far.

Potters On TV !!

When was the last time you saw a Television Programme

about Pottery and Potters ?

A proper one I mean !

not just some presenter messing around on a wheel for five minuets.

( The Craft of the Potter) circa 1976

I remember this as being both informative and great to watch

but my lasting memory of it was that it was a tad elitist.

So many people are interested in pottery

I firmly believe that there is a gap in the market for a TV programme about Potters

and I intend to make it.

With he help of Marion's Son Nathan.

You may remember that earlier in the year we did some filming.

Well here is an attachment to an edited version of the filming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jlfuUiXkEM

At the Moment we have Two well known potters that have agreed to be in the programme and I have one or two still to ask.

The filming will be in High Definition as Nathan believes this is the way forward for such programmes.

we still have a long way to go yet but the momentum is building

watch this space !

If you would be interested you can always email me

paulthepotter@btinternet.com

Wedging Techniques......

I tried a bit of Bulls Head Wedging today

That seemed to go fine as you can see.

But I was going to make some tall jugs with long necks

so I tried a new Technique

"Giraffe head wedging"

Seemed to work
I never did get around to making those tall jugs
Maybe tomorrow.

Ron Was Here - Honest ...

Ron, Sarah and Doug came on up to Barrington on Thursday afternoon.

I have no pictures to prove it but they did Honest!

It was a beautiful sunny day, we had lunch in our back garden

then went down to the workshop

and we had a look around Barrington Court and the Gardens.

Where Doug revealed a hidden talent.

He knew the names of most of the plants in the garden.

Obviously a man with Green fingers when there not covered in clay.

I managed to take these pictures of Ivy growing over the windows in the Court House.
We then went to the local pub and tasted the local beers
followed by a nice pub meal in the Duke of York.

Friday Morning and we popped over to see John Leach

I noticed my jug was still hanging on the beam above John's wheel, judging by the dust on it it's been there since April.

This last shot made me realise my workshop is missing two vital ingredients

The towel hanging device is a great Idea.

and for recreational purposes a dart board is a must.

I didn't manage to take one picture of Ron , Sarah or Doug.

But when we took Ron to the train station he said that he had taken 457 pictures

over the past 5 days.

so no doubt a few mug shots will be appearing on Ron's blog

in the near future.

Soup Bowl Success

These new chaps came out of the kiln on Monday Morning

They are proving to be a great success in the showroom
I sold a set of four yesterday

The all green ones are slightly smaller than the ones with the

white slip on the inside.

All we need now is some of Marion's home made soup

and some fresh crusty bread.

This was the rest of the firing.

Exciting Workshop News !!!!!

Over the past two months I have been involved in discussions

with the property Manager for this area of the National Trust.

They have ambitious long term plans for the development of the

Barrington Court Farm Buildings.

I had been putting my case forward to be a part of these plans.

I am asked on a weekly basis if I do lessons,

but I just don't have the space in my current workshop.

I currently occupy two bays at the book sales end of the building

But we have just agreed that I will move into the other end of the building

occupying an area of five bays.

Thus giving me the room to offer a range of Lessons and Taster sessions.

some of which will be held in conjunction with the National Trust.

This is what the building looks like inside at the moment.

It's so light and has a great feel about it.

Perfect for a pottery workshop and showroom.

See even the local birds think it's homely.
This is a very exciting development for us and we are really looking forward to the challenge.
There is a lot to do yet to finalise it all, but Our friends in the Village have been
great even offering to come and help us turn it into workable space.
You may have all been in a alcoholic haze at the time at David's Excellent 70th
Birthday Party on Saturday Night. But I've remembered every
one of you that offered to paint, sand, sweep and clean.

Have You Seen Ron Yet ?

As I walked around Art in clay

all everyone was saying was

" Have you seen Ron yet ?" We finally meet up

Blue Jeans are obviously the trouser of choice for the discerning potter

at the moment.

and if you look closely in Ron's bag all he had bought was what looked like a Pizza.

There is so much good stuff going on at the moment

I will put it all on separate posts over the next few days.

Slipware Soup Bowls

I'm quite sure I'm not the only Potter

who See's a shape that they like whilst making another pot.

Does that make sense ?

What I am trying to say is that while I have been throwing cereal bowls

using 1.5 lbs of clay, Half way through the process I could see another shape that every time I caught sight of it made me think " that would make a great soup bowl shape".

But I couldn't make it because 1.5 lbs of clay was going to make it too big.

I have had this image in my mind for a few months now

but I wasn't sure if I should put some kind of handle on them.

Then last week I was talking to Marion in the kitchen about my idea

and my "to handle or not to handle" predicament.

and all she said was

" why don't you just put a little lug on it ?"

It was like a bolt of lightening

as soon as Marion said it I could visualise the finished pot

and here it is.

To my mind without the lugs it would be just a small bowl

but with the lugs it just shouts out

"I'M A SOUP BOWL"