Clay at the Castle

4.30 Monday morning in the Big Chill, dismantling the tent and packing up the wheels. 9.30 am, setting up stall across the road in the Castle grounds, ready to deliver five days of workshops for their summer visitors.

Phew!

Janee's Pot

Janee, the chief organiser of the Body & Soul area said she had never done any potting on the wheel before: pull the other one Janee!

Master Potter!

It's a bit like riding a bicycle, making pots on the wheel - a very difficult skill to un-learn! Ken demonstrated this beautifully. He hadn't done any throwing since childhood, but was able to recall the technique instantly. He threw some amazing shapes and really looked the part too!

The First Group

This was my first group of participants on the Saturday! The girls each made two pots in the allotted half hour no problem or wobbles - genuine natural talent!

The Potting Tent

Friday For the third year running we've supplied clay workshops at the Big Chill. This year we were in the Body & Soul area again, inviting Big Chiller's to indulge in a bit of potter's wheel therapy.

Lottie (pictured here) proved to be a valuable and enthusiastic secretary, taking bookings and looking after clients.

Big Chill '09

Hurrah! Big Chill time of the year again - we love it! Here are a selection of photos and blog entries - and what about the weather!!! Fantastic weekend.

Zombies

Thursday - Channel Four and Warp films, made a successful attempt to break the world record for the most number of Zombie film extras in one shot. Festival goers congregated in front of the main stage, all made up as the living dead, and ready to 'star' in the film ' I Spit on Your Rave!' Noel Fielding stars in the film and led proceedings from the stage.

Our three kids certainly entered into the spirit and spent an enjoyable afternoon shredding clothes and throwing red paint at each other.....and us!

Medieval Madness

Each summer I'm lucky enough to work at Worcester Museum and Art Gallery: www.worcestercitymuseums.org.uk

This time the workshops had a medieval flavour. In the morning I worked with families - everybody having a go on the potter's wheel to make a 'Tyg' jug.

After lunch I worked with 7-12 year olds. We all made mini 'Motte and Bailey' castles using slab and coiling techniques.

One Wheel on My Wagon!

Where would I be without my trolley?! Ready for the off after a tiring but rewarding session with a children's holiday club, at Badsey First School, near Evesham.

A Feathery Tune!

There's something very musical when the swifts and swallows congrigate on the telegraph wires outside the Pottery. Each year, I always consider taking a photo of the birds but never get around to it!

Out of the Kiln

Last month Keston and her friends celebrated her 40th birthday here at the studio - here are some of the pottery results, fresh from the kiln.

Family Workshops

Angela and her daughter's took advantage of our new one and a half hour family workshop session this week...and produced these fabulous coil pots. Call 01531 633886 or e-mail admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk to book your session.

Facebook

Eastnor Pottery now has a facebook profile page, which will soon contain upcoming course dates.

Three Counties Farm Buildings

An arial view of the fantastic, collaborative farm buildings created by hundreds of children and families at the Three Counties Show in June. See Friday 26th June '09 blog for details.

Tent!

Just a few of the happy campers who attended our children's holiday workshops last week. Each child made a camping scene, complete with tent, camp fire and modelled figure. As always on these occasions imagination ran wild and some of the young potters added creative additions to their models. Giraffes, wolves, lions and crocodiles could all be seen peeping out from their brightly coloured tents.

The next children's workshops take place in the October half

term, and include a go on the potter's wheel. Please e-mail admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk, or telephone 01531633886 to reserve a place.