Just for Kids
A fabulous exhibition opened on Saturday at the Bilston Craft Gallery in Wolverhampton. The show 'Just for kids', features items produced especially for babies and children, and runs until the 6th of February 2010.
I was asked to provide a couple of nursery rhyme inspired clay workshops for visitors to book into on the opening day. For more details, visit www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bilston 
A couple of punters, faces painted and ready to pot!
Birthday Bonanza!
I just made it back in time from the Brickworks to host Owen's pottery birthday party! Here birthday boy Owen displays his pop-star tortoise, whilst his sister puts the finishing touches to her 'mountain'.
Party goer Evie shows off her rabbit and carrot.
Another day, another party...this time I hurtled back from workshop duties in Wolverhampton, to help Lily and her friends celebrate her 9th birthday. Terracotta nightlights were the order of the day. All the guests took a turn on the wheel and made coiled lanterns.
Packed up and ready to roll!
I visited Coleford Brick and tile company for the fourth time on Friday. Three whopper pots of mine had come out of a reduction firing- they almost look like metal, really nice!
The pots (giant guinea pig bowls) that I'd made last week were still quite wet - testament to the damp and chilly conditions November is providing us with. I would have liked to stay longer at the factory, but had to dash back to Eastnor to lead a pottery birthday party for Owen.
Grimley Primary School Wall Panel
I spent Thursday in the company of Grimley
Primary School in Worcestershire working with all 65 children.
We produced a giant circular panel, depicting eight core, Christian values central to the schools ethos including- friendship, calm, forgiveness and that sort of thing. Each child made a tile, adding decoration, and drawing into the surface then finally painting their creation with coloured slip. Once all the pieces have been fired and glazed at the pottery, they will be returned to the school for installation. The overall effect will be of a central white dove with all the colours of the rainbow emanating
in bands towards the edge.
Palfrey and Pheasey Clocks
Clay Babies
Here's one of the youngest potters I've ever had the privilege to work with!
November Pot Throwing Weekend
Here are a few photos from the weekend potter's wheel workshop. The participants from Saturday were able to decorate their masterpieces on Sunday.
Clare used the 'Scraffito' technique to great effect, doodling flowers through the yellow slip.
John, a competent thrower and owner of a potter's wheel, came along to fine tune his skill. He produced a couple of intricate vase forms, that he took away wet to turn and finish at home.Although the hard copy of 2010 dates are currently 'at the printers', a full list of workshops is currently available on our website: www.eastnorpottery.co.uk/pages/documents/adultdatesandbookingform2010.pdf
Brick Factory - Visit Number Three
Three giant Guinea pig bowls! I have such a great time at the brickworks! The staff are brilliant, firing my pots with regularity, so, on each visit I'm able to survey a whole new batch of finished work. The pots are put into lots of different firings - depending on which type of bricks are going through production at any given time. The random firings are in keeping with the experimental nature of the residency, and I'm never quite sure how the work is going to turn out. 
Sometimes the pots are reduced, producing a fantastic, brutal grey - other occasions they have a true brick red appearance.
The 'surprise' element is both exciting and one I greatly value. This is how the clay is delivered to my workspace. 7kg clods on a pallet, on a fork lift!
