Taking a Working Rest

This is the last message for a couple of weeks, as tomorrow I am off to Corfe Castle with the Ancient Wessex Network until 28th July.
I have been going there for many years for a working holiday. We camp in the castle and demonstrate our skills and attempt to sell all manner of things to the thousands of tourists.
I'll miss my family and some of the comforts of modern life, but happily leave most of them behind.

Check out details of the event at
www.ancientwessex.net/venue.php?venue_id=253

Mud Pies

I have been playing Mud Pies again over the last few days. Trying different methods of preparing clay dug locally - in particular removing the larger bits of grit which damage the pots by expanding as they break down, strangely after the firing is over and they take in water from the air.
Anyway - in the spirit of experimental archaeology I put some of the wet clay in a sacking bag and squeezed it so the clay oozed through the weaving, hopefully leaving the grit trapped in the bag. Then the clay is spread out in the sun to dry out a bit before being wrapped up ready for use after a bit of wedging to mix the hard and soft lumps together, plus adding some sand, grog and maybe other clays.

A busy few days now, the last pottery classes of the term are an excuse for Raku firings with a party atmosphere.

Back Inspired

Back from the International Ceramics Festival. A brilliant event to recharge the enthusiasm and get inspired.
I have got to keep some of the ideas ticking over and try my own take on some of the processes demonstrated.
Need more sleep after the long drives.
See stuff on the Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/ICFAberystwyth

Inspiration

I am off to the ICF in Wales tomorrow, for a big dose of inspiration. Two years ago I found the event really uplifting - with a great blend of practical activities to watch and brilliant potters demonstrating and talking about their processes.
I am particularly looking forward to meeting Joe Finch, who will be building kilns - he did the design for the fast-fire wood kiln that I have built.
I expect to come back with more enthusiasm than ever to create better ceramics and insights into how other potters thrive.
www.internationalceramicsfestival.org

Letting Go

I'm off on my travels over the next couple of weekends, this one to celebrate my wife's birthday on Dartmoor with our daughters and the next at the International Ceramic Festival in west Wales.
Meanwhile the Ancient Wessex Network team are doing their thing, hosted by the National Trust at Max Gate in Dorchester. I am sure they will manage very well without me!
We have a busy time with the network this summer, which I am really looking forward to.
News just in is that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a large grant to the local South Dorset Ridgeway AONB project over the next 5 years. I hope I can help them achieve their aims to promote the area and educate the visitors.

Archive Hour

I've just finished publishing the archive webpage for the recent wood firing. That is a time for reflexion and consideration "in the cold light of day" - after a period of handling the results while cleaning them up and then taking the photographs and preparing them for the internet.
Laurence and I are very happy with the pots and have just about caught up on some sleep.
Take a look at the archive at this link.


I spent the day at the Upwey Hall, making some more Iron Age replicas for the Hengistbury project and keeping an eye on Laurence and his fellow exhibitors during their first exhibition as young emerging artists. It was great to see their enthusiasm and vitality, both through their work and their attitudes. I look forward to seeing them all develop.

Open All Hours

Fired and opened the wood kiln over the last few days and nights. With some great results.
Heavily reduced toasted surfaces and brilliant ash flecks on the pale glazes.
Now for some catching up with sleep.