Reveal - A Christmas showcase of handmade craft: 25 - 28 November 2010 & 2-5 December 2010

Reveal starts from 5pm to 8pm this Thursday 25th November at The Old Fire Station Gallery, Henley on Thames, RG9 2AQ. This is the first of two shows and will continue to be open between 10am to 5pm from 25th to 28th November. 

Reveal showcases the work of 28 local artists, each producing quality handmade distinctive and bespoke Christmas gifts.

If you can't make the first show there will be a different range of equally high quality Christmas gifts for sale from 2nd to 5th December at the second show. Please join us for the private view of the second show between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday 2nd December. There will be wine and nibbles as well as the opportunity to chat to the participating artists. 

All major credit and debit cards are accepted.  See www.revealshowcase.com for further information and a preview of the fabulous gifts that will be on sale. 

What a busy few months!

Life has been pretty hectic lately and there is no sign of it calming down any time soon. I suppose really I love this time of year and should make the most of being so busy. After Christmas we sure are going to need a holiday, unless the snow keeps us stuck at home again.

A month ago we went to visit some friends in Newquay and spend one night of luxury in at the Scarlet Hotel, in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall. It's a luxury eco hotel for adults only, and luxury it was. On arrival you walk into a open foyer with an amazing view over the beach, as soon as we stepped in we knew we would love our stay.

The highlight of our stay has to be the wood fired hot tubs that over look the ocean. We watched the sun set tucked up in a seaweed scarlet hot tub for two with a bottle of champagne beer. Our room was lush, we had a view over the ocean and we had the best nights sleep ever.





The indoor and out door pools over looking the beach, bliss!



I could go on and on about how great the Scarlet was, lovely food, fabulous surroundings, great art and a wonderfully relaxing place to be. Check out their website and facebook page, they have a spa, natural outdoor pool, indoor pool, hot tubs for two, locally sourced food, a library and more. If there is one thing you should do in the next year it should be to visit the Scarlet.

While I drift in and out of the relaxing memories from The Scarlet I'm making new work like crazy. I sold loads at the South Hill Park craft fair last weekend and it's only 6 days until the first show of Reveal so I'm working day and night to get new pieces made. My little acorns were very popular, I'll be shaking the oak tree all weekend to get some more down.

Folksy Friday - Ceramic Christmas gifts

As Christmas is getting near I've been searching on Folksy for some gifts and realised what a wonderful range of lovely handmade items there are. I can't feature everyone who i would like and have chosen a ceramic theme of items to share with you. Click the links below to go direct to each shop.

Top row from left to right: Oil Decanter by JML Pottery, Waterlily Dish by Prince Design UK, Robot Mug by Julia Davey Ceramics.
Middle row: Plant Markers by Little Brick House, Wellie Boots by Caroline Nash Crafts,  Cupcake Tea Light Holders by Me/ Lauren Ceramics.

Bottom row: Gold Plated Ring made from Grandma’s old plate by I can't remember my gramdma's name,  'Mistletoe and Wine' Christmas Sign by Cherry Pie Lane, Raku Bowl by Jude Allman 

Stones and pebbles

I've been busy trying out some new ideas and this is a sneak preview of one of them. The texture of this pot matches that of the most popular design of  coasters I make.  It reminds me of pebbles so I thought I'd share some of my favourite pieces that fit in with the pebble / stone theme.

 Sea View Cushion by Petal Textiles.

 Beach pebbles print by Emele Photography

Argyll bracelet by Fyne Silver

Felt Soaps by Heidi Cooper

Seaglass and pebble pendant on silver ring by Jillyflower Jewellery

and i know you're probably wondering how is this cushion related to stones or pebbles......think about it, paper, scissors, stone!

'Stone' Paper, scissors, Stone cushion by Sixes and Sevens

Luckily for you all of these lovely handmade items are available to buy on Folksy.com.

check out the Reveal blog meet the maker article.

Over the next few months in the run up to Reveal there will be interviews with some of  the exhibitors taking part.  The first meet the maker article is with Lousie Barter from Secret Garden Studio. Check out the Reveal blog here.

 Orchids by Secret Garden Studio

Ballerina by Secret Garden Studio



Highlights from the weekend

Last weekend was a busy one. I was taking part in a show with Caversham Artists over the weekend so spent some time there with so much lovely art work. Here is a snippet of the weekend, you can see more here.

I'm second from the left, you should be able to tell from the vase I'm holding!

I also managed to make a few new moulds, this one should be dry this week so I can start casting from it. I've also take photos of it at various stages so I'll post them soon as people are always asking how the moulds are made. This is a textured beaker, vase and matching coasters to follow.

I was very chuffed as I sold the first large jelly mould dish last weekend too. I've got a few more to glaze so once they are finished they will be listed in my shops.

Caversham Artists Autumn Show 18th & 19th September 2010

You are invited to the Caversham Artists Autumn Show taking place this coming weekend, 18th & 19th September 2010. The show is taking place in a beautiful 17th Century Barn tucked away in Emmer Green. The show is open from 11am -6pm Saturday and 12pm - 6pm Sunday. See the website for further details.

Wokingham Arts Trail

This weekend (11 & 12 September) the first ever Wokingham Arts Trail is taking place. You can visit 12 locations in and around Wokingham to see & buy art created by 27 local artists. Venues include homes, studios and temporary art spaces. See the website for more details and to download a leaflet with map.

I'm not taking part but will be visiting and possibly even spending some hard cash!

Work in progresss

I've been thinking about Christmas lately and have been making these baubles as well dishes that stack inside each other.

I've also finished some new coloured coasters too. It's so exciting trying out new colours and textures but frustrating having to wait for two days for my kiln to fire and cool down before i can open it. I'm always tempted to have a quick look before it's cooled down enough, I'm sure one day I'll singe my eye lashes opening it too soon.

Blue Button Coasters

A while ago I posted some photos of some new round button coasters that I'd just made. I've now glazed them and listed them in my shops. These are denim blue and the next batch due out of the kiln will be green. There are also a few other patterns and new colours too which will be launched for Christmas.

They will withstand the heat from your hot winter drinks, they have four rubber feet on the underside to stop them slipping or marking surfaces.

Time to start making Christmas decorations now or it'll be Christmas before i know it.

Caversham Artists Autumn Show

I've been working to finish a few things for my next show with the Caversham Artists. See flyer below for more information and come along if you are free. Our show is taking place in a wonderful artists studio barn in Emmer Green, there will be a range of art and craft to view and buy if you fancy it.

You can keep up to date with news from Caversham Artists on their website, facebook group or twitter.

Things are happening

I tried some felt making at our venue at Bucks Open Studios last weekend, it was fab. This is my creation, a felt bowl. I loved making it and I am super pleased with the result.

I've also been making some new coasters, buttons and brooches with a button pattern. They are quite cute, I like the round ones lots.

It's been a busy week, I also won an advert on I Love Handmade that showcases beautiful handmade products from around the world, check it out. I am proud to say I've been featured on it before too.

Bucks Open Studios 2010

This weekend (19th & 20th June) I will be at Bucks Open Studios at the Pugin Rooms, St. Peter's Church, Marlow, SL7 1NQ. There are 11 artists at our venue with a wonderful range of glass, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and more. It's th 25th anniversary of the Bucks Open Studios so come along and help us celebrate.

Here is a taster of what is on show at the Pugin Rooms.

Glass by Julia Hayward.
3D Sculptures and more by Oenone

and a range of ceramics made by me!

We hope to see you there.

The Henley Arts Trail 2010

On Friday we went to the private view of venue 13 of the Henley Arts Trail. There was so much lovely handmade work there I had to treat myself to a few things.

I'd seen this on Beady Pool's facebook page a few weeks ago and rather liked it so I quickly snapped it up. I did have mine adapted slightly so it doesn't have the silver heart.



I also bought two of these cute badges from Sumptuosity, I'll be wearing one out today.

I couldn't reist these fab melamine on oak coasters from Kate & Anna. They've finally added some colour to our white living room. They have a fab pic and mix idea, the only trouble is it takes ages to decide which combination to have.

Yesterday we also visited seven venues during the day, my favourites were venue 13, 9 and 11. Check out Wendy Penrose at venue 11, a fab mixture of makers at venue 9 and Jo Jo Jewellery, Beady Pool, Patchwork Butterfly, Ellen Brown, Kate & Anna, Penny Spooner and more at venue 13.

Henley Arts Trail 29-31 May 2010

Henley Arts Trail starts this weekend with 20 venues open during the bank holiday weekend. You can download a handy map from the website that shows the venues and gives opening times, check these first as they can vary.

Here is a little preview to tickle your taste buds.

Hand-made lampwork glass beads by Beady Pool.


Felted necklaces & bracelets by Ellen Brown.

Hand embroidered cushion by Patchwork Butterfly.

Caversham Arts Trail 15 & 16 May 2010

It's the last weekend of the Caversham Arts Trail this weekend. All venues are open from 11am to 5pm. There will be demonstrations to watch and events to take part in over the weekend. See the website for details.

Here are a few photos from last weekend, fingers crossed for sun this Saturday and Sunday please.

See the website to download a map. See you there!

Elephant spotting!

I've been elephant spotting today. Has anyone else seen the decorated elephants that aim to raise support for the Asian elephant, which is threatened with extinction?

I only saw two and could only photograph one as there was a dude sitting on the other one which would have ruined the photo, I wish I had asked him to move now.

This one was amazing, it had lots of little circular mirrors on it. Can't wait to see more on Monday when I'm back in London.

Check out the website which has a handy map of their locations.

Caversham Arts Trail

It is less than a week until the first Caversham Arts Trail starts and I've been busy cleaning my studio ready for visitors. I think I may have cleaned it too much so I'm going to have to make a few things this week or it will look like I don't really use it.

The Caversham Arts Trail starts on Saturday 8th May and continues on Sunday 9th May, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th May. All venues are open from 11am to 5pm. Please pop along to any venues you can, I'll be at venue 5 along with Machi of Magpienest. We will also be having join in sessions to make pottery and jewellery, check the website for details of demonstrations and events throughout the trail.

You can download the map here. Here is a little snippet of work from the artists on the trail, see more on the Caversham Arts Trail website.

Don't forget that it's also the West Berkshire and North Hampshire open studios from 1st to 30th May. This year Charles Burns who is also taking part in the Caversham Open Studios is also part of the West Berkshire and North Hampshire open studios, you can see the days that you can visit his studio here, you won't be disappointed!

Glazing.......

It's been a busy weekend of glazing. Glazed 160 of these little beauties today! Also trying out some new glazes, in two days I'll get to see the outcome, can't wait.

Listed some dishes in my NOTHS shop and my folksy shop. Look out for new glazes coming soon.

Look what i found in my kiln!

There is nothing more exciting than opening the door to the kiln to see what treasures it holds. I hate having to wait for two days for it to cool down but it's usually worth it.

I've been trying out some new designs that will be for sale at the Oxford Literary Festival on 27 & 28 March.

New dishes, available in green, white with green and blue detail and my signature off white.

New coaster design with leaf texture.

I've just take delivery of some new glazes so I will be launching some new colours soon, watch this space.

Product shots - what do you think?

I've been testing out some group shots so that I've got one image that represents my work. What do you think? I'm not a trained photographer and sometime take hundreds of shots before getting the right one. I've tried out lots of different angles, as well as different items in the shot and finally think I've got something I'm happy with.

I prefer this image out of the two shown here. It's amazing how perspective can alter a shot so much.

This one feels a little more traditional. Which one do you prefer, and have you any advice to offer?

I'm so glad I live in a digital age!