A giveaway (And details about my next show)

This Saturday, 17th September I'm taking part in a show with Caversham Artists and friends. It's set in the beautiful riverside gardens of Caversham Court. Drop in if you're about as there will be plenty of art to enjoy. If the weather is nice stay and enjoy some tea and cake too. Visit us from 10am to 4.30pm, postcode is RG4 7AG. 


Artists and guest artists include: Nina Krauzewicz, Mary Phelan,Charles Burns,  Therese Wicks, Matthew Hitch , Louise Spiers, Julie Simmonds, Lauren Denney, Claire Elmes, Maureen Futter and members of Pangbourne Art Group, Salvo Toscano, Caversham Globe, Debbie Page and New Directions pottery.


It's also time for a giveaway. My cupcake tea light holders are still a very popular seller and i thought I'd give you the chance to win a set. 

All you have to do is either leave a comment here, or on my Facebook page with ideas of what you might like to see me making in the next few months. Closing date is 18th September.  Keep those ideas coming, thanks for the great comments so far. 

Things to see and do

Between August 6th to 2nd September I'm taking part in a show at The Blue Duck Gallery in Caversham, Reading. There are a few other local artists taking part such as Sue Mundy, JoJo Jewellery, Cathy Newell Price and more. I'll have some of my new wall pieces on show, if you do visit let me know what you think.

I've also been busy with other things as well as setting up a new mailing list. If you want to subscribe to news then please do so here. 

I've also fallen in love with some amazing furniture, unfortunately at the moment we don't have any space to for something from Out Of The Dark but it's not going to stop me dribbling at their latest creations. You've got to check out their facebook page and see what i'm talking about. I've been to visit their workshop which is a hive of creative activity with stacks of furniture transformed by the team as well as some gems in the queue to be worked on. If you love retro/vintage then take a look immediately. 

A latest Out OF The Dark creation

Off to the workshop to catch up on some orders for the ever popular button coasters. Have  a lovely Sunday everyone. 

Henley Arts Trail 27-30th May 2011-Venue 12

It's only five days until the opening night of the Henley Arts Trail. I'm taking part with over 20 artists at venue 12 in Wargrave. I can't wait to see it all come together. I'm also ready for a big spend up myself. If you're free then please pop down to the opening event between 6pm and 9pm this Friday 27th May. Venue 12 is at Woodclyffe Hall, High Street, Wargrave, RG10 8BY. If you can't make it this Friday we are also open from 11am to 6pm on 28th, 29th and 30th May.

Here are some of the amazing things you can purchase.

Handmade Jewellery by Beady Pool.

A wonderful range of handbags, purses, accessories and baby gifts made by CoCo Crafts. 

Cute softies, as well as many other creations by Monda Loves.

Mixed media paintings and textiles from Patchwork Butterfly.  

Handmade Silver Jewellery by Jo Jo Jewellery.

I'll also be there with my range of ceramics, including my new wall pieces. Hope you can make it.

Caversham Arts Trail - 13th to 15th May

The first weekend of the Caversham Arts trail was a great success. We are very much looking forward to opening again this coming Friday 13th May until Sunday 15th May between 11am and 5pm.

You can find me and my ceramics are at Venue 7 along with jewellery by Machi de Waard and knitted textiles by Jules Hogan. Come and visit us if you get the chance, we'd love to see you. 

You can download the leaflet which includes all artists details, opening times, demonstration information and a map showing all venues here.

My ceramics

New porcelain wall art I've just finished

Jules Hogan - knitted textiles at venue 7 

Machi de Waard also at venue 7

Julie Simmonds and David Pope at venue 2

Peter Quarmby, Louise Spiers, Mary Phelan and Sonia Olaniyan at venue 1

Nicola Duncan at venue 9

 You can see more images from last week here.

If you would like to know more regarding parking, restricted access and refreshments at each of the venues please click here.


This weekend you can also enjoy the following demonstrations: basketmaking,  silverwork, chinese brush painting, spinning and weaving,  jewellery making, slip casting ceramics as well as poetry reading. See the flyer for more information.


Five of the artists participating in the Caversham Arts Trail will also be showing their work at the Reading Contemporary Art Fair on 14th and 15th May. Look out for Louise Spiers, Julie Simmonds, Charles Burns, Sonia Olaniyan and Matthew Keeler at the Caversham Artists stand. 

Arts Trail and Open Studios

It's been a busy few months organising Caversham Arts Trail as well as frantically making enough stock for the trail and other shows.

Caversham Arts Trail starts on 7th May. This year there are 32 artists at 15 venues across Caversham so it's set to be an interesting trail. Download a map here. I'm venue 7 and I've got two guests joining me, Jules Hogan and Machi de Waard. Jules makes lovely contemporary knitted textiles, cushions, hot water bottle covers, lavender hearts and more.

Machi makes silver and gold jewellery. She's got a wide range of rings, earring, cuff links and more that make great gifts as well as presents.

I'm also taking part in the West Berkshire and North Hampshire Open Studios at the same time. This means that my studio will be open for visitors on 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th and 15th May, (the same dates as CAT). As part of the WBOS there is also a group show at New Greenham Arts Centre from 7th May to 5th June called Insight. I'm really looking forward to seeing a few pieces of work from everyone on the trail.

I'll be venue 24 on the WBOS map, if you're in the area you should also visit Julie Simmonds who is venue 70, Nina Krauzewicz at venue 46, Charles Burns, Gloria Pitt and Anne Websiter at venue 19.

And if that isn't enough i'll also be at venue 12 on the Henley Arts Trail from 28th to 30th May.

In June I'll mostly be resting!

Updates

 I've been busy working on some new designs. I wanted to create some wall art so I've been experimenting with leaves in frames. The ones on the left are cast from a real leaf I took a mould of and the ones on the right are stylised leaves. They are both porcelain but the cast ones are very thin, just a millimetre or so and the others rolled out porcelain clay so they are about 5 millimetres thick.

These are the new coasters I've been working on. Only have one set of green finished but there are a few drying out ready to be fired next week so I'll be selling other colours soon.

These are slip cast porcelain tea light holders that I am also busy making. The kiln is packed full of them as I type and they will be ready to be listed in my shops in the next week. I'm starting to love working with porcelain but still sticking with earthenware too for now. 

This is my next job, there are about 60 coasters here that I've got to tidy up before firing. It's a repetitive job but strangely satisfying once it's complete.

The Third Thursday Event with Caversham Artists

I'm very excited to be taking part in my first show of the year on Thursday 17th February. If you're in Reading town then come down and see us from 5.30pm to 9pm. 

As part of the Third Thursday events  for one evening only the shop windows will come alive.  You will see demonstrations from Caversham Artists, have the opportunity to talk to the artists and purchase the art work on show. This all takes place in the surroundings of Kings Walk and is sponsored by London and County.

We will also be open for two extra days on 19th and 26th February where you can also view and purchase the art work on show. 

There will be musical entertainment, and wine tasting from Award Winning local Organic Wine Merchant, Vintage Roots.  The Third Thursday team will be on hand to talk about the partnership project between Reading UK CIC, Jelly and the future arts events.

For more information on the Caversham Artists, see  www.cavershamartists.co.uk.

For more information on Third Thursdays click here.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fun time and is back on track. 

I've just about recovered from Christmas and ready to face the world. I'm very excited to be taking part in the Caversham Arts Trail, the West Berkshire and North Hampshire Open Studios and The Henley Arts Trail this coming May. Opening times and dates are on my website. Check my back here or my website for details of other events that I be will taking part in that are still being finalised. 

I've had the standard post Christmas clear out and made some extra space in our kitchen cupboards. Although my other half thinks that the space is good and doesn't necessarily need to be filled up with something else I've got different ideas! I took my Nan to the fabulous Sue Ryder charity sale near us and purchased this little lot (except the coffee pot)  for £13, she made me do it!!  I was really only looking for two tureens but they wouldn't split the set and seeing as I already had the coffee pot, new cupboard space and a few dinner parties planned I thought it was a deal not to be missed. 

This has also inspired me to get on with planning my new body of work. I'm keen to start making some wall pieces as well as more patterned pieces and must use the black glazes that I've had stored away for about 3 years. But first I must complete my tax return, i will not leave it until the last minute. 

Last Friday I went to my first private view of the year which was Vintage and Vantage. Louise of Kitsch-en-sync is showing many of her decoupaged pieces and Joanne is showing her photography. They've also collaborated on a piece which includes Joanne's images of WOMAD printed on fabric being used on a lampshade that Louise has put together. Lucky for you the fabulous show is still on until 27th January at the Peacock Gallery.