Hello, world, I’m back! I have emerged from the last few months of frantic potting so that I can finally update this website. If you are here because you saw me at PotFest last weekend then welcome, hello, and thank you for dropping by.
There has been radio silence on this website for the last few months as I have been preparing for the biggest event of my pottery career to date – PotFest in the Pens, at Penrith Auction Mart. It was an amazing experience, I’ve learned so much, and (two days later) I’m still recovering. (Note to self, next time, remember to take both the day after as well as the day before off!)
When I found out earlier this year that I’d been lucky enough to get a space at PotFest, I decided that I would focus my efforts for the summer and autumn purely on this one show. I knew it would the first time I’d get the space to showcase all the different styles of work I do – the perfect place to get lots of feedback. But it also meant making a lot more pots and all the elements needed to display them. So I’m afraid blog posting rather dropped off the radar while I worked on mugs and raku and big bowls – and completed my first batch of barnacle pots in a new-to-me black stoneware. Inspired by the beach at Langamull on the Isle of Mull, this new range proved so popular that I almost sold out of everything I’d made! (There will be more posts on this in coming weeks. I’m so excited to make more and develop my ideas here.)
I still can’t quite believe I’ve been to PotFest. I was really anxious to start with – after all, I was exhibiting alongside some long established and highly skilled potters. I also totally failed to sleep the night before due to a howling gale. I lay awake worrying that everything might have blown over in the night and fearing the worst. But thankfully all was where I left it, and the more time I spend with other potters, the more I realise just how supportive the pottery community is. Other people think we must compete against each other, but we really don’t, and knowledge and ideas are shared freely. Thanks to those who shared chips, tea and porcelain throwing tips, pricing and marketing suggestions, helped me keep my cloths out of the muck and took some amazing photos of my work – you all know who you are, thank you. You made me feel welcome and I hope I can reciprocate in future. And the biggest thanks to Mary Chappelhow – without whom I would not have been there at all.
Come the weekend, it will be time to turn my attention to Christmas – and the next few weeks of making. I’d really like to get some swimming mugs online before Christmas at the very least and there’s been requests for yarn bowls and more barnacles. But in the meantime, you can see my entry on the PotFest potters list online – and check out the rest of the amazing potters who came to Penrith.