Summer in the Studio.

The last few days of summer are already here, it has been wonderful to have the warmer days in the studio these last few months. Fewer layers, cold hands and super slow pottery drying. But it has also been a really busy year of life events for my family and friends so we have spent many weekends celebrating with them and a bit less time than we should have in the studio creating. It is a tricky balance being self-employed!

If you visited me over the Spring and Summer you will see that I have been drawn to a liberal use of my white mint glaze, it is a beautiful bright colour with tonal difference depending on how thickly the gaze is applied. The second way I have been using it (which I am so in love with) is on the inside of vases. To create this the outer rim of the pot is very carefully painted with wax resist, white mint glaze is then poured into the vase swirled around to coat the inside, and then carefully poured out leaving the outer unglazed. This gives a lovely contrast of the sandy matt clay on the outside and the bright glossy white mint on the inside. You can see an example of this in the pictures below.

Cobalt blue also made an appearance this summer with my ceramic scallop shells and pomegranates, the cobalt blue pomegranates were the first thing to sell out in one of my online updates earlier this year. Hand-painted blue oranges have been a new favourite of mine also. They have joined pomegranates and will be often featured in my pottery decorations.

Now looking towards Autumn it's time to get back on the production line and stock up, it is also time for the multiple layers and jumpers to come back into daily use. If you have the chance to visit me in the studio there are some lovely pieces on the shelves and online has a very nice selection of work too.