The Big One.

The other five large platters have now been turned and decorated with slip and glaze. The last platter was the biggest and I turned it yesterday.
I thought that I had better double check the measurements, but it's o.k. The platter is 17" in diameter and the of inside of my kiln is 18"- result, happiness.

This is the biggest diameter piece I have ever made, usually when I go big, it's cylindrical, and very tall. Turning it was fine, but coming to decorate it got me a little scared. The others were big, but I think because there were five of them together I relaxed a bit more.
So I thought that I would clear my mind and clean my work surface and all my brushes.
They are a motley selection, some barely worthy of the title. The largest is perhaps the most interesting. I'm not sure of it's original use, but I can see from the marks on it that it was made by a prisoner in Wandsworth Prison in 1962. he has also carved his initials on the handle as well.
I bought it, new, from a car boot sale here in Norfolk. How it got there, who knows?
All of the twiggy ones came from Japan, from 100 Yen shops, if I'm honest. I think their original usage was supposed to be for brushing crumbs from the table. They make a lovely mark with slip or glaze though, pity it's such a long way to get replacements!
I haven't found any plants that work as well here.
The long handled radiator brush is fun to use, it reminds me of being back at college and life classes with the terrifying Val Toft.
- The excercise where you have to put the A1 paper on the floor and draw with a stick dipped in ink ? - that's what using this brush feels like.
Anyway, like this morning I am putting it off! After a few brushstrokes of slip on my desktop to practice the wrist movement, well,I just went for it.
There it is, done.

January Sunshine 2012

I have lots of shows coming up in the Spring so, despite the cold, I'm starting on some very big slip decorated platters. I want to have one of these as my exhibition piece at the taster exhibition of Norwich Open Studios www.norfolkopenstudios.co.uk

N.O.S. are very efficient and I have to determine the exact piece that I will be showing in May, by early Febuary, hence the attempt at efficiency!

Prior to Open Studios though, I am showing for a second time at "The British Craft Trade Fair " - www.bctf.co.uk from the 15th -17th of April. Looking forward to a return trip, and I won't forget a kettle this time.

Next up is "Fireworks- Ceramics and Glass" from the 11th -13th of May at Blackthorpe Barns in Rougham, Suffolk. see www.fireworksceramicsandglass.com for more details.

Rougham holds many happy (if slightly fuzzy) memories of fairs from yesteryear.

I wonder if there is anything on youtube from those times?

Hmmm. - Anyway, moving swiftly on...........

Potfest in the pens comes up next from the 4th -5th of August.

Further details at : www.potfest.co.uk/pens

This is my first time showing here, I'm really looking forward to it and to catching up with an old friend from Tokyo, Steve Tootell, whom I havn't seen since 2007 at the "Fantastic Fire " workshop that he organised in Mashiko, Japan, with Euan Craig, Steve Mills, Masakasu Kusakabe and Wali Hawes.

Art in Clay, Hatfield House August 2011

This being my second time at "Art in Clay" at Hatfield House I was a lot more relaxed than last year. Having learnt my lesson last year, I pitched my tent first, thus ensuring a good spot. Not too near the noisy students, but not too far away from the loos and showers either.

Domestics settled, I was really pleased to see that I was in almost the same spot as last year, opposite David and Margaret Frith www.frithpottery,co.uk - and just up the row from fellow East Anglian potter Robin Welsh, www.robinwelsh.co.uk - not too shabby for a temporary address!

It was also great to catch up with my I.W.C.A.T. - http:/www.japan-.net.jp/-iwcat/)
Japanese friends who had come from Tokoname, Tomoko Okuda and Peter Seabridge.
Again it was a good weekend, with the good old British weather showing it's range of skills, from tipping it down when we were setting up to absolutely broiling the very next afternoon.

Norfolk Open Studios/ Early Summer

Norfolk Open Studios.
A bit of an odd one this year, what with Burgh Apton on consecutivly. Perhaps not enough people to go round, there is only so much free time and petrol money available in these straightened times.
However, having said that, those that came to see me at the workshop were those that were specifically interested in my work and the processes involved and sales were actually up on last year, so all credit to the team at Norfolk Open Studios www.norfolkopenstudios.co.uk
Looking forward to NOS12

Spring at Salhouse.

Spring came as a welcome warmth here on the Broads, until I sat at my wheel on the 11th of March and my blood chilled as I listened to the events unfolding in Japan. My thoughts immediatly went to all of my friends in various parts around the Country.

Nature, as it will, continues regardless and I was pleased to discover that I had a birds nest in the lean-to at the back of my workshop. Eventually the eggs hatched and it was hopefully the beginning of a new nest site in a new location. I have posted some pictures.

Eventually, my human friends are now safely settled in their new home and I wish them many generations of secure nesting too.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone, it was a quiet one this year at "Cosseys Yard Ceramics". Rather more so than last new year, when I found a sleeping gentleman in my workshop on New Years morning.
However, every cloud has a silver lining, as they say, and I now have new windows that can't be kicked in by a passing drunk!
I had a busy year last year as far as shows were concerned. First up was my virgin appearance at
"The British Craft Trade Fair" in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
A good friend offerred to drive and provide moral and physical assistance so off we went. I hadn't really realised what the set up was, it was exactly like The Royal Norfolk Showground, here in Norfolk.
I had selected to stay in the on-site accommodation, which was um, a bargain price. Upon arrival, it was obvious as to quite see why- it was the stockmans accommodation when they came to show their cows. It's the only "Ladies" toilets and showers that I have ever visited that boasted a urinal!
The three days were tiring, but very rewarding and resulted in my work being available at several new gallery outlets around the Country. See my website for full details.
The evenings provided further entertainment in the form of scaling 9ft high gates to get back from the Pub!
Older and, I hope, wiser( www.bctf.co.uk) I shall return this year. But this time I will bring my own kettle!