january.

January is never a kind month for the northern hemisphere. The media bombards us with messages of 'ugh, it's January', as IF we need reminding that it's a miserable month. After spending this time of year in Australia for 5 or 6 years, I'd happily forgotten the post-Christmas-pre-Spring inherent dreariness. 

I was pretty perky to begin; December was great, the new year is full of potential for my work, I was happy to be back in the studio and making stacks of new pots. But then on Thursday, January smacked me in the face - 'No you may NOT be chirpy this month!'.

So I got grumpy. The relatively mild winter temperatures suddenly seeped into my bones. I missed Australia. I missed my beach. I missed nights so hot that I couldn't sleep. 

But the sun came out again today. I walked around Silverdale Glen under clear blue skies, I had a productive day of throwing and glazing in the studio and I remembered how privileged I am to have this vocation, this passion and to have a gorgeous space in which to pursue my work.

So I got over it.

Problem is, the rain is coming back tomorrow...

wednesday.

Wednesday in the studio: 

[ahh painting!]

[lunchtime walk through Bishopscourt Glen]

It was glorious.

big.

I always feel like I'm stuck making small things. I am NOT a natural thrower - it took buckets of determination to stick with the wheel for my first year, til I could finally make pots without crying!!

I ordered a half palette of clay in Autumn and thankfully it's very SOFT, which makes larger pots less scary. It's quite exciting - though I tend to pull them off the wheel and realise that *actually* they aren't that much bigger than the one before...! But it's progress at least!

[good morning!]

home.

2013 was weird. 

I thought I would live in Australia forever, the bottom fell out of my world when I was told I had to leave.

I saw my career crumbling apart, friendships torn apart. Returning home seemed to me the worst failure. 

I felt the world had ended when I came home to the island. I genuinely felt hurt. I was bruised.

But it got better. Certainly not quickly, but life did get better. I rekindled friendships long neglected since I left home 6 years ago, I saw this beautiful island through different eyes, I stopped whining about the cold (well, kind of.) and we had a warm summer - and most importantly, I realised that I needed a drastic life change to allow me to prioritise my career. 

Through a strong and generous circle of friends, I met Spud and Maree. Within 2 months they had offered to clean out a tiny woodshed and turn it into my studio. Grateful, thankful, it doesn't cover it, it doesn't even come near. They gave me a sanctuary, they sent me a lifeboat. 

This is where I'm supposed to be, now. 

I'm happy to be home.

Thank you dear followers for cheering me on - happy 2014 to you! x

plate up.

Dear kiln gods,

Please take care of these dinner plates. I'm quite proud of myself for making them and I so loved painting them - there is so much SPACE for me to paint on! I feel like a child with a whole piece of paper to draw on.

Thank you muchly.

measure.

I LOVE this bird's eye view of the kiln. This was Christmas Eve morning. A perfect firing, yay!

I've made a few measuring spoons this year, with the intention of making sets but somehow never got to it. Luckily a friend ordered a full set for her daughter's Christmas present - awesome motivation and I LOVE them. 

[spoon love]

spesh.

I've only been making and selling pots for 3 years. Sales have always been nicely steady, but I've rarely been approached for custom orders. Since returning to the island however, I've lost count of how many bespoke pieces I've made - it's lovely to see people truly thinking about how to make their gifts extra special. 

This bowl and cup set were commissioned by a friend that set me on this creative path many many years ago. They were a Christmas/wedding gift to her gorgeous partner. Her request was simply: trees and flowers. It didn't take long to develop this design and as I painted I felt SO excited, I was buzzing by the time I'd finished. 

He loved them. YAY!