ClayCraft #48

Welcome For the first time in what feels like forever, the sun is shining in a blue sky and I have my office window open. The scent from the wintersweet hedge outside is wafting in, and the birdsong is really quite loud! I feel very cheerful – something that has been severely lacking over the past year. Jumping ahead, next month we’re focusing on ‘spring in the garden’ and planning this was inspiring. I got excited at the thought of warmer weather, plants bursting into life out of the soil and spending more time outside. A burst of creativity is just what I needed, and watching the reactions on social media to the Throw Down, it certainly seems to have sparked just that in a lot of people. There are…

For the first time in what feels like forever, the sun is shining in a blue sky and I have my office window open. The scent from the wintersweet hedge outside is wafting in, and the birdsong is really quite loud! I feel very cheerful – something that has been severely lacking over the past year. Jumping ahead, next month we’re focusing on ‘spring in the garden’ and planning this was inspiring. I got excited at the thought of warmer weather, plants bursting into life out of the soil and spending more time outside. A burst of creativity is just what I needed, and watching the reactions on social media to the Throw Down, it certainly seems to have sparked just that in a lot of people. There are some fantastic…

IN THE NEWS NEW PRODUCTION FACILITY Valentine Clays has announced that construction is due to take place on its new production facility, which forms part of its ambitious £4m expansion plan. Nearly four years since completing its HQ, distribution and Ceramics Centre, in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, the ceramics business is excited to be starting its next expansion phase by completing a new production facility in late summer. The 1,651m2 facility will enable the company to meet the demands currently displayed within the industry and continue its growth plans. This expansion allows the company to bring its presently dispersed activities onto one single site in accordance with the long-term business plan. The new production facility intends to increase production capacity and meet the current demands of the industry with the creation of…

Valentine Clays has announced that construction is due to take place on its new production facility, which forms part of its ambitious £4m expansion plan. Nearly four years since completing its HQ, distribution and Ceramics Centre, in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, the ceramics business is excited to be starting its next expansion phase by completing a new production facility in late summer. The 1,651m2 facility will enable the company to meet the demands currently displayed within the industry and continue its growth plans. This expansion allows the company to bring its presently dispersed activities onto one single site in accordance with the long-term business plan. The new production facility intends to increase production capacity and meet the current demands of the industry with the creation of additional jobs. The facility will further add to Valentine…

STUDIO HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR POTTERS COURSE Tim Thornton is running an online course on studio health and safety, beginning on 15 February and comprising eight, weekly, one-hour live sessions (not just video recordings), plus a dedicated forum for course participants. The course covers everything you need to know to run your studio safely. The main topics covered are understanding and managing hazards and risks; identifying and managing potentially toxic or dangerous substances; the risks of dust and silica, and how to reduce them; physiological risks of wedging, throwing, lifting etc.; heat, kiln fumes and other risks of various methods of firing; safe use of wheels and other machinery; proper disposal of waste; and general good practice in the studio. For further information, and to sign up, go to:.timthornton.com/health-and-safety-for-potters…

Tim Thornton is running an online course on studio health and safety, beginning on 15 February and comprising eight, weekly, one-hour live sessions (not just video recordings), plus a dedicated forum for course participants. The course covers everything you need to know to run your studio safely. The main topics covered are understanding and managing hazards and risks; identifying and managing potentially toxic or dangerous substances; the risks of dust and silica, and how to reduce them; physiological risks of wedging, throwing, lifting etc.; heat, kiln fumes and other risks of various methods of firing; safe use of wheels and other machinery; proper disposal of waste; and general good practice in the studio. For further information, and to sign up, go to:.timthornton.com/health-and-safety-for-potters…