ClayCraft #54
ClayCraft magazine is a must-have for ceramic enthusiasts, packed with fun and inspirational pottery projects for all levels. A monthly subscription of ClayCraft magazine offers an exciting mix of information and inspiration on the world of ceramics, with practical step-by-step projects, essential clay choice and design tips, as well as interviews with individual pottery makers. Whether you are a beginner to the world of pottery, a student or a professional, ClayCraft magazine is an essential read for makers at any level. Inside every issue, you’ll find advice for pottery novices who are brand new to the world of ceramics, tips for intermediate makers looking to improve their skills and challenging projects for the professional clay makers out there. If you’re looking for a ceramics magazine that combines inspiration and information on the popular world of clay making, then ClayCraft magazine is the perfect read for you.
dans ce numéro
welcome
It was nice to read about Doug and Hannah being back out and about again, and showing at two of the Potfest shows (see Doug's Diary, p70). Jacqui Atkin, who does all of our handbuilding projects, had a stand at Potfest in the Park, where she debuted a new body of work, inspired by mid-century textiles and wallpapers. She said: “I’ve been spurred into experimentation by the work I do for the magazine. It stretches me to do things I wouldn’t normally do, which is exciting and generates new ideas for my own work.” We chatted about how the show had been for her, and she was pleased to report that her presence there had led to sales from one of the galleries that stock her work. I’m very aware that…
venue change for 2021 bcb
The British Ceramics Biennial moves to Swift House in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent for the 2021 festival. Since 2011, the China Hall of the original Spode factory site, owned by Stoke City Council, has been home to the British Ceramics Biennial (BCB). Stoke City Council has secured significant investment for the ongoing regeneration of both the China Hall and other buildings at Spode. Following the most recent surveys of the site, some new structural safety concerns have been identified in China Hall, and as a result, the space can’t be used as a festival venue for 2021. The BCB and Stoke-on-Trent City Council have been working to find an alternative venue and can now confirm that Swift House in the heart of the city will be the main festival hub for BCB…
new exhibition
Hove Museum & Art Gallery has reopened with a fascinating new collection of work. ‘Mantelpiece Observations’ presents a new commission by Richard Slee, and consists of a series of objects and installations inspired by Mass Observation’s 1937 Mantelpiece Reports. The Mass Observation Project (MO) was a pioneering social research organisation in the 1930s, that aimed to document everyday life in Britain. Its first initiative, the Mantelpiece Directive, invited its national panel of volunteers to share what was on their mantelpieces. The resulting reports demonstrate how the seemingly insignificant objects in our homes are, in fact, full of meaning, and led the organisation to conclude that we are what we live with. Slee has an interest in the everyday, the domestic and the kind of objects that might be seen displayed on the…
spotted on facebook
Penny Simpson will be moving out of her workshop in Moretonhampstead, Devon at the end of October and is offering the opportunity for another potter (or craftsperson) to take over the workshop and showroom, established as a good making and selling space for the last 25+ years. The generous space has a workshop, office and toilet on the first floor and a showroom and store-room on the ground floor. There are two old electric kilns in working order and a wheel. Penny is also offering to help whoever takes over. For details, contact Penny at: penny@pennysimpsonceramics.co.uk…
thrown two-part bottle form
You will need: 900g (2lb) clay for body 115g (¼lb) clay for each neck shown – clay can be earthenware or stoneware, white or coloured, as preferred Tools for throwing – water bowl, sponge including a version on a stick, cutting wire, batts, ribs – wooden and metal Surface decoration as preferred Before you begin: A reminder when throwing – to save wordy repetition! Always compress the clay at the rim after each lift. Gently pinch the rim between your fingers and thumb, at the same time resting the forefinger of your other hand on the rim and applying gentle pressure Prepare the larger weight of clay by kneading it well to remove any possible trapped air, then form it into a rough cone shape. Throw a pad for a batt, then fix the batt…
linda bloomfield strontium in glazes
I recently visited Strontian, a village in western Scotland where strontium was first discovered. It is the only place in Britain to have an element named after it. In the late 1780s, a pale green, crystalline mineral was found in a lead mine in Strontian. The mineral was named strontianite and was later found to contain a new element, strontium. The name comes from the Gaelic Sron ant-Sithein, meaning the point of the fairy hill. The track up the hill to the old lead mine goes through an ancient moss and lichen-covered oak wood, with mossy roots and boulders where you can imagine fairies living, although when I went, there were malevolent fairies in the form of horse flies. Strontium carbonate is used to make matt glazes. The strontium forms crystals…
