Innehållsförteckning för #58 från ClayCraft

Welcome The run-up to Christmas is a busy time for everyone, but probably more so for makers, when they start to see the results of months of work pay off as sales begin to peak. Whether you have an online or bricks and mortar store, sell via markets and fairs, or you only make presents for your friends and family, planning is a vital part of the process. Making, firing and glazing your work to stockpile enough pieces to meet customer demand or for the people you want to give things to, all take time. It only needs one thing to go wrong for everything to be put in jeopardy. A firing can fail, or your power can go off(yes, we’re looking at you, Arwen), you could have supply issues…

PROJECT FOUR POLAR BEAR SCULPTURE PART 3 In the final part of this build, we make the figure of the girl, attach the bear to the base and apply some simple decoration DIFFICULTY RATING YOU WILL NEED: ■ Paper clay as used in the previous issues for the main build ■ Rolling pin, 5mm thick roller guides, plastic sheet ■ Dowel, newspaper ■ A selection of underglazes ■ A selection of brushes ■ Dust mask Working on the plastic sheet and using your roller guides, roll a small slab of clay to make the figure. Cut the top end of the slab in a straight line, then loosely roll it around the paper-covered dowel so that it’s slightly wider at one end than the other. Cut away the surplus slab allowing…

Confessions of a novice A CATCH-UP WITH THE GANG – PART 2 As filming has just come to an end for the latest season of The Great Pottery Throw Down, we continue our catch-up with the participants from the last season Lee I applied for the Throw Down having already discovered my love of clay and a thirst to learn all I could about ceramics. I was doing this independently, through the use of social media, in my basement studio in Huddersfield, but the most memorable thing I discovered while on the show was my need for community, which since the show, has grown immeasurably! From the moment I went home, I felt the loss of the other potters, so when Sally told me about her up-and-coming studio, I asked…

PROJECT ONE THROWN GRAVY/SAUCE BOAT I think a gravy or sauce boat is for special occasions, so make this stylish version and glaze it to co-ordinate with the rest of your dinnerware DIFFICULTY RATING You will need: ■ Clay of choice – earthenware or stoneware. Approximately 511g (1lb 2oz) for a mediumsized boat, plus extra for the spout and handle ■ Tools for throwing, water bowl, sponge, cutting wire, ribs ■ Turning tools of choice ■ Rolling pin (plus roller guides if preferred) ■ Template for spout ■ Texture of choice – lace/vinyl wallpaper, etc ■ Glaze to suit clay type Before you begin: This can be thrown directly on the wheel head because it’s relatively easy to lift off. However, if you prefer to throw on a batt, instructions…

SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Subscribe to Clay Craft & SAVE 42%! PAY JUST £10 FOR 3 ISSUES! Join us for step-by-step makes, tips and inspiration. Inside every issue of ClayCraft you’ll find practical hands-on guides to our projects – throwing and hand-building; Linda Bloomfield’s regular feature on glazes, and Doug Fitch’s diary column. Other features include established potters, suppliers and studios, and you can find local courses in our comprehensive listing. Save money by subscribing today! Rachel Editor Terms & conditions: Direct debit offer available to new UK subscribers only. You will pay £10.00 for 3 issues, then £27.99 for 6 months. For overseas subscriptions please visit shop.kelsey.o.uk/CRA Savings are based on the standard cover price of £5.75. Offer ends 31st March 2022. Your subscription will start with the next available issue and you…

COURSES Do you run a course that you’d like to see here? Email claycraft.ed@kelsey.co.uk for free inclusion in our listing SCOTLAND STEF BAXTER POTTERY Courses: Handbuilding & throwing day class drop-in. Night and weekend classes. 1-1 tuition & Raku classes. Suitable for all levels. Open access coming. Dates: see website Location; Govan, Glasgow stefbaxterpottery.com CLAY WORKS STUDIO Courses: All levels from beginners to intermediate. Taster courses, general pottery and throwing courses. Open access facility for more advanced makers coming soon Dates: See website Location: Dumfries & Galloway clayworksstudios.co.uk DUNDEE CERAMICS WORKSHOP Courses: Classes for all levels from beginner to intermediate, for individuals and groups. 1-1 tuition available. Open studio access and kiln hire for members Dates: Throughout the year (see website) Location: Dundee dundeeceramicsworkshop.com FORGAN ARTS CENTRE Courses: All levels…

CLAY CRESCENDO On Friday 12th November, St Ives' iconic institution, Leach Pottery held its official preview of Leach 100 works. The team launched its Clay and Community Exhibition, showcasing a range of ceramic pieces created by the wider community during the Leach 100 period and the works crafted by its Leach 100 commissioned artists and Hyosun Kim, Leach 100 Artist in Residence. These form the largest on-site celebration of Leach 100 since the centenary campaign began in 2020. Leach 100 has been an extended programme (two years' worth) of events celebrating 100 years since the foundation of the Leach Pottery by friends and colleagues Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada. Throughout this period, the Leach Pottery has worked to honour this significant milestone in the Pottery's history through a comprehensive programme…

LINDA BLOOMFIELD GLAZE BASICS: MATERIALS AND PREPARATION Linda Bloomfield is a scientist turned potter. More glaze recipes can be found in her books, Advanced Pottery (2011), Colour in Glazes (A&C Black 2012), The Handbook of Glaze Recipes (Bloomsbury 2014) and Science for Potters (The American Ceramic Society 2017). Her new book Special Effect Glazes, and the second edition of Colour in Glazes are both out now. Linda has recently launched her online glazing course, How Glazes Work, on her website: lindabloomfield.co.uk This month I will be going back to the basics of how to make a glaze from scratch. The first part will take you through the materials and preparation, then next month, I will cover how to make the glaze. There are many advantages of making glazes yourself rather…

ORDER OUR NEXT ISSUE TODAY AND GET FREE DELIVERY ISSUE 59 ON SALE 21 JANUARY DON'T MISS OUT! PAY THE NORMAL SHOP PRICE* AND GET THE NEXT ISSUE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR. ORDER TODAY! Order online at SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/ CC59 Call now on 01959 543747** Quote ref: CC59 Terms and conditions apply. You should receive your copy on or around 21 January. *Delivery is included in the cover price for UK customers only. An additional £1 will be added to any overseas addresses. **Lines open Mon-Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm. Calls charged at your standard network rate. Front cover for illustration purposes and subject to change.…

Doug’s DIARY (Photo: Layton Thompson) November draws to a close, and I’m sitting here by candlelight, writing this diary, with my long-unpractised, illegible handwriting. Storm Arwyn ripped through the countryside four days ago, taking with it many beautiful old trees, Hannah’s gardening gloves and our electricity supply. My middle son, Joe, and his partner Kayleigh arrived at our cold, dark house a couple of days ago to visit for a short break. No power, on top of a still undrinkable water supply and a leaky roof. I thought they might have regretted their decision to visit, but they are up for the adventure and Pippin and Fred are so excited to see their big brother and ‘sister’. The devastation of the storm has put the lights out across the region, and…