Songbirds and sunlight!
Look at the Bay!
Hi there pottery friends!
Now that we're into March, seasonally, it feels like we've turned a corner on the calendar!
Hearing the joy of the songbirds and seeing the sunlight streaming through my studio door window, whilst I'm sitting at my potter's wheel, brings an expectancy of springtime with renewed hope and vigour.
I've been experimenting with a different clay recently—A white stoneware, exploring just how different it is to the red high fired earthenware.
Still in the process, I'm about to discover how this white clay (below) responds to the glazes at a higher temperature.
I'm so looking forward to comparing the red earthenware to the white stoneware after final glazing!
The temperatures in the kiln make all the difference to the colours of the glazes.
Which is where patient anticipation and intuition comes into play.
Knowing when a firing is complete and it's the right time to turn off the kiln really is an art!
An art which is not always easy, because I have a basic electric kiln at the moment that doesn't have a digital thermometer.
Instead I use temperature cones…
And I place these in front of the viewing space by the door. That way I'm able to see how hot the kiln is, by the condition and how much the cones bend when they reach the right temperature.
Which of course is pretty hot between 1200°C — 1240°C especially when you're bending down and peeking into this red hot kiln!
Still, it's always worth it. And the anticipation of seeing the new pots is always a mixture of excitement and nerves!
We shall see where the white verses red challenge takes us!
A date for your diary...
Next month I'll be preparing for my first Morecambe Bay Pottery market stall on Saturday 18th April 2026...
Yay!
Do pop by and say hello if you're in the area.
And have a look at the latest collection of pottery on sale this springtime.
With love,
Abi
PS Here's looking North with the Bay tide low this morning at 7:00am.
Crisp, fresh air and misty hills full of anticipation :)
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