Having a stand at the British Craft Trade Fair was an amazing experience. A chance to meet fellow makers, buyers, and stockists, its a great feeling being surrounded by like-minded people who have a passion for their craft and the arts. As I was located in the Newcomers section, I was surrounded by others who have little or no experience at trade fairs, yet they too were determined to make their passion into a business. Having a stand and decorating it in a way to stand out w

It has been a busy and fulfilling weekend at The Crafts in the Pen, Skipton Auction Mart. I have made many sales as well as commissions, and meeting other stall holders, overall it was very enjoyable. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to hold another stall at Skipton Auction Mart, either in the summer at Art in the Pen or returning to Crafts in the Pen in November. #2019 #skipton #skiptonauctionmart #maker #ceramics #ceramic #design #craft #christmas #stall #craftsinthepen

It has been such a busy day.. Driving TWO hours to get to Crafts in the Pen at Skipton and setting up my pen for the weekend. It is my first craft stall at an event like this and I was so nervous and excited. After a few hours of setting up I finally finished. Looking at the other stalls setting up I know it is going to be a good show. Below are a few pictures of setting up and the result. #2018 #christmas #craft #crafts #ceramics #handmade #handmadeceramics #ceramic #clay #p

Just before my time working as a Camp Counsellor at Camp Med-O-Lark in Maine I hired an electrician to wire in my new kiln. I just need to figure out how to plug in the controller box then I should be able to make work again soon. I have also just bought a new pottery wheel from Sedgefield Pottery Supplies. Bill is the owner of Sedgefield Pottery Studio, and told me more about my kiln as he once had it. Building a ceramic studio for myself has been a slow process, as the esse

Assessment is fast approaching and one of my desks is smothered with work... this is only some of it. I LOVE doing my masters at University of Sunderland.. and within this year I was able to make so much more work than I have previously. So.. with two kilns full of these vessels, I can not wait to get them out.. glaze and add transfers !! #stage #stage2 #making #maker #makers #art #artist #artists #emergingart #emergingartists #contemporary #concepts #contemporaryart #contemp

Tonight is the Private View for the exhibition 'FRESH' designed for emerging artists in Thirsk. I will be exhibiting my work Where men once stood only memories remain. This exhibition will be running from 25th March until 9th April at The Courthouse, Thirsk. It was a great opportunity to exhibit my work. The exhibition was promoted through the local newspaper, and was visited by the Mayor. The exhibition contained thirteen artists around the area. #thirsk #exhibition #artexhi

I have been making porcelain paper clay this week! I made one large plaster batt and two smaller ones for the clay to dry out on. I tested with Manganese Oxides, Black Iron Oxides and Copper Oxides in the clay whilst they were drying out. #ceramics #ceramic #clay #paper #paperclay #art #artist #maker #makers #artists #uni #experiment #university #stage #stage1 #stage1 #sunderland #newcastle #north #northeast #experiments #test #testing #glaze #makingclay #making #craft #desig

Over three days in the first week back at University we were briefed to design and make a work of art inspired by the north east. And boy was that a challenge! I chose to design an architectural sculpture based on Hadrian's Wall in Wallsend, the place where I am from. I screen printed images of the wall on to the glass, cut them out in abstract shapes and pieced the glass back together, creating a 3D structure. This resembled the deconstruction of the wall and the missing pie

Today at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, Stephen Dixon, a professional ceramic artist and Professor of Contemporary Crafts at Manchester School of Art has given a talk about his work in ceramics and a workshop. I am inspired and grateful of the opportunity to meet, and hear about the work of Stephen, as his work has been an inspiration of mine for a long time. Stephen Dixon's work is about commemoration, subversion and football. He also went on to say a narrative