05 June 2007

Over the last few weeks I have been really busy working out the workshop dates over the summer. I am going to be in France organising the courses for this year and hope that more of you will want to come. There are still a few places left. New workshop dates are on the courses page. They cost £35 a day including some materials, and of course, if you can get a group together then I will come to you.

At the moment I am working on a new project inspired by the iron men on Crosby beach. When I was in Dorset I used to make lots of big women in clay. I’m hoping to produce a body of work reflecting both aspect of the work I do – Hard women, in clay, and iron men in felt, with some overlap – it’s mostly still in the planning stage but very exciting. That's the way I work, it's all in my head for ages, then it just pours out. I’ve started making the wallhangings in felt. They will vary in size from about 30cm square up to 150x100cm or maybe even bigger. The designs so far are fairly pictorial but will evolve towards the abstract. I have a few wonderful images of iron men with barnacles and rust and stuff, and I intend to get more. I'm going to use spectacular skies too. One of the things I do with my pottery is use an extruder. This is a huge machine that makes pipes - like drainage pipes. I use pieces of pipe to produce torsos of big women. over the next few months I will be spending some time at a pottery with a big gas kiln. This is a departure for me. I haven't been able to use a gas kiln for years. The glaze effects you can get are amazing. The idea is that I will make a series of big women and decorate them with images of iron men. Keep watching this space for the developments!

01 May 2007

As usual the last couple of weeks have been hectic. The wallhanging, which was made for a Quaker in Spain, has been collected by the carrier and I await the verdict of the purchaser. As I said it was a real learning experience and I am very glad I did it. I feel totally confident now that I can manage big projects. Of course, all the time I am thinking up new ideas and learning new skills. I remember one of those internet things - rules for being human - The first one is 'There are no mistakes, only lessons' Well I've had a lot of lessons recently!

I would love to make another one, though maybe not quite so big next time. This one is 1metre 90cm x 1.50cm. Amazingly it weighs less than 2 kilograms. I think it is a really good alternative to a painting or a tapestry. Apart from anything else it's good insulation! It would be great to make one with an industrial theme, maybe engineering - all those cogs and bits of machinery would be quite challenging. Think what an impact it would make in the reception area of a manufacturer.

I have been on a wonderful garment making course with Jenny Mackay at Moral Fibre near Ludlow, with the lovely Faith Roper and all her gorgeous wool. Look at her website www.moralfibre.uk.com

I made a big jacket, which isn't quite finished as yet, but the upshot of it all is that I've made another jacket - for myself of course. I'm really pleased with it - look at the photos in the Gallery! I dyed and carded the wool ages ago and it has been sitting in a bag, waiting form me to get the inspiration to do something. The jacket is just what I wanted for those not-so-warm summer evenings, and the colour is glorious.

I'm still planning the course in France in October, but now there is a draft programme - see my 'Courses' page for more details, and it's such good value for money. I'm looking forward to the new venue too.

This next couple of weeks I think I will be concentrating on getting some more dyeing done. I have some new (to me) dyes that I want to try.

18th April 2007

Well, such a lot has been happening this last few weeks, I'm finally almost finished with the huge wallhanging I am making for the cortijo (farmhouse) in Spain. It's been a real learning exercise making something so big, but a lot of fun sourcing the materials. And making felt certainly keeps one fit!

Most of the wool I used is merino - some of which comes from an organic farm in the Falklands - one of the smaller islands I believe. Then the wall - the 'cement' for that is from Gotland sheep. Gotland is a small island in between Sweden and Lithuania. The hills are made from Shetland wool and the backing from merino and Blue faced Leicester . The trees are made from raw unprocessed merino – it's been washed and dried but that's all. Other bits are from Lleyn sheep and Welsh woodland, – so a good mix. Much of it is from organic naturally reared sheep. I hand dye the wool. Vat dyed wool had a regularity of tone which I think flattens the colour. I much prefer the subtle variations in hand dyed wool though I confess it's hard in the winter when the small of wet wool pervades the house.

However, the piece is all but finished and will be on it's way to Spain very soon. What next I wonder?

This year the craft courses in France will include a new venue; the village of Courbiat, near Tulle about 60km south of Limoges. The accommodation is fantastic and I have had a swim in the pool, so can vouch for everything being there. Of course, if there is enough demand we can also run another course in Congenies with Caroline - that's a favourite I know. The week in Courbiat will be the same format – 3 pottery making days, a day feltmaking or silkpainting (or both, depending on demand) a day for visiting, then a day glazing and firing before returning home - or going on to your next destination. The area around Courbiat is amazing. wonderful for walking and sightseeing. Non-crafty partners will find plenty to keep them occupied.

I plan to spend quite a bit of time in France later this year in preparation for the courses, and of course I am always accessible via email, and will always try to reply within 48 hours, so don't be dismayed if you can't get me by phone!