Meet Bob, he's a Brahma chicken, we actually think he might be a proper boy but it's too early to tell, more about Bob later.

I've had a busy few days throwing the last of the order for Tom, sore back and sore fingers but all done, after turning the last pot I had a really good clean out, including the wheel, it hasn't looked this clean for a long time! I'm practically out of throwing clay too so need to get an order in.

I've been using one of the tables from the stand to cope with the amount of work. Hoping to get loads of biscuit firings completed to move it out and get some space back!

I did have a little time off on Saturday morning to go and collect an few early birthday presses. It's become a bit of a tradition to have new chickens as a present, it started with 3 birds who we named after the people who gave them to us, Mandy and Barry, and for no good reason, Jeff. That was a few years ago and unfortunately they are no longer with us. Last year I got given Hattie and Milly, buff Orpington's and this year a real treat, we collected five Brahmas.

Brahams are the biggest chickens you can get, they will grow up to two foot tall! The little one below is small just because she's the youngest, I couldn't resist her for her colour and markings. I've called her Marilyn.

This pretty lady is Hilda.

And at the back of the pack in grey is The Professor, Jon's bird! 

They are settling in well, like sweet corn and are defending themselves against bossy little Mrs Jones who thinks she rules!

Country Living General Store is now stocking my products!  I've been teaching all week and making in the evening and after that getting work loaded up or ready to go. These are the first products up loaded and just emptied a kiln full of them ready, will prep them ready later. 

Here's a set of Christmas decorations, each one is hand made and hand decorated and because of these processes each one is unique. They're made from high fired stoneware clay and as a result will be a keep sake forever. I've used some before now as little gift tags too. You can buy a set for £10.00 from the store plus postage, mum, there's a set on it's way to you right now xxx

Below is a set before the red ribbon is added and they are packed in little bags.

This is what they look like before they go into the kiln for the second firing. The surfaces are treated with a secret recipe mixture of oxides. This brings out all the layers of texture and detail and enhance the look of depth in the pieces. They are delicate when they are being made and when drying but once they have had their first 'biscuit' firing they are much stronger. The final firing takes them up to 1260 degrees and gives them their 'stoneware' qualities. I've had some pieces of work I've made sitting outside for years, my mum's got a right mixture of bit's dotted around her garden so it goes to show how strong they are without being heavy.

Here's one of the larger one's ready for firing. These are all Christmas related and I've had some cute tags made to go with them but I'm hoping later today to get some good photo's of the floral pieces I make and up load those onto Country Living's General Store.

I've got a place booked in the Art cabinets at Shrewsbury Art Gallery and Museum for January to early February and already have designs for a range of 'Valentine' gifts with tags saying 'Be mine Valentine' which should hopefully go well and then it's on to Mother's Day. 

I'm also planning a range of  baby presents and need to get making the horse shoes again!

Here's a set of 'Cornishware' bowls fresh out the same kiln. These are already sold which is a nice feeling but I'm running out of space! Off now to pack, fire, move stuff, make and throw, lots to do in the next few days, all good!

Carfest South done! 

What a fab show, we had a fantastic time and got some orders from this couple too, recognise him? 

Tom Kerridge and his wife Beth are absolutely lovely people and have orders in for their new restaurant opening in Marlowe in October. We're getting a tour of The Hand of Flowers when we visit in a month or so, it's his pub which holds Two Michelin stars!

Here are some photos from the shoots I have been doing. It's not easy trying to second guess how to show them off and learning to use the camera I borrowed and the light tent but I like the results.

Large walnut and mini butter board on slate, like the contrast of the woods and texture of the slate.

 A pair of oak boards set up for different courses, like the fruit, might try this again.

 And love this one below, Jon said he would have used redder cherries, might try that in the future too.

Clay, the basic material for all of my hand made products, but most people don't really understand what it is. I collected some clay from this clay pit, it's one I've been using for years and known about all my life. 

Clay is most simply explained as decomposed rock, a process that takes years and of course is always on going. Here at St Agnes clay pit, Dobles Clay, they drain the pit every now and then, and then process the clay.

This is inside the shed where all the magic happens and it looks like something going back in time but it's right on the cliff edge and exposed to all the best the British weather has to offer.

These days people are much keener to check where products come from, where the materials come from and how they are made, so, my clay comes from St Agnes clay pit, Cornwall. It was at St Agnes Primary School I made my first clay pots. A village I lived in and next to for my childhood and teenage years.

I was brought up in Cornwall as my Dad was a lighthouse keeper. The ammonite as my clay stamp works for me on lots of levels, my Cornish up-bringing and my relationship to Shrewsbury and it's link to Darwin and it's been a stamp I've used for years.

I didn't plan all of this when I decided to set up my business, it's just how it is!

Anybody visiting Cornwall wanting to see a proper clay pit, not on an industrial level, get to St Agnes, head through the village and turn left past the St Agnes Hotel up to the Beacon, turn right down a dirt track clearly heading to a view point and on your right there's a gate for Doble Clay Pit, if he's in, go see an ancient clay pit and buy a bag. It's good stuff.

Thanks to a good friend we had our first attempt at a photo shoot yesterday and here are some of the results. We need these photos for advertising, the web, and for some PR work. It's. Not the easiest thing to do but I like some of the outcomes. 

The pewter cheese knife and spoon with the ammonite symbol are there as the idea of a gift set, these are just some examples.

This image was taken on top of an old trunk we've had kicking around for years but I love the contrast of materials.

A great camera really makes the most of the details in our work, love this imagine below.

And here are examples of my Christmas heart decorations too, these are ready for ordering.

Carfest North done!

Shattered but happy, had every form of weather you could think of but such a great crowd and wow to the music and organisation. We had a great bunch of stall holders around us and meet loads of lovely people. 

Setting up went well and we were pleased with the overall look of the space and had great sales and lovely comments. 

 And we even got to say hi to the main man! Chuffed right now.