Tag Archives: ceramics

Why Craft Festivals Are Good For Me.

Last weekend found me selling my wares at the Makers Cornwall Christmas Fair. Sixty or so stalls were set out and thousands of people visited. It was a long, tiring few days and I came home absolutely on my knees. By Sunday afternoon my head was banging, my body was fizzing and my feet were very sore. I was also hoarse from multiple conversations with potential purchasers and people interested in what I do.

So why do I subject myself to such a frenzy?

Firstly, it is a great opportunity to meet the people who appreciate your work. Handing a piece straight over to a smiling purchaser is very gratifying.

Secondly, it is a really good place to catch up with other makers. Creating in a home-based studio is often lonely. Sharing a weekend with like minded people is a great time to re-boot ones mood and have a bit of a sanity check.

Most importantly though, I had so many wonderful conversations this weekend. There were so many people who wanted to discuss ceramics, to talk specifically about what I do and to make enquiries about how to learn more. It is sometimes hard to know if you are getting it right and endorsements like this help hugely.

So, thank you – to the organisers, to the other exhibitors and most of all to the visitors to the fair – for making this a very memorable weekend.

With many thanks to Sarah Hancock for use of this image

Packing Day

It is always an exciting day when I pack for an exhibition. It is also pretty daunting! There is so much to fit in and all of it is incredibly fragile so I need to think very carefully about what combination goes in which box and how the boxes themselves will be packed together to reduce the risk of movement during the journey. Add into the mix the fact that I refuse to buy new packaging materials and the difficulties multiply.

This time I have to get from Cornwall to Hampshire. I have to remember the clothes for the PV and for doing a couple of workshops whilst I am there plus the materials for the aforementioned workshops and many other bits and pieces. All I can say is thank Heavens for recycled packaging! I have not bought bubble wrap for years. Instead, I exist on reusing the wrap and paper packaging from deliveries to my house but the prize goes to some amazing sheep’s wool insulated packaging which my son saves for me from around his dog’s food deliveries. It comes sealed in compostable ‘plastic’, is thick and soft so cushions the ceramics really well and, if I ever think it has had its day, I can just chuck it into the compost bin.

And the winner is the sheep’s wool packaging!

Re:Connecting is an exhibition which has been a long time in the making and I can hardly believe that we are at this point at last. On Friday I will be spending the day with one of the two primary schools in the parish in which Blacknest Fields sits. We will be exploring the fields and, hopefully, discovering some amazing wildlife. Then we will go back to the school to create artwork based on our experiences in the morning. I can’t wait.