Wheelie good fun!

As some of you know I bought a pottery wheel the end of last year and I now have to somehow teach myself to learn how to throw pots. I've found some really good videos on you tube to get me started and the wonderful Mr Ty Siriol bought me the Simon Leach book and dvds for Christmas. 

Even though it has been a tad cold for working in the garage over the winter months I have managed a few attempts with the aid of a fan heater. I really need to get that garage door bricked up! 

Anyway, I have a set of 3 tapas bowls that I made for Mr Ty Siriol as he does love his Mediterranean food. Here is what they looked like after the first firing and once the glazes had been painted on. This is before the final firing. 

A set of tapas bowls ready to be glaze fired.

 The brown glaze is meant to turn out green after the firing. 

Here are the final bowls. 

Tapas bowls after the glaze firing

Tapas bowls for Mr Ty Siriol

I am really pleased with how they turned out. I think the dark blue one is my favourite as I really love that you can see the circular marks where it was thrown on the wheel. 

As this was the first thing from my wheel that was worth firing I had to sign and date the bottom of the very first one. This little guy will now be my bench mark to see if I improve! In the meantime they are being well used. :-)

The underside of my first tapas bowl with my signature and the date. 

I'm looking forward to the weather warming up enough that I can throw on the wheel with the garage door open so I can see the woods opposite at the same time. 

That's all for now folks. Thanks for joining me. 

Cath xx


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Christmas is coming to Ty Siriol

I know, it is a bit early for the 'C' word but what can I do? Once the high street start to bring out their Christmas stock anyone who sells online must also be ready for it. 

It is rather odd though when I am making winter woolies and Christmas themed stock during the summer months. In another month I'll be turning me attention towards Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. In the past I've always missed the boat so this time I'm trying to be more organised. It does feel wrong though. So I apologise if this is too early for you but I am going to show a selection of our Christmas stock that is available now online in our Etsy shop (link at the bottom) and will be on display at the Abergavenny Craft Fair next week. 

Dove of peace Christmas tree decoration.

Christmas tree decoration box set of 3, Peace, Love & Joy.

The dove and box set are both examples of the style that I produce. These are hand built from a slab of clay and can be embossed with just about anything (providing the slab is big enough ;) ). I have other items as well with wording such as, 'Mum', 'Nan', 'Sister' and so on. I have also made quite a few of these to order with names on them. The first one I made was for my daughter and she loved having a special decoration on the tree that was all hers. After lots of compliments I finally decided a year ago that I would make them for others as well. They've been a huge success and I'm always touched to know that they will make a young child feel special.

These 3 decorations, unlike the ones at the top, are made by slip casting with a mould and are more reproducible. Of course the painting is unique each time as this is all done by hand. These decorations are larger than the others at about 4 inches high and are suitable for hanging on garlands or little hooks as a decoration in their own right as well as being part of the tree.

Santa nibbles dish for your parties.

Novelty 'Sweet' dish to hold your nibbles, nuts or sweets.

Novelty 'cupcake' dish.

No Christmas post would be complete without Santa! I also have these novelty dishes this year, Santa, a Sweet and a Cupcake. My fave is the cupcake, which is yours? I think these dishes are fantastic for brightening up your party table. And what better to serve your sweets on... but a giant sweet!!! 

I should point out that the glazes used on the dishes are all food safe glazes and are hand washable. As my brother says, 'Safety first, safety second!' ;-)

So as you can see, I've been busy. I feel like I had Christmas in July this year. I'll be fed up by December!! It won't be long now until I start on the summer stock. It's just madness!!! 

I hope you've enjoyed having a nose behind the scenes with me. If you like what you've read I would love it if you would share my blog and/or my shop to help me get seen out there. It's a big world and I am but one person. Your help in the past has been amazingly helpful and I am always grateful for any shout outs and shares. It's you guys who keep me going through out mutual love of hand crafted goods. 

I won't wish you a Happy Christmas just yet because that really is bonkers so instead I'll simply wish you all well.

Cath xx
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