Planning for the future, a new workshop

I'm very excited about this piece of news. I'm going to be sorting out my workshop properly this year. 

You see I've been doing my pottery in my garage for the last few years but it is so cold in the winter months that production stops. Well not next winter! 

I'm going to be bricking up the garage door and replacing it with a big window that will let in lots of lovely light without needing to be exposed to the elements. Planning applications are in and we have our building firm sorted. I really can't wait!

Where the garage door is now is where I plan to have my art desk and do my painting. I'll have good light there. I will also have space to put up more shelving so that I can store my paints and glazes downstairs (they are in the spare bedroom at the moment) and also have space to store more stock. 

The other up side is that we will get back out spare room for overnight guests. Or somewhere for me or hubby to run to when one of us decides to snore. It's usually him snoring! Shh... I didn't say that! 

So there's my little piece of exciting news. I had to share it with you. I know that my crafty buddies will understand the significance and I daresay that their spouses will appreciate not having craft supplies all around the house as well! 

I'll try to remember to photograph things as they progress. 

Cath x

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Busy as, well Elves! Time to stuff those stockings.

This year I intended on being more organised with Christmas gifts and stocking fillers. For those who know me it will come as no surprise that I used Pinterest to pin the lovely ideas that I found and to keep them where I would be able to find them again. I am quite the Pinter-addict! 

I have most the main gifts sorted and of course many are made by my very own hands. I can't say much more though as I haven't given them yet and they are surprises. What I always seem to forget though are the little fun items for the stockings that Santa's Elves have worked on. So below are a few ideas that I've found and some of my own items that also make great stocking fillers. 

Women are always the easiest to buy for in my opinion. Jewellery always fits really well into a stocking as well. 

This Camellia Rose bangle style bracelet is lovely for both women and teens alike. I love how this catches the light with all the Rhinestones. You can find it here. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Women-Fashion-Rhinestone-Camellia-Rose-Gold-Bangle-Bracelet-Jewelry-/252194172779?hash=item3ab7f1af6b:g:pusAAOSwl9BWNgS3 

In the age of technology and just about everyone owning a phone, phone covers are a popular choice. I loved this Minion phone cover when I spotted it. I am bit of a fan. Shame they didn't come in the right size for my phone. 
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/iphone-5-5s-case-Hard-Back-minion-ganster-NEW-UK-seller-stocking-filler-/161567588558?roken=cUgayN

Missy is an absolute bookworm and every year she asked for the same thing from Santa, a notepad and pen. She writes so many stories and gets through so many notebooks that I'm sure she will end up being an author. These stunning notebooks have faux suede bindings with a leather strap to close them. I'm particularly impressed that you can refill them. 
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252207358462?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

While I'm talking about books I really must show you this stunner. The photograph is one of my mother's, Christina Powell. A few Christmas' ago her garden squirrel made of wire frosted over and this was the beautiful result. The photograph was used to make notepads and Christmas cards. I really love these in the glossy finish. 
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/256416663/frosted-squirrel-notebooks-original?ref=shop_home_feat_2 

For very young children the first thought is often of cuddly toys but why not make it that bit more special and go for a handmade one? I found this cutie on Etsy (home of handmade lovelies) made by Simply Stitched UK. I can see this fast becoming one of the favourites that has to be in the cot at night. 
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/185880009/crochet-bunny-rabbit-liberty-rose-with?ref=teams_post 

Another favourite for the stocking is smellies and goes for men and women alike. While I was browsing around some of my fave shops on Etsy I found these delicious looking (although not to be eaten!) bees wax soaps from the Soap Dragon. Don't they look wonderful! 
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/64482076/2-bee-natural-cold-process-honey-guest?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share

My next amazing find is from The Turquoise Eye. I've been a fan of her work for a few years now and am completely in awe of the detail in her work. Her art work transposes so well to these gorgeous compact mirrors that I'm sure they would be a hit for the lady in your life. 
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/234606969/dragonflies-pocket-mirror-christmas?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=stocking%20fillers%20uk&ref=sr_gallery_39

As my fans will know, I make ceramics mostly. They are not so easy to pop into a stocking given their fragile nature however, my ceramic pendants would be fine in the little jewellery boxes they come with. This is an example of a bar pendant that I have on Etsy at the time of writing. These have been very popular and make a lovely gift. Who do you know who is mad about green? Watch out, my sister in law is and she might get there first! 
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/240205148/lime-green-ceramic-bar-pendant-on-a?ref=shop_home_active_14

So here we are. A few ideas if you are still looking for the last minute gifts or are stuck with stocking filler ideas as I often am. Please do check out the featured shops as they have lots of wonderful goodies that I like to drool over. If you have no one to send them to, then I'm always happy to receive from them! ;-) 

If I don't write again this side of the festivities then I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and here's to another wonderful year in 2016! I'll see you on the other side.

Cath xx

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Time to expand, and I don't mean my waist!

As we all know times are hard at the moment for many of us. The financial crisis is still very real for many despite what Governments say. We have recently had a blow to our monthly income so I am having to get more creative and expand what Ty Siriol is all about. Thankfully when I named the business I added the '& Crafts' bit at the end of the name 'Ty Siriol Ceramics & Crafts'. 

I have had a light bulb moment. You see, I'm not able to keep up with the making side of my pottery due to illness and I can't keep the shop stocked and fresh like I'd want to. This is when I decided to expand into the vintage market as well but still focusing on ceramics and some glass. 

I have quite a bit of vintage stock on Etsy these days. I find them all over the place, clean them up and in some cases upcycle them and give them a fresh coat of glaze to bring them back to life. I have some stunning pieces as well that I'm quite proud of. I love it when I find a hand thrown piece of pottery with the artist's name or stamp on it. There is no way I will let them go to landfill. The artist would have worked damn hard and have trained for many years to get to that pot and it deserves to be loved by someone else. 

Here is one of my favourite finds. A hand thrown terracotta jug complete with the stamp of the artist. It's got a beautiful earthy and organic feel to it. The form is stunning and you can clearly see the stamp under the handle of the jug. Wonderful.

Here is another example of a wonderful find. This mug feels great in your hand and has a comforting feel, like drinking hot chocolate on a winters day feeling. Again we can see that the artist who threw this mug has signed the bottom. Another one-of-a-kind saved from landfill. 

This next piece I have fallen in love with and I really had to force myself to list it on Etsy. This stunning vase, thrown in terracotta, shows the lines from the wheel and you can feel the undulations. The accent of glaze across the front sets it off beautifully. If this one doesn't sell I'll be more than happy to keep it. ;-) 

It is still early days for my vintage section but so far things are looking promising. I really hope that it helps my Etsy shop to keep going. For now I'm not making very much but more doing what I want to for relaxation. To me, pottery is a form of meditation and I want to keep it that way. 

Once again, thanks for reading,
Cath xx

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Incense burners and mindfulness meditation

For the last couple of years I've been learning and practicing mindfulness meditation. It's all about being present in the moment. Don't worry about the past, as you cannot change it, and don't worry about the future as you don't know what will happen. Instead it's all about living in the present moment and taking the time to slow down or stop and see the world around you in all it's wonderful glory. 

It took a little practice at first to really slow down and I often find my mind wandering even now. But that's ok. I just observe that my mind has wandered and guide it back to where I want it to be. I don't scold myself but rather the key is to observe in the third person. I do this for other situations as well as I can work out what happened without any emotional involvement. 

I've even taught my daughter how to do it and she tells me that she often does it on the school bus looking out the window at the sky after a difficult day. By the time she comes in the door she has grounded herself again and is happy. We like to meditate in the garden when we can, just the two of us. 

While learning meditation I've been thinking about what others use to help them focus. I love to be outdoors and smell the grass and flowers, even the rain. Others like to burn their favourite scents, such as lavender or sandalwood. I'm highly sensitive to artificial smells so I don't burn scented candles or incense. Even so, I have started making incense burners for others and I'm selling a batch on Etsy. The first batch are all keeping in touch with nature and are leaves in various finishes. If they prove to be popular then I will look into other more organic styles. 

Incense burners shaped as leaves by Ty Siriol Ceramics

A selection of leaf incense burners by Ty Siriol Ceramics

I've sent another red one off just this morning so they do seem to be in demand. The red is also my favourite of them. Do you have a favourite colour? If so please post it in the comments. I do love to hear what you think. 

If you would like to see which ones are left in stock my Etsy link is below. 

Thanks for reading,
Cathy x

www.facebook.com/TySiriolCeramicsandCrafts
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TySiriolCeramics  
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TySiriolCrafts
Twitter: @tysiriolceramic