Yarn bowls in the making

Well here is one from the first batch of yarn bowls. Their purpose in life is holding a ball of wool steady while a knitter knits - stops it rolling around all over the floor and teasing cats! They are currently sitting in the kiln enduring the first or bisque firing before being given a coat of glaze. I have in mind a lovely glossy bottle green glaze which I love and want to use on everthing at the moment!

Nudes drying in the sunshine

The weather was so great today it would have been a shame to have missed the opportunity to get some drying hastened in the warm breeze.

All six pieces are done and drying nicely so I should get them through the kiln by the end of the week. They can then be coloured and fired again in time for collection on the 1st of May. The exhibition is at the Haddenham Gallery near Ely, Cambs from the 9th.

While the nudes were gently drying in the balmy shade I was indoors throwing Yarn bowls.(that should please Peahen) These are cereal size bowls designed to hold onto a ball of wool as you knit and stop it jumping around and rolling off! Not really sure yet if the shape is right for the job, so have just done a few for now, will get them road tested before they are offered for sale at www.handspinner.co.uk.

Cylindrical Nudes

This week, I have been hastily preparing slabs for a new batch of my ceramic 'nude sketches'. I love making these and nearly always find myself pushing a deadline. I feel that this helps me to achieve the look I am aiming for - bring on the stress!

The nudes are 'sketched' into stiffend clay slabs that have been formed into a half cylinder. The figure is then given shape by carving and pushing the clay from the back.

I usually use a beautiful creamy white crank for these, its a clay body designed for tiles and is produced in Cornwall.(its not unlike earthstone handbuilding clay in texture and apearance, but far cheaper)

This clay comes highly recommended by Ian Gregory for sculpting- thats good enough for me! This time though, I am mixing it with porcelain - just for the hell of it (and to give myself more work).

Below is one from a previous batch, to show how they look when they are finished, (shame I cant hold the camera straight) just in case I dont get time to take photos of these ones before they head off to the gallery!

Full steam ahead with the pinecone!

All work on the Coat of Arms has ground to a halt this past few days as the need to get the pinecone finished for installation at the Chelsea Flower Show has taken precedence. The deadline was so close that I had to down tools and go to the Forge and assist in the lost wax casting
process.

It was great to see the molten lead poured and then see the cast lead pinecone emerge from the the mould as I chiselled it out from the investment.

The finished result was amazing and I'm sure that it will be well received at The show. Keep an eye out for it in the t.v coverage of the event, or if you are lucky enough to go to the show personally, see if you can find it. It will be part of a stunning and prize winning (fingers crossed) garden.

Coat of arms -mould making

Sculpting is all finished now and it has been seen and approved by the customer, so the mould making is the next stage now. I have had a last glance over it to check for any details that may need tidying up.
This is very important as once the mould has been started there is no going back, all detail that is there is there for ever!

The first layer of the mould is applied very carefully to make sure every detail is captured perfectly, and subsequent layers will be built up gradually to the right thickness.


Meanwhile on the other bench.....

...this little beauty has been coming along nicely!

This pine cone is the little brother to a 3ft pine cone that I sculpted in Feb '06, it was cast in lead and shown at Chelsea flower Show. This one is also a commission from Brian who will be casting it in lead, using the lost wax method of casting.

Coat of Arms-nearly there!

Work has really progressed on the coat of arms now and I'm really pleased with how it looks.
(Click on the photo for a closer look)

All the details are on the shield and today I put in the lettering.
The lettering is a job best left 'til the end as it could easily be spoiled by dropping a tool on it, especially as it is at the base of the design, where it is also vulnerable to being leaned on accidently.

I feel that it is nearly there, just a bit more smoothing and refining to do and Ill be ready to make the mould. Its time now to get the customer over for a last look and the 'nod' to go ahead if she is happy with it.
Fingers crossed.