2023 What a year…
2023 was the first full year of creating and selling my work, and it has been a fun packed adventure.
January to May was spent focusing on studio work, creating new forms and experimenting with saggar firing techniques in the garden. I love the freedom that experimenting gives me - just giving anything a go to see if it works. This does require a level of detachment from some of the pieces though as it can sometimes go horribly wrong and look hideous, or break/crack during the firing/cooling process.
In June, I took part in South East Open Studios, and was invited to exhibit at Ashdown Pottery with Bill and Anthea. I couldn’t have hoped for a better start to my experience of exhibiting my work in a more serious way. Seeing the different ways that Bill and Anthea work was so interesting - Anthea, like me, loves the alternative firing methods and experimentation, whilst Bill throws enormous pots and delights in the beautiful effects you can create using glaze chemistry. Exhibiting alongside us were Bea Ramsey (Transform your Treasure), who reimagines your unworn/unloved/heirloom jewellery into something beautiful that you would be proud to wear, and Amanda Sumpter, a stone carver who creates very tactile and beautiful forms from different types of stone. I learned so much and gained a lot confidence through this experience, which led me to apply for the Artwave exhibition, curated by Jo Myles at Sussex Contemporary.
I applied for the Sussex Contemporary exhibition, with the expectation that the answer would be, “thank you for your application, but no thank you”. Imagine my surprise when I received the email from Jo to say “I absolutely love your ceramics and would love to have you join us as part of Artwave”. I was so shocked, I sent a very short email thanking Jo and then had to email and apologise for such an odd response!
The Artwave exhibition was a fantastic experience. I met so many talented artists and makers, spoke to many customers about my slightly DIY set up with the pallet studio and dog crate kiln, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Sadly both weekends fell on the hottest days of the year, which was a challenge when spending the day in a marquee. I have realised that there is a finite weather window in which British people will go out to do things - too hot/cold/windy/rainy and things get very quiet!
In the lead up to Christmas I took part in lots of Christmas markets at Bridge Cottage, One Garden, Plumpton Village Hall, Flo Road Market, and at Brownings Farm in Blackboys - by the time Christmas rolled around I was absolutely shattered, and ready for a good old ‘rest’ getting everything ready for a houseful over Christmas!
Over the course of 2023 I have been so lucky to be given the opportunity to meet such a lovely bunch of people, both makers and customers. Thank you so much for all of your support over the year, and particularly to Anthea and Bill, and Jo Myles for everything you have done to help and guide me in this new and different world (it’s a far cry from being a teacher, let me tell you!).
So, after a few weeks off, it is now back to the grind stone. Tutoring starts again this afternoon, and I will be working hard to get my online shop up and running over the next few weeks.