plates

I've been flat out making 40 plates for a special dinner for designers and creative folk organised by Mr Kitly and Supercyclers.  Here's a little pic of them all stacked up ready for dinner.

thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came by and said hi at Finders Keepers.  It was lovely to meet so many awesome folks.

And a very big extra special thanks to Lyn for knitting me a tea cosy for my teapot!!  Best present ever.

If you're after a teapot send me an email as I'll be making some this week (info@shiko.com.au).  The cooler weather and the cosy have got me all inspired.

Fresh off the wheel

I was playing around with some bigger forms today and they look so juicy fresh off the wheel.

I used the webbing between my fingers to alter the rim on these large bowls while on the wheel and then I've thrown through it slightly and included some texture from a wooden tool.  I beveled the base with an arrow head tool and then squished the base gently with my hands to extenuate the movement in the rim.  Jem's not convinced but I love the moment, there's something lively and soft about them.

The ovoid was far more controlled but just as much fun!

Learning

For the last few months I've been spending a day a week with potter Gary Healey. Each week he stretches me, pushes me further and challenges me with projects and problems.

Gary's guidance and support has given my confidence.  He's moved me from 500grams to 5kg and encouraged me to attempt forms I never would've thought possible (like the two piece bottle and large bowl above).

There are very few places left where pottery skills are taught or passed on as Tafe and University courses close down. And so it's fallen to individuals, to potters like Gary, to make sure this knowledge is not lost.

I am incredibly lucky to have been given an opportunity to learn from Gary and I try to squeeze every drop of pottery goodness out of our Wednesday's at the wheel.

Finders Keepers

I'll be at Finders Keepers this Friday and Saturday coming (Friday 5th April 6pm to 10pm and Saturday 6th April 10am to 5pm) at the Royal Exhibition Building (next to the Museum)

Lots of exciting new things, including these earthy, homely, wintery mugs.

On making pots

I love making pots.

So I make pots every day.  I make every day because I want to make better pots.  Each bowl or cup or plate is simply a step along the way to getting better at my craft, honing my skills, my awareness, knowledge and touch.

I love using handmade pots.

So I make pots that I want to use. They don't follow fashion, they're not unnecessarily decorated, they are simple pots that are comforting to hold and enjoyable to drink or eat from.

It is this marriage between skill and function that drives what I do.  I want to make work that is honest, beautiful and useful and I want to be constantly improving and learning so I can make better pots... so I better get back to work!

Seconds Sale!

This Saturday at Maribyrnong Makers Market I'm having a seconds sale

Lots of one offs, not quite rights, samples, and happy accidents.