Fleetwood Library

Composite of Images from my Instagram Account.

For the whole of July all my new work is at Fleetwood Library.  I grew up in Fleetwood and I remember using the library there when it was brand new, and I am happy to have a show there.  Please go along and see the show, all of the new work is based on drawing and pictures I made in Fleetwood over the past few months.

Sneak Preview - Earthenware Pottery

Took a few pictures as I unloaded the kiln, and I refilled it too, only trouble is I forgot to put one last mug in, so it will have to be bisque fired with the stoneware pots I have waiting to be fired. I have decided I want to up my game when it comes to my photography after reading quite a few articles and looking back at my photographs, it can only be for the better.

Contents of the kiln after the earthenware glaze firing

I have a busy few days so I won't be taking photographs of individual pots for a few days, are there any in particular people would like to see?

Sgraffito or Carving, I can't decide

I have been making some Terracotta pots over the last week, so I have been working with carving and sgraffito tools.  I find that the pots spend a tremendous amount of time under plastic waiting for me and for them to be at the "right stage" time and patience is required.  I really am learning that even waiting takes time.

Here are some of the pieces in progress for my up coming exhibition.  All based on drawings I have done around the town.

Fleetwood Bowls

Fleetwood Boxes

Fleetwood pin dishes

The Carving tool and some of the pin dishes.

Summer Workshops

So this week is the week of our summer workshops at the Marine Hall at Fleetwood.  The best thing about our room there is the two massive windows that look out onto the lower prom and the sea.  Tuesday the waves were crashing and very destructive and people were attempting to surf, Wednesday they were calm and gentle and we saw some kayaks go out as well as yachts out in the slightly deeper water.

                                                                    Photograph by Benjamin Travis
Part of the old Fleetwood Dock, not much happening there any more the company that ran boats from here to Ireland stopped, good for the locals because there weren't as many big trucks coming through the town, but takes away from the feeling it was always busy there.

Some of the children's work packed into trays ready to be moved back to the studio.

This is the Mural we are working on too, this was after the morning session.  We still have a lot to do on it as you can see.

The other thing we have been doing is a plaster tile with the children, but I don't have any pictures as they took them away with them at the end of the session, despite having not touched plaster for over two years, I have been mixing it and pouring into moulds the children make.

Out to Work

                                           Photo by Benjamin Travis
This week the pottery studio at the Mill will be closed as we are working in Fleetwood at the Marine Hall teaching workshops Tuesday to Friday.  We are doing Coil pots, Treasure Box, Plaster Casts and a Mural that we are making there on site.

The Marine Hall Garden's are being re-landscaped at the moment, don't let that put you off, we will still be working there.

From the Council Website:
"Pottery Classes for Children

Tuesday 16th August 2011 - Friday 19th August 2011
Red Fox Pottery are providing a range of pottery projects for children aged five and upwards. Find an object on the beach and use your plaster casts to make a treasure box. Or decorate a tile - one for you and one to make a tile panel for the Marine Hall. If pots are your thing, try making an easy coil pot. All items will be taken to Red Fox Pottery to be fired and can be collected from either Marine Hall or the pottery in Thornton Cleveleys. Sessions held at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood. Two sessions 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. Cost: £5 per child per session. Suitable for 5 - 14 year olds.
Further Information: 01253 887693"

Children Throwing Pottery

A few days ago my little boy came in and had his third tutoring session on the wheel, has usually won't let me help him at all but this day he did and  really enjoyed himself.  He is 3 year old soon and he likes making pots like daddy, though he asked me the other day why I hadn't made a pot dinosaur and I told him to ask his mummy as she is the one that makes the animals.

Working had to get ready for the weekend

 So Friday 12th November we took over the Lease of Unit 9 of the Marsh Mill Craft Village, and received the keys to the door.  Marsh Mill is located in Thornton Cleveleys which you go through to get to Fleetwood from the Motorway, it is North of Blackpool and St. Annes and I have lived around here since I was quite young and is only a stones throw from the beach.  Marsh Mill was built in 1794 and is the only really major landmark here in Thornton apart from the long closed down Train Station, if you need a train you have to go up to Poulton Le Fylde.  Enough of a history lesson, we have a lot of hard work over the next few days are it is the Marsh Mill Christmas light switch on and we want to appear to be open by then.

When we first moved to Thornton in the early 90s I remember these sails turning around but last time I went in they said that cap couldn't turn around and they were waiting for a part, that was over 2 years ago I keep hoping to see it working again.

This is the outside of the shop, we are getting a sign made but at the moment our sign says we are "Marsh Mill Needlecraft" to our left we are getting 4D Photography Studios, it has been interesting seeing their false walls go up.  to our other side is a tattoo parlour, there is also a craft shop, wool shop, music shop, teashop, nails, hair, printing, pub and a restaurant

We pulled up the carpet and have sealed the concrete, we just need to get all the furniture in, I got a sideboard from a local e-store that refurbish furniture Apple Dumpling Antiques, I took delivery of it this morning and it is really nice.

There is a nice little nook and it is in here that I am going to put my big potters wheel so then I can throw and can always have sunlight, not like at Preston University.

We have 3 potters wheel at the moment and we are going to be offering throwing and hand building classes as well as selling our own work, and accepting commissions.

More pictures once we are set up in the next few days.

Dates for the Callender

Sunday 21st November - Pottery Demonstrations 3-4pm, free

Saturday 28th November - Decorate a Christmas Bauble, 1.99 per item, from 10am

Saturday 4th December - Taster classes £10 per person, from 10am