Throw Down 2022!

Hello!

Much like last year, with a new series of The Great Pottery Thrown Down back on our screens, my blog views go bonkers after months of minimal activity.

Unfortunately the last two series have coincided with quite significant life events in the Stratford household and so I haven’t been able to follow the two most recent series via my blog in the way I would want too.

Alas after a very productive 2020 pottery wise, unfortunately I am still not able to get back to clay as often as I would like. But! Hope is not lost. And I have plans.. big plans!

In the meantime if you have any questions or comments I’m always happy to hear from fellow potters and lovers of clay.

Stay safe and look after each other

PS xx

Thrown Down during Lockdown!

Hello everyone,

How are you all doing? Enjoying The Great Pottery Throw Down? Are you managing to be creative during this lockdown 3.0?

I have to say, I was hoping to write a regular blog post on each episode of the TGPTD this year, but that has totally failed to materialise.

During the first lockdown in the Spring/Summer 2020 I was able to find more time to create and make. Perhaps because we had such gorgeous weather? Although even during lockdown 2.0 I was busy making things in the build up to Christmas in order to fulfil Etsy orders.

But this time… I don’t know. I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I don’t know if its because its January or because its winter or because the home schooling has taken it up a notch, or there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight… I’m struggling to find the creativity and the time.

Home schooling this time around is really intensive. In the Spring/Summer it was less structured and at our own pace. This time we have live lessons and four or more pieces of work to complete. We are all exhausted by tea time! The couple of hours we have after dinner are totally lost to tidying up, cleaning and catching up on work/life admin that doesn’t happen in the day. I feel totally in awe of the teachers at my Little One’s school, teaching online and in person. I also feel so much sadness for my Little One, because she is getting all the tough bits of school – the phonics, maths, literacy lessons etc. but without the fun play times and friends mixed in.

But given the circumstances. We are all well, and that’s what matters. I hope you’re keeping as well as possible in the circumstances as well.

And so, despite not being able to blog about it in the way I had hoped, I’ve been really enjoying TGPTD this year! I really like the new location – the big bright studio is very inviting. I have enjoyed the makes too – the fruit episode was crazy! I have been enjoying Rich Miller as a judge and my love for KBJ continues. I swear, he nearly makes me cry every episode. And I have to correct my first post about the new technician, I thought her name was Jenny but it is actually Rose Schmitt – and her work is absolutely stunning! Really thought provoking. She has an Etsy shop if you want to check it out or her Instagram is @RoseSchmits.

I really enjoyed watching the potters making the buildings – I think when I can get back in the studio I will definitely give it a go. Although I’m not sure what building to choose… I guess I have the rest of lockdown to think! What have you enjoyed so far? Do you have a favourite potter?

Another show I enjoyed lockdown 1.0 was Grayson Perry’s Art Club – and I believe its back soon! They have given the topics in advance now, should anyone want to submit a piece of artwork.

So. Despite not having much time to be creative myself, there is opportunity to enjoy the creativity of others!

Stay safe and look after each other

PS xx

The Great Pottery Throw Down 2021!

This evening, channel4 7.45pm UK time, we welcomed the fourth season of the Great Pottery Throw Down!

There were quite a few changes of note just from the beginning. First that the show wasn’t filmed at Middleport Pottery last year but at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Stoke on Trent. Second that the show has its third line up change with both a new presenter – Siobhán McSweeny (Derry Girls), and Rich Miller being promoted from technician to presenter alongside Keith Brymer Jones! There is also a new technician, but I didn’t catch her name at the beginning – but hopefully she is introduced properly at some point.

A third big difference was that the entire cast and crew were living together in order to film, much like the Great British Bake Off cast did. That must have been an enormous sacrifice for all involved. But perhaps hopefully ment the filming could be done more quickly as I understand normally potters were travelling back and forth for months for filming.

Did you enjoy it? What did you make of the cheese sets?

I think there seemed to be a broad spectrum of potters which is great to see. Lots of different styles came through in the challenges. We got a sneak peak of a hand building task for next week that o thought looked fantastic! And the technical was goblets again.

I think it’s honestly the best time for the GPTD to be back – while most of the UK is in lockdown again, we all need something wholesome, creative and engaging to watch. And hopefully it inspires more people to take up clay!

Air dry and polymer clay is an affordable way to start hand building without the use of a kiln. Many potters and studios are also happy to rent out space in firings as well – so do check your local area. Clay Craft magazine have a listings section at the back which is a good place to start.

I can’t wait for next Sunday! Happy Potting everyone – stay safe and take care

PS xx

Thrown Down goes across the Atlantic!

All you lovely North American Potters – what a delight you have in store… in case you hadn’t heard – The Great Pottery Throw Down is on HBO MAX!

I understand it started last week – and they have the rights to all three series going back to the early days on the BBC where it all started back in 2015.

The Throw Down is what made me fall back in love with clay and I know from social media that many international potters have lamented the fact that it was only on in the UK.

I wonder how North American audiences will take to our favourite Keith Brymer Jones? He is moved to tears in almost every episode – and his tears are contagious! Who are your favourite contestants? What are your favourite challenges?

If anyone is watching – please comment and let us know if you love the show as much as we do!

PS xx

New site, new look!

Hello hello

Followers may have noticed a new look to my blog and site, and even a new domain name – stratfordceramics.com !

Well that’s because this year I’m going to try and produce more, sell more online and attend a local crafts fair! All still working around family life and work.

Why? Well, making pottery is what I love doing and well, life is too short to be just slaving away at the 9-5. Don’t get me wrong that 9-5 job is necessary, bills have to be paid! But putting aside more time, squeezing it in and actually planning what I want to make a little more than just one offs.. hopefully that will add a little spark and happiness to the daily grind!

So. Join me as I try to make a hobby I squeeze in once or twice a month into something more regular and productive! I’ll be sharing progress, challenges, successes and failures right here. And as ever – tips and comments welcome along the way!

PS xx

P.S. And for you UK readers don’t forget – the Great Pottery Throw Down final is on Wednesday! More4 9pm

The Great Pottery Throw Down 2021 Registration

Any home potters interested, the Great Pottery Throw Down is registering interest for participants for 2021!

I don’t know how long it will be open for, but if you register you will be kept up to date when applications formally open

Register here

Good luck!

PS xx

Rich Miller demonstration at the Barnet Collection

Last month I had the absolute pleasure of attending a talk and demo by Rich Miller of Froyles Tiles and Pottery Throw Down fame.

He began by talking about his own journey with ceramics and background, how he came to stumble upon Froyles Tiles in what could only be described as fate.

What was wonderful was to hear about how reflections on his family and origins, in th context of the wider British Empire and monarchy have influenced his work.

I also loved that he used both very traditional techniques in making his own pieces, but wasn’t afraid to use technology where it gave the desired effect, such as with the transfers in his work. His incredibly thoughtful blend of old and new results in stunning pieces with very personal elements to them – whilst also drawing on historical social commentary and in turn, resulting in his own contemporary commentary.

His work is inspired by traditional chimney pot shapes and emblems of monarchy. He throws the main sections and uses sprig moulds for the adornments. Below are a few photos of the demonstration and the component parts of a pot he was working on.

It was by far the best demonstration and talk I’ve been too. His calm, humble demeanor, his patience and passion were wonderful to see.

Unfortunately I couldn’t afford one of his larger pieces on the day, but I do have two mugs of his that are definitely my favourite to drink from.

A huge thanks to the Barnet Collection for organising the day and to Rich Miller for taking the time to come up to North London!

PS xx

Middleport Pottery

Well! A few weeks ago   I ticked an item off my bucket list – a trip to Middleport Pottery! The home of Burleigh ware.

Sadly, it was supposed to be for a porcelain class but a mix up meant that I did not attend (we were fully refunded and the staff were very apologetic – giving me a beautiful book to compensate!) but rather than waste the journey we went for a walk around the estate. Again unfortunately it was a weekend and so their official tours were not running but we were nonetheless able to walk around most of the exhibits and grounds and the representative Liz was extremely knowledgeable and helpful.

The beautiful Burleigh transfers

The three stages of a teapot!

Middleport has been producing wares since the mid 1800s non stop to present day. This is an incredible feat in of itself! The factory was the first to consider the different stages of creating ceramics and accordingly planned the building and layout to create a production line with seven bottle kilns and their own seggars on site. The site is perfectly placed next to a canal for transport of the products.

We also stopped for a spot of lunch in the cafe which was very reasonable and absolutely delicious. And then even more time taking in the beautiful show rooms!

I’d highly recommend a visit to the pottery, particularly if you are a Throw Down fan as they have a current exhibition displaying some of the most memorable pieces from the show!

P Stratford xx

 

Throw Down is over.. But clay lives on!

The Great Pottery Throw Down is over… What is there to look forward too on TV each week now? Will they make us wait another 12-18months for the next series (assuming there is a next series). I’m not going to lie, Robot Wars keeps me happy on a Sunday night (yes, I admitted it. I like Robot Wars) but it’s nothing compared to the delights of clay!

And as anyone reading this blog, probably also follows The Great Pottery Throw Down, what did you think of Ryan winning? I guess he was pretty much up there from the first episode, it was nice to have Clover come into her own by the end of the series. I had a bit of a marmite relationship with Richard, I’m not going to lie. He made me roll my eyes probably 5-8 times an episode, with his 17th century flower pattern and subtle homophobia/misogyny (‘eww a kiss from KBJ… Throwing is mens work…!!?) but he was a big softy really.

I think from the beginning people would probably have put Elaine, Freya and Ryan (and Nam if there was a 4th space) up for the final. Their skills were clearly superior, but then it comes down to design fluency and the luck of the kiln firing. Some people were shocked Cait made it so far, but then she held her own, stuck to brief and was realistic about her abilities (although clearly needed bit of help with timing).

Overall I really enjoyed the series and it’s great to have more people talking about clay and ceramics! When we visited Godshill Pottery they commented how much more business and inquiries they had for classes and pots since the series had been on TV, which can only be a positive thing.

Over at SB’s studio we’ve all agreed to have a go at some of the main makes from the show. The first one we’ve tried is from an early episode, where the contestants made clocks. I decided to go for an art deco mantle clock and although the construction changed a little when I saw the depth of the clock mechanism, I was able to stick to my design and I’m generally really happy with it!

I rolled out two slabs, one I kept smooth and one I rolled with my wave pattern. I used various measuring devices and card templates to get the proportions right and then cut the pieces, let them dry a little, scored and slipped them together, let them dry a little more, and then it was fired facing down in order to keep the face as flat as possible. I also have a little support at the back that you can’t see. The lower semi circle projects back about 5cm and creates a sturdy base. I used my Mayco grey and green glazes for the colours, although in SB’s kiln she fired them high (at my request) and so the colour is less animated and deeper. The mechanism is gold and black, which doesn’t come across in the photo so well.

I can honestly say I’m really happy with my clock! It actually came out as I had imagined. Which is often not the case with ceramics..

Onto the next task! I’d love to make something for the garden (I’ve been playing with the idea of making a large rabbit, as Little One loves rabbits, although she loves pigs and frogs too…), a dinner set I might skip as we don’t have the space, and we have no need for an extra toilet… Perhaps we can do some raku and pit firing over the summer!!

So there you have it. The series may have finished, but the love for clay lives on.

Happy potting

PS xx

 

HEY CLAY!

Hey!

Well haven’t you heard? The Crafts Council’s Hey Clay! Events are happening all over the country 8-9 April!

If you’re inspired by the Great Pottery Throw Down or just want to get your hands dirty or try something new, then why not see what’s happening near you! A lot of events are free and loads are family friendly!

I’ve submitted a request to attend two workshops, one involving enamel painting on bisque and one slip casting porcelain. Hello!? When else would I get to try something like these??

I can’t wait! Hopefully I booked early enough to get a place. Feeling huge pottery love right now.

PS xx