On a roll now: Kiln packed and ready to fire after I get back from A in A and before Hatfield. Last pots as possibles for Bircham Gallery exhibition.
Fired small kiln last night for 3 students; took forever but looks good!

At last, back to making pots.
Our taxes are in, have applied for Keramisto in Milsbeek, Ceramics in the City and 2 new galleries.  
Done lots of clearing of paperwork and other stuff and now have my reward of working out a new mug shape, designing lamp bases, throwing loads of wide, low bowls and playing with the decoration etc etc.
The first thing we are doing is expresso cups........... they look gorgeous but I don't like expresso!

My new graduate work experience helper arrived last week!
She is Anne Pilkington and has got a degree in 3D Design, studying wood, metal, ceramics and glass.
We spent the first week unpacking pots and boxes after the abandonment of everything from my trestle table accident.
I am out of the knee brace now and get the results of the MRI scan next week.
Decided the best way to show Anne the studio was to clean, sort and throw away what I could for a new start. Feels good to know where things are. Often use January to try and do the same in my house and have been semi successful this year.
Taxes/self assessment/ we will get it in by 31st Jan.............................

After dropping 2 nice mugs whilst trying to unpack to get ready for the Farmers Market in Sawbridgeworth this Sunday, I decided it wasn't to be, so I will miss the nice locals buying their pots for Christmas........................boo,hoo, Margaret

Going through paperwork. Pleased to get an email from Earth & Fire, Rufford. Have been accepted for the second year running. Took 6 years of applying before I got in. Really nice show, am pleased to be there. Also applied for a local Art 4 All competion and they've accepted my handbuilt piece. I guess my thrown work doesn't count as 'art'.


Tried to start unpacking pots from show but stopped when I broke the first mug..........................


Will I manage the Farmers Market in Sawbridgeworth this weekend?

Watched television.

Some improvement so really no excuse not to look at tackling paperwork.

Time out to be wheelchaired to the O2 to see Tim Minchin. What a total treat. If you haven't heard of him, google and listen carefully...............

Crutches and pain.

Fell off the trestle table taking down the lights from Blackthorpe Barn Show!

I can't put any weight on my right leg. I've done something bad to my knee!  What a b......nuisance. Heard Frauke shouting my name as the world went into slow motion before I crashed into the pile of trestles behind me. 

Managed to drive home slowly as I could still control my foot and the alternatives of car recovery and hospital were just too awful. Chose Codeine over Harlow A & E and went to local minor injuries the next morning.

Just got back from a lovely event at Blackthorpe Barn, just outside Bury St Edmunds.

Beautiful old threshing barns and a totally thriving business.

HUGE Christmas decorations shop and trees and wreaths and even real reindeer yesterday ( missed them though....).

Lots of time and trouble spent in making the whole place look really good and clearly it has a great reputation because it was totally PACKED with people.

What was really encouraging for me was selling across all of my range; lamp bases, bowls, vases etc as well as mugs and little jugs.
I know my mugs work well but I like to sell the other things too!

Today is cleaning and washing and paperwork.

Application for Hatfield and some new galleries.................

Finally completed Earth and Fire Application and managed, almost, to create my own disc, converting the images on Photoshop. Only phoned Gaby 5 times and got her up to my computer twice.

This has been hugely challenging for me, gut wrenching - stomach clenching.

Packing for Blackthorpe Barn, Bury St Edmunds tomorrow and off there for the next 2 weekends.