big things afoot

big things are happening in my studio...

1.  a small kiln is sitting there waiting to be connected

isn't it great, all shiny and new!

2. a big hole has been made for the exhaust fan, not an easy job but my son is a tradesman and has the right tools for the job

3.  The walls are going to be rendered and painted so Everything has to be moved!

this is a bit fuzzy sorry but you get the idea

so it could be a while before the kiln is connected but it will sit patiently while the space around it is done up to match its shiny new look.  In the mean time I can go to the local art centre, Hazelhurst and do some work there.

I threw these bowls there this week and they should be in a firing on Monday I hope. (bisque).

Some of you will know I run a Facebook Group called Anna's Aussie Ceramics and while not a big group people who do belong seem to like it.  We just reached our 500 th Liker and a ceramic company called Interdec Australia donated a prize - wasn't that great.  AND they are going to send me a prize too, so watch this space for more details.

I'll be at Cronulla again next Sunday 7 December with the Port Hacking Potters so do drop by and bring your friends and family and buy a Christmas gift that is unique and made locally.  We will be in the mall near the flag pole. Hope to see you there.

A Stall and a student exhibition

Yesterday I took part in the PHPG stall at Cronulla.  We were so lucky with the weather.  Very hot off the coast, getting up to 38 degrees Celsius while it was perhaps 5 degrees less on the beach and we had a nice sea breeze.

Not a lot of sales of our work however we did sell quite a few raffle tickets to raise funds for the group which is part of the purpose of this event.

During the week I made some new jewellery pieces and hope to make some more before the next stall on the 7 December. That one will be in the mall at Cronulla.

On Saturday my husband and I attended the Kurranulla celebrations in Jannali.  We purchased an artwork as a gift and was able to listen to Col Hardy and his band with some impromptu clap stick players joining in.  Great to see people having a good time.

Then we visited the local hardware store to check out their shelving for my studio... more to come about that as things progress

During the week I also attended the Opening of the graduate exhibition at the Gymea Ceramic Design Studios - some wonderful creative works on show including this one by Natalie Burn..

and here is something pretty I saw during my wanderings last week:

Have a good week and perhaps I'll see you on Facebook?

Market stall with Port Hacking Potters

This Sunday I expect to be with other members of the Port Hacking Potters Group at a community event at Cronulla.

The event is to allow a venue for community groups such as ours to promote ourselves, sell our wares and also sell raffle tickets for a great selection of prizes.

It is called the Cooks Community Classic and includes an ocean swim event!

Here is a link: http://cookcommunityclassic.com.au/

The forecast is for a very hot day so I'll be taking some frozen drinks with me!

If you come by do make yourself known to me.  I will have a few new pieces you might like too.

Always visit a potter if you can..

I've been away from home for a couple of weeks visiting The Great Ocean Road in Victoria and the '12 Apostles' as they are known.
It is a big tourist draw and its not hard to see why... very unusual landscape and the road was built by returned soldiers to give them work and help them to return to civilian life after WW1.

Further along the road is this outcrop aptly named "London Bridge" which fell down in this case many ages ago... sorry I don't have the exact detail of which geographical time it was.  It shows how the Apostle formations came about with softer layers of rock being worn away by the sea and wind which rolls in directly from Antarctica.

Where we stayed was very close to a pottery called Angledean Pottery.  Here is a link about the studio:Angledean Pottery

I had a lovely time looking around his workshop and studio and learning about the history of their business which is a husband and wife team.  They have expanded their craft and now also do glass slumping and he is learning blacksmithing to be able to make metal sculptures.. well worth the visit and we came away with some nice mugs and a glass coaster to add to our collection.

Do call by if you are in the area.

Before we left the area we also visited the Qdos Arts Centre at Lorne.
Very interesting place with an anamaga kiln. Potter, Graeme Wilkie is in charge.

There are also many sculptures in the garden and a nice gallery and a cafe.  The kiln was in the process of being refurbished and the potter was taken up with that so not able to chat with us that day but we enjoyed our visit anyway. They run many arts events there and even have some accommodation.

a view of the gallery

 The beautiful and intricately decorated pots on display were by the Internationally recognised artist, Alexandra Copeland.  Here is a link for more about her : Alexandra Copeland

more of the gallery

one of the sculptures

the entrance driveway

So if you have been wondering why things have been quiet this is why.  Plus I've have been contemplating some new focus for my own designs... more in the weeks to come.