24 February 2021 (29) - Bread makers, Aeroplanes, Clocks....

Feb 24, 20212 min read

I don't understand why aeroplanes don't fall out of the sky. I used to think that the pope kissed the ground on touchdown because he was relieved at safe landing. I'm sure it was much more symbolic and profound than that!

Similarly, I'm fascinated by clocks. Don't get me wrong, I know there are scientific reasons why both aeroplanes and clocks work, but I continue to be amazed. Quite childlike really I suppose.

My website strapline, is 'Take it slowly'. However, that means keep moving. Just like riding a bicycle, you can move very slowly but you still have to move, otherwise you will fall off.

So, to stop rambling and get to the point; to share my love of clocks from a pottery design point of view.

The first clock I made was about four years ago, for Cherry's sister, who lives in Widdecombe on the Moor; slab built, decorated with oxides

My own sister loves the work of Salvador Dali The clock I made for her speaks for itself I think..

'in my own time....' (my own design)

This week I've finally committed to clay, my modern design, taken from a glass idea above : Tumbling Colors by Nina Cambron) Its designer chose glass for a very good reason. After two weeks toying with set square, card and scissors I decided the only way forward was to get into the clay. I've formed all the pieces now and installed the movement albeit temporarily.

I needed to decide how much larger to make the central spindle hole to allow for shrinkage before bisque firing. I've decorated the pieces with a wash of iron oxide and finished with a matt transparent glaze. Waiting for the kin to cool down at the moment.

Paul Roberts (Isca Woodcrafts) prepared a piece of wood for the wall mount.

Where do bread makers fit in, I hear you ask?

No idea, except that I marvel at them too.

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Realising a Dream..

This is me. Setting out on my journey as a hobbyist potter.

Pottery was an ‘add on’ O level course when I was at school, only offered in the sixth form. In to studying Music and RE to A level, I embarked on pottery ‘O’ level as a bit of light relief. I loved it although I was never particularly good at it. I made a few pots, mainly handbuilding using slabbing and coiling but didn’t really learn much.

What I wanted to do more than anything was throw on the wheel – the school did have a wheel but no one was allowed near it unless they knew what they were doing… an interesting approach to the process of acquiring skill methinks. I do have one of my very first pots – rather crude really, but its mine, with my initials ‘scrauped’ on the base. Over the intervening years, of which there were many, I watched the art of throwing from a distance, always hoping that one day it would happen.

We had bought our little cottage in Halifax in 2009. Six years later the adjoining house became available so we set about creating a home by combining the two halves. The ‘under-dwelling’, a feature of a number of houses in that area of West Yorkshire was a real gem; we converted into a pottery studio for me and there began my journey. I enrolled on a course in Springhead. Oldham and my amazingly talented pottery teacher, Sue Devine gave me one-to-one tuition in throwing. I bought a pottery wheel and was given a small kiln. My journey had begun – 40 years later!

Twelve month ago, my partner and I moved to Newport in South Wales. I am most fortunate have a pottery studio here. Why Andante Ceramics? Well, I work slowly, I go with the flow, I create no deadlines for my self. My world of clay is completely self-asbsorbing and tomorrow, if I am fortunate to have one, is another day.

My media pages give a flavour of what I do and my blog documents my thoughts as I journey through the wonderful world of pottery and ceramics. I wont sell any of my work but I delight in making pieces specifically for friends; I love the challenge that creating bespoke pieces bring. If you would like me to make something special do please ask.

Wendy Diamond

24 February 2021 (29) - Bread makers, Aeroplanes, Clocks....

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24 February 2021 (29) - Bread makers, Aeroplanes, Clocks....

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