To all you established potters out there the firing up of a kiln is no great occasion. To a first timer there is a great deal of trepidation in turning on this 6kw oven. There are a number of worries, such as; tripping the house electrical supply, overheating circuits, the kiln not working or even bursting into flames. This first firing, as per manufacturer’s instructions, was performed this week, to dry out the lining of the kiln and associated furniture. It all went according to the plan with no disasters. I can now look forward to my first French thrown pots going for biscuit firing when I have a kiln-full. I have also trialled a maker’s mark on the base of a couple of new pots, based on the Brittany heraldic symbol of Hermine. To find out more see the Maker’s Mark page.
Scarva
Let Pottery commence
It is exactly a year since buying the house in France and I have thrown my first pots on French soil. Many thanks to all those who have helped along the way and without whom this would not have been possible, Suzie my wife, Nick the builder, Teresa and Brendan of Scarva.com, Bruce the electrician, Brendan the fellow Huelgoat potter, and neighbours and friends who have offered encouragement along the way. From the blank canvas of March I now have a new 75 ltr kiln and a ventilated kiln area. I have a sink area, with clay trap (patent pending) and space for for glazes and decorating There is a work-station by the window with the wheel Finally a solid wood Breton dining table to serve for wedging clay etc. Thanks again to Jo Dove for her continued support from afar……
Blank canvas
It is the 1st of March 2019, I have ordered my kiln and my wheel alongside a range of other equipment, tools, clay, glazes and oxides etc. I will of course have forgotten some things, but I will discover what these are as the weeks go by and I look about me for some essential tool that my evening class tutor, Jo Dove, would have had secreted about her studio in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, UK – http://www.jodoveceramics.co.uk I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jo for her inspiration, patience and mentoring over the past 10 years, which have allowed me to take these first steps in setting up my own workspace here in Huelgoat, Brittany, France. http://www.mairie-huelgoat.fr/index.html The space I have is generous for a potter looking to set up from scratch. We have a detached house with a sous-sol (basement) which is supplied with electricity, water and natural light.