Back story
I am a potter working with stoneware in rural Norfolk, England. I regularly fire an electric kiln for quick turnover of work and once or twice a year I fire with wood and soda. With a degree in ceramics from Farnham I worked for Douglas Phillips at Ridge Pottery, Queen Camel and John Leach at Muchelney, Somerset followed by two years as a production thrower at A. & J. Young Pottery in Norfolk. Now with my own pottery at Cuckoo Cottage, Alby, I make wheel-thrown pots that I hope you will love to cook with, eat and drink from, and display around your home.
Here is a lovely interview with John Leach (1939-2021) that is well worth watching.
Wood fired stoneware
I raw fire my wood fired work to around 1280°c in my kiln during a firing that can last up to 30 hours. The oxygen-greedy flame leaves flashes of warm orange and speckles of melted ash on the bare clay, contrasting with the glazed surfaces. I introduce soda directly into the kiln over a period of 5 hours. This leaves a lustrous glow that can build to a true ‘orange peel’ texture. Each pot is unique, showing visible evidence of its position in the kiln throughout the firing.
Dates for 2023
Events
Open Studios, North Norfolk
27, 28, 29 May and 2, 3, 4 June
Aldborough Village Fayre
25 June
PotFest Haughley Park
11, 12, 13 August
PotFest Melton Mowbray
4, 5, 6 November
Stockists
Gallery 10
Alby Crafts & Gardens NR11 7QE
Octagon Contemporary Crafts
35E Mere Street Diss IP22 4AD
The Old Workshop Gallery
Corpusty NR11 6QP
Craftco
High Street Southwold IP18 6AE
Honesty Stall at my Studio
Cuckoo Cottage NR11 7PR