A couple of weekends ago Christopher and I visited the Earth and Fire International Ceramic fair at Welbeck. We had purchased tickets well in advance, and were very excited at seeing so many different artists in clay. The weather was fantastic, the exhibitors were friendly and helpful and we were really looking forward to seeing some innovative ideas.
We honestly believed that we could just look and not buy, because after all we have a pottery in our back garden; and on the first day we managed to keep our money in our wallets. We discussed different glazing and firing techniques with some very knowledgeable people and gazed at some beautiful arrangements - here are some highlights.
We honestly believed that we could just look and not buy, because after all we have a pottery in our back garden; and on the first day we managed to keep our money in our wallets. We discussed different glazing and firing techniques with some very knowledgeable people and gazed at some beautiful arrangements - here are some highlights.
This is Richard St John Heeley's work. The presentation boxes are great, and the effects are achieved with a cobalt oxide mix.
This was one of Christopher's favourites - the artist is Meri Wells, and the figures are a Catalonian choir. The mouth of each singer has a gag over it, showing you can make a strong political statement using clay. Meri Wells is a lovely lady with lots of interesting figures for sale.
Each exhibitor had their own unique selling point; some were a bit too much for me, but in different ways. Here are two examples:
Each exhibitor had their own unique selling point; some were a bit too much for me, but in different ways. Here are two examples:
I find Ben Fosker's work too childlike, while Jin Eui Kim's work to me looks like it has been factory-made. However, these are only my opinions, and the beauty of the craft fair was that there was something for everyone; if you like ceramics. I do.
Christopher loves to combine wood and clay, and so we spent a lot of time talking to David Wright who uses salvaged and found wood to complete his pots.
They are lovely, but his prices were a bit too much for us, so I will make do with Christopher's work
By the end of our first day we had visited every stall, collected postcards and business cards, and realised that we couldn't leave without buying something. We agreed we would spend the next day choosing one piece each. This is one of the pieces I liked
It is a monumental piece by Stephen Parry.
The next day we wandered round again, and while we were looking for our special pieces we also had a good look at the way the potters displayed their wares.
The next day we wandered round again, and while we were looking for our special pieces we also had a good look at the way the potters displayed their wares.
After intense discussion, and despite insisting and agreeing that we could make our own mugs, we decided to buy six mugs. Although we said we would only buy one thing each, we couldn't decide between our favourite three potters - and you have to have a pair of mugs don't you?
So our favourites were Matthew Blakely, Stephen Parry and Russell Kingston. The prices ranged from £15 to £30 which I think is cheap for handmade unique items.
On our return home Christopher spent the week creating a display unit to connect our kitchen and dining area and keep our Earth and Fire mugs safe. I mixed up some cobalt oxide with some mud and water. We both have our talents.
On our return home Christopher spent the week creating a display unit to connect our kitchen and dining area and keep our Earth and Fire mugs safe. I mixed up some cobalt oxide with some mud and water. We both have our talents.
The names of all the exhibitors can be found on the Earth and Fire website as well as information about next year and a lot of other interesting stuff.