Slip testing

This week I've been experimenting with Slip Testing.

To create a standard ceramic slip I blend up some of the same clay body the slip is going to be applied to with lots of added water to a thick creamy consistency; which then gets sieved.

*Another way to create slip is to dry out clay then add water to turn it into a liquid.

 I measure out the slip into litre's (1000ml)then add the percentage of coloured stain / oxide to the slip. This particular clay is a sandy coloured buff stoneware, to get a strong colour I add 10% to the slip. 

You can use less stain to achieve lighter colours, the percentage you use depends on the clay body you're applying it to and the finish you wish to achieve. If your using oxides, they are much stronger than stains so the percentage is likely to be less.

As you can see I have done 2 tiles of each colour, this is because I shall glaze 1 tile of each colour so I have reference to the colour without glaze. When you apply glaze it enhances the slip's colour and it becomes much brighter. The colour difference would be from a pastel shade to a bright strong colour.

 The remains of the tiles I made are left on the fabric, I love seeing this as it reminds me of the tiling that can be created with the pieces I've cut out.

Which do you prefer to add colour to your slips, oxides or stains?

Weather proofing has begun!

This winter is predicted to get really cold, my workshop is a loglap cabin, well insulated with heat/cold proof protected plaster board and insulation lining; I pulled out all the stops to keep my workshop warm and weather proof.

I'd done well, until this November temperatures have dropped and the glazes which are in air tight plastic tubs are covered in condensation and tiny ice particles are showing in the liquid!

Weather proofing has begun!

I've brought some plastic storage boxes and to make the contents safe from the weather I'm lining them with insulation roll; it’s actually used for insulating attics, it keeps cool in summer and warm in winter.

I used 'ThermaWrap Loft Insulation' and Clear Packaging tape from Screwfix.

First I did the easiest part as it involved less cutting, The lid was easy only using one large piece, making sure that once stuck the lid still fit securely on the box.

I lined the three largest sides with one long piece; then I taped around every edge with clear packing tape to seal each edge and attach in place.

Next I cut out the two end pieces, overlapping the sides by an inch so there was no box showing; they also got taped into place.

Heat / Cold / Damp proof storage box finished! Just another 5 to go!

How do you protect your materials in the warm summer/cold winter months? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Autumn Colours inspiring glaze tests

The best bit about Autumn has got to be the change in season, Autumn turning into winter. Yes its FREEZING and the weather is mostly miserable... but the nature is just glorious!

I just love walking out in nature and seeing the change, the colours transform to beautiful shades of auburn, yellows and reds; who needs to find inspiration for creative work on the internet when its right there outside.

I wasn't out in a beautiful park, I was actually at the hospital, but it goes to show you can find inspiration anywhere.

I seen the most stunningly coloured bush amidst the dying trees losing their leaves for the winter was this bush ablaze with colour, it caught my eye and I couldn't help but capture it!

I cant wait to try and capture the colour change in my ceramics.I feel some glaze testing is on its way!

The individual leaves are what I want to inspire some colourful glaze tests.

Glaze Tests in the kiln all ready to go!

The Great British Pottery Throw Down

I'm very excited that the next new show to hit our TV's is 

'The Great British Pottery Throw Down'!

For all you pottery lovers out there (including me) this will be great to watch, and for those of you have never given it a go! It will give you an insight into ceramics and the different processes that are involved, no doubt as with the Great British Bake Off we will see tantrums, complete and utter disasters and of course no doubt some beautiful ceramics.

I can't wait! 

There's a very interesting article in The Guardian, have a read.

If your fingers get twitching at the thought of having a go yourself come along to one of my workshops, I can personalise a workshop session just for you or why not come along with a friend. For more info please visit my website or get in touch!

www.katherinefortnumceramics.com

If your a ceramicist / a potter, would you dare to enter yourself into the competition? I would love it, challenging yourself to do things you thought you'd never attempt 

...minus the fact your on TV live for millions of people to see! 

Autumn Walks in Laughton fields

Its Mid October its my favourite time of year, the leaves starting to fall from the trees, the scatter of conkers, the autumn chill in the air, so peaceful!

Its the perfect time for making use of the great outdoors and do a bit of foraging!

Laughton fields are picturesque and you can hear the animals, its surreal how quiet it is, it takes me back to when I visited there as a child.

We went out searching for chestnuts but we came across these lovelies, Sloeberries ...I think some sloe berry gin is in order and it will be ready just in time for Christmas too!

I think we were a little too early for chestnuts ... they were so small and shriveled! It should be peak season October - November but maybe the seasons are running late this year ...I guess we'll try again in a few weeks.

They were very prickly!

The poor shriveled chestnut ... 

It wasn't a wasted journey though, its always nice to walk in the picturesque fields and I got lots of nature inspiration to try out some new ceramic ideas!

                             

Addicted to glazing!

Glazing is my absolutely favourite part of ceramics, the making process is fun but I just find glazing itself so relaxing! I'm not much of an academic person but there's something about doing all the calculations, testing this and that, take a bit away, add a bit of something else.

  I always practice safety in my ceramics workshop, I wouldn't have it any other way! Apron, gloves and mask are an essential part of work wear safety when working with hazardous materials.

As you can see below, I use digital scales, precision in weighing is key, I have the sets of scales;1 for large quantities, 1 which measures to two decimals and another which measures to 3.

My latest testing unintentionally turned out to be smiley faces!

As you can see ...I never get enough of testing! 

So many glazes so little time!!!

Christmas Ceramics Workshop

This November I'll be running a large group Ceramic Workshop, in which we'll be creating a handmade Ceramic Christmas decoration. 

If you have any questions or would like to book a place please contact Katherine

at Conservative Club Function Room, The Conservative Club, The Lilacs, Fairfield Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England, LE16 9QQ

*You don’t need to be a Conservative club member to attend the event, feel free to invite friends & family!

To check out some of the decorations made in our previous workshops please visit the Facebook event page!

https://www.facebook.com/events/604318426383233/

Made with Katherine Fortnum Ceramics Workshops

Craft & Gift Fair, Lamport Hall, Leicestershire, October 10th & 11th 2015

This October I'll be selling my handmade ceramics at the historic Lamport Hall, it should be a fantastic weekend full of handmade goodies, gifts, food & drink!

There's lots of lovely things to see so make sure you come visit! I'll be in the stables so come say hi!

Once again the Gift & Craft Fair returns to Lamport Hall.

With over 80 stalls showcasing jewellery, decorative glassware, jams, chutneys and fudge, and other gifts, visitors are able to browse a variety of indulgent treats for themselves or seek inspiration for some early Christmas shopping.

The fair has been a yearly fixture for over twenty years, and is sure to be a great day out for all the family. 

Refreshments including coffee, mulled wine, mince pies, hog roast and more available. Parking is free. 

£3.50 for adults, £3 for concessions, and £1.50 for children aged 11-16

Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northamptonshire, NN6 9HD

New Creations!

I felt a bit stuck in a rut keeping making the same old trusty home wares, the usual ...coasters,vases. So I decided I'd stretch my imagination and try something I'd never made before.

So as I sat at my sketchbook I began designing, fingers twitching to get making asap!

I've seen them everywhere and they're so pretty, luminaries! There's just something so magical about the way it illuminates the room, the patterns dancing around creating shadows.

Ceramic Luminary in process Greenware Stage, Hand built White Stoneware, Katherine Fortnum 2015 , photograph by Katherine Fortnum 

So the process began with a slabbed vessel then I used a variety of specialised ceramic tools to cut out holes, the beginnings of a pattern began to emerge...

The full process of creating the finished piece took all day, here's the finished piece (at green ware stage) ...far from over but its looking good!

Ceramic Luminary Greenware Stage, Hand built White Stoneware, Katherine Fortnum 2015, photograph by Katherine Fortnum 

Fresh out of the kiln, the colour transformation in the clay body becomes much lighter as the moisture has been removed from the clay during the drying process and the bisque firing.

Ceramic Luminaries, Hand built White Stoneware, Katherine Fortnum 2015
photograph by Katherine Fortnum 

I'm so pleased with how they turned out I'm tempted to keep one for myself! 

I had a really busy next few weeks with preparing stock for upcoming (dare I say the word!) Christmas fairs, it took me nearly a month to test them out! Here's the finished pieces in all their glory!

The way they illuminate the patterns around the room is just magical! I'll have a variety of different patterned handmade luminaries to purchase at my upcoming Christmas Fairs, I look forward to meeting you there :)

(upcoming Christmas fairs listed on my website)

Ceramic Luminary, Hand built White Stoneware, Katherine Fortnum 2015
photograph by Katherine Fortnum 

Organising my Ceramics workshop!

I love saving all my favourite images all neatly listed in folders on Pinterst (as everyone does) ...dreaming that one day I WILL BE ORGANISED and have a beautiful ceramics workshop, where I knowwhere everything is!

Well I decided it will happen!

It all started with a sketch, I will regain some storage room!

I already had heavy duty wooden shelves in my workshop but I wanted a way to hide away all the stuff whilst orgsanising and utalising space, so I decided I'd add deep wooden doors to the shelves and store things in them!

Once tested they fit well I had to take the doors off again as it was proving fiddly to get things attached while vertical!

I designated a space for each tool ...well as many as I could fit on at least! 

Soo many tools!

The finished door all hung up, that's one side down, door 2 to go!

Mural for my cousins nursery

My cousin is expecting her first baby in about August time, she found out she's going to have a little baby girl ...so planning has begun!

All the nappies and little outfits are piling up, next thing was to start planning the nursery. As she's expecting a little girl of the course the colour theme has to be pink!

My cousin decided she'd like to decorate the room with a pink blossom tree, I thought it was a lovely idea as its suitable for years as she grows up. Being the artistic one in the family I obviously offered to help.

I began with sketching the tree freehand on the bedroom wall

That's me sketching away, photo courtesy of my cousin

Whilst I was preparing to get started on the blossom flowers her cat (who had been around our feet the whole time, very interested in the commotion) seemed to think the tree was real and sat considering a way to climb up it! At least it shown I can draw a good realistic tree!

After drawing the blossoms cascading on the tree I started painting them one by one, I had a helping hand as the blossoms ended up taking an entire day!

 Day 1 of painting complete, all the blossoms are painted nicely using an array of hand mixed paints, I think it looks great! Just the tree to paint next!

An insider glimpse

I thought I'd share an insider glimpse into how I create my ceramics.

I create my pieces using a range of hand building techniques, exploring details on both large and small scale. Every individual element is constructed one handed!

Here's a collection of images showing the beginnings of pieces in creation.

Each unique piece is extremely challenging and time consuming to make as every element is individually constructed.

Katherine attaching an individual spike to the body of a piece in the progress

Here's a finished piece 'Natural Series #2', its part of the Natural Series Collection, consisting of 11 pieces inspired by delicate structure in nature. 

To view the full collection please visit my website, if you have any inquiries about purchasing or displaying any pieces please get in contact via my website.

Natural Series #2, hand built stoneware, 2013, 25 x 5 x 24 cm Katherine Fortnum, photograph by Nigel Essex

Newly listed on Etsy

Freshly out of my latest glaze firing! First piece to be photographed using my new studio photographing set up! What do you think?

(will post details about photographing booth set up soon)

Newly listed on Etsy, have a look :) 

Untitled, Hand built stoneware, 2015, 

3 x 13 x 15.5cm, Katherine Fortnum, 

photograph by Katherine Fortnum

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/234365268/ceramic-bowl-handmade-unique-nature

New Workshop is finished!

The new extended workshop is now finished! ...on the outside at least!

I've given it a few coats of paint so it matched all over, you'd never know they were two separate!

I absolutely love seeing solar lights in gardens they are so pretty and make any garden more homely and welcoming, so I brought 30ft long solar lights to reach the length of my workshop. I think it looks quite pretty during the day as well!

As a little finishing touch I got a path joining from the patio to my workshop. Its a lot more practical than walking over the grass; especially if its raining! 

My Nanna calls it the yellow brick road!