Hi there and welcome back, another month passes us by so quickly!

While of course, here in my little pottery studio…

It's all about clay!

“Is it Lindt? Or maybe a Lindor moment!"

Orrrrr, perhaps…

Is it that deep, delicious ‘high fired’ red earthenware clay beside it!

The clay I choose to use is so delicious it can seem almost edible!

Like a rich, creamy chocolate. It's so smooth and an absolute dream to work with.

Once fired to 984°c it becomes a lovely red terracotta, which complements the special glazes I use for the colour combinations.

February has been a month of exploring the techniques of making platesand understanding how the clay responds when compressed, without it cracking or absorbing too much water.

Learning this process can't be rushed.

It takes time and the pace of each stage of the making process is crucial.

Clay is such a wonderful, mysterious material to work with. It's this ‘tuning into’ these unique qualities through touch and connecting to the pot that makes it what it is.

It's less of a ‘thought’ process and more of a ‘feeling’ process.

Nothing gets wasted either because the clay can be recycled and reclaimed again and again.

Anyway…

At this time of year there's a hint of spring in the air. Although it's still a bit wintery, there's a soft, misty hue across the Bay as the light shifts from one season to the next.

It's often a quieter time in Morecambe to stroll along the prom and absorb the Bay views, which is always a great space for inspiration to me.

I've also enjoyed being out in the fresh air recently while enjoying some homemade borscht beetroot soup using one of my pottery cups..

The colour of the soup looks so vibrant in the cup doesn't it! (Kind of like the colours in my cardigan!).

And in a little while...

When you see the finished products, I'm sure you'll agree, just how lovely the clay and the glazes work together… (kind of like coffee and dark chocolate... or Borscht ;).

Also, as I promised last month...

Here’s the cardigan I designed and made the ceramic buttons for it too.

Let me know what you think.

Almost time to go now...

I'm steadily building a collection of pots together, so it won't be long now before you can buy one of these delights from my Morecambe Bay pottery.

It's all in the timing :)

Stay tuned!

With Love,

Abi.

Abi Alston