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Sally Moss in the
Ceramic Crafts studio
at Arreton Barns on the Isle of Wight |
I first discovered my love of clay at the
Martin Ward Ceramics Studio in Worcestershire where I attended a weekly
evening class. Within a very short period of time I knew I had found
my true vocation. After about four years of tuition I went outand
bought all the equipment I needed to set myself up as a potter. I
soon discovered it was not that easy and I had very little knowledge of
how to use a kiln, what type of clay to use, how to glaze, how to make
glazes etc; the list was endless. I checked to see if the local
college ran ceramic classes and to my delight I found they did! I
enrolled that day on a City and Guilds pottery and ceramics course and it
was great fun, and as I let my mind wander and produce more complex works
the academic side of studies became easy as I was loving the whole
experience.
In 1995 I started selling my work to
local shops and craft centres and the response was very rewarding with
many re-orders and commissions being requested. Soon this part time
hobby was looking as if it could become a business venture, so with the
help of my husband I converted the garage into a fully equipped studio.
I knew it would not be the ideal solution for more than a few years as the
business was growing steadily and the garage was too small for my aims and
ideas.
In 1999 I moved to a larger studio and
workshop in a Midlands craft centre where I could finally apply all my
ideas, now not only could I make, demonstrate and sell my pottery, but I
could teach in the clay workshop and organise clay play days for children
as well (kids love working with clay).
I spent two happy years at the
studio/workshop in the midlands but I was getting itchy feet again; I
wanted to move to an area with more potential, where more customers and
children would come into the studio. The choice wasn't hard really -
after coming to the Island year in year out for our family holidays, we
decided to move the business to the Island.
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Baby Dragon |
My work has changed over the years and with
the increased demand for my products my pottery techniques have improved.
I started with a fantasy theme, making mushrooms and witches houses, I
then produced larger mushrooms, mushroom oil burners, lamps, water
features and planters and with the fantasy theme came fairies, dragons and
pixies.I try to keep with this theme but I am frequently asked to
carry out special commissions and design original and elaborate house name
signs.
Due to the continued success of the pottery my husband now has to help.
He makes all the glazes (currently experimenting with new colours and
contrasts) glazes all the pottery and fires the kiln, leaving me to
concentrate on the making.
On the technical side, the clay we use is a stonewear clay which is buff in
colour. We fire the electric kiln to 1,250 degrees centigrade; this
makes the pottery very tough and frost resistant. The glazes are
made using a formulation which includes Cornish stone / whiting and the
colours are obtained using varying quantities of minerals and irons.
After the success of the clay play area at the last studio in the Midlands
we just had to open an area for people to have a go at modelling
themselves at Arreton. For this purpose we have decided to use
air-dry clay, which does not require firing in a kiln so you can make and
take away your finished product. It can then be painted and
varnished using any suitable (child friendly) paints. We have all
the materials necessary at Arreton Barns and all the know-how and ideas
for people to copy or they can have a go at making their own designs.
The clay play area will be open every day during the school summer
holidays and week-ends from 11am to 4pm. Look forward to seeing you
in the studio.
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