Hello my dear friends,
I wanted to just check in with you all before Christmas. You don’t need me to tell you that its been one hell of a year… so I won’t. But what I do want to say is a huge thank you! Thank you to everyone here, my dear subscribers, for sticking by my little business and supporting me. I thought I’d write up a small journal of how my ceramics business grew in such uncertain times.
I’ve been a ceramicist for a couple of years but it was never my main business. At the start of this year I was running my flower and interiors shop in Ampthill and selling my pottery too. I did find it hard to find the time to make my ceramics and run a shop full time but every time I made things they flew off the shelves. My shop was so tiny, it didn’t even have a staff room and there wasn’t any space to create ceramics at the property so in February I closed my doors to look for somewhere bigger. Little did any of us no what was around the corner. I had a couple of weeks off to recharge my batteries and look for a new premises then I felt really unwell, this went on for all of March. By mid March we we’re going into lockdown and I was certain I had already got covid. I was in bed for a week but it left me with zero energy, I do however no how lucky I am to be sitting here now writing this. After I was poorly I didn’t want to do anything but make things out of clay.
I was soon feeling so much better and enjoying doing pottery full time. All I have wanted for the past couple of years is to make pottery my full time job, I think if it hadn’t been for the virus I may never have done it, well, not for a long time anyway.
I redesigned my website and became more sociable on Instagram and the rest is history. Despite this year, I have managed to be published as an artist in a magazine. And had my work in three exhibitions. Not to mention become full time in a job I love! I really couldn’t of done it without you!
It hasn’t been without some other mishaps though. When my kiln broke down this summer I thought it was game over and I was without a kiln for a while (they are mega expensive). My beautiful new kiln Rodney arrived a few months back and he is my new best friend, I love him, he’s so shiny.
My wobbly teacups have been my best seller this year. I have loved adapting them too and giving them pretty gold polka dot dresses. The end of this year I have shifted more towards a porcelain clay which I can make fine flowers from. I love my garden and adore flowers so I’m over the moon at being able to develop these skills. I have some big ideas for next year which I cant wait to make and share with you.
I’m also taking part in an online brocante in the new year, I will keep you posted of course. After Christmas that is what I will be working on. It’s taking place the last weekend of January.
I’ve made so many new friends this year through my ceramics and I love talking to you all and getting messages when your things arrive. I love it when you post them in your home too!
So 2021… Well I have plans to decorate my studio so I can do workshops although I’m not sure when yet. I would love to have a stall at a real time brocante. Hopefully I will be doing some more exhibitions too! One thing I hope is to continue being a full time potter and providing you with very pretty pottery in chalky whites and pinks. I can’t wait to get into 2021! I pray that this time next year we’ll be able to go out out and celebrate with family and friends. Stay safe my dear friends.
I wish you a Happy Christmas and a very healthy Happy New Year!
Emma xx