No Rain Here Yet
More rain on the way we are told but at the moment it's dry here in the fens, looking across the flat lands all you see is that rich dark damp soil that this area is known for, after the heavy rains we have had the last few days everywhere looks so green and refreshed in the garden, the hedgerows are alive with birds and the dykes (drains) are fast flowing and full, everything you expect in a fenland autumn.
These last two mornings just haven't seemed the same without my mate being there next to me when I open the barn, I wish I had a pound for every time I looked around to see him sleeping in the barn while I sit at my torch. Thank you all for the kind words and text messages about Marley, the good news is that Sam, our Old English Sheep dog looks like he is taking over, he follows me everywhere and has his nose in everything tho I do catch him sitting looking around for Marley.
Yesterday was a good productive day here with a morning spent making sets for etsy and ebay and the afternoon was a bowl throwing session, I'm hoping to get lots of bowl sets made ready for the christmas period as I'm sure they would be an handy pressie. I was so pleased to see one of the first Saxon disc pendants sold last night, I made some last week and wasn't really sure they would appeal to customers but it seems they will be liked, tho they are large in size there is something I like about them, I love making them as I turn them on my wheel and every one is different in size and thickness, and of course the finish is one I adore, I'm not using any glaze on them just glass frit which means I have no idea what they will look like when I open the kiln. I may mix glass and glaze together in the coming weeks to see how they turn out but at the moment the glass finish gives them something very unique and of course the colours have that natural feel that I love.
Today will be another morning spent on my torch and yet another afternoon throwing and trimming bowls, I hope to make a few more Saxon discs too but will have to see how time goes. I need to get as much done today as possible as tomorrow I get to visit my aunt in Ashwell which means no work until tomorrow evening.
Ok, I better get back to my flame and see what magic the glass can show me today.
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
I Will Miss Him Loads
My Marley Passed Away Yesterday
It was a sad day here yesterday with my best mate Marley passing away in the morning, I know he was just a dog to most people but to me that black lab was a best friend who was by my side for the last 11 years and I don't mind admitting I will miss him a huge amount, already do.
It was only fitting that I buried him in the garden yesterday afternoon as the rain lashed down here in the fens, more than anything he loved going out walking in the rain with me, so how better way for me to lay him to rest. However many times you lose a pet, in my case dogs, it still gets to you when you stand and lower them into the ground, however big or tough you think you are that tear always appears when you see them wrapped up laying in that hole, just something we all go through at some stage in our lives.
I have to say it was nice to think he won't suffer any more now but I will miss the cuddles and him sitting next to me when for some strange reason he always seemed to know I was a little down, amazing how they know when your not happy, yes all in all I'll miss my mate a lot.
On a brighter note there is much going on here at the barn, new beads are being listed on ebay, not just focals but also bead sets that are listed on auction, most I list in the ebay shop are "buy it now" sale beads so I thought it was about time I started listing a few on auction again, the second batch will be listed this evening. On the ceramic side of things I'm making a lot of items which I hope to start listing this week, a lot of candle lamps which I hope would be ideal for Christmas gift ideas and there will be more kitchen items such as bowls and tableware.
I must admit I'm beginning to think more about the winter and how we can work in the colder month without freezing as in years passed, It looks like it boils down to electric heaters this year as the plan to find a small second hand wood burner stove I'm afraid just won't be possible this year, funds just won't reach that far and yes I know it would save a fortune on electric but it's just not possible. Sometimes we just need to bide our time and hope that in the future we can get these things sorted, until then it looks very much like another winter with hot water bottles and extra layers for this bead maker.
However much I enjoy looking out at the snow and rain, the thoughts of the cold is not one I'm looking forward to, I guess some people are lucky and work from their home all dry and warm, others like us have a great space to work in but have to live with problems like the cold in winter, we can't have everything in life and to be honest I feel that I shouldn't moan, tho working in gloves may be a problem haha !
Ok, back to my torch and making beads, this afternoon I'll be throwing bowls on my wheel and later this evening it's photographing and listing for me, I hope you all enjoy your day and if your facing yet more rain I wish you luck.
It was a sad day here yesterday with my best mate Marley passing away in the morning, I know he was just a dog to most people but to me that black lab was a best friend who was by my side for the last 11 years and I don't mind admitting I will miss him a huge amount, already do.
It was only fitting that I buried him in the garden yesterday afternoon as the rain lashed down here in the fens, more than anything he loved going out walking in the rain with me, so how better way for me to lay him to rest. However many times you lose a pet, in my case dogs, it still gets to you when you stand and lower them into the ground, however big or tough you think you are that tear always appears when you see them wrapped up laying in that hole, just something we all go through at some stage in our lives.
I have to say it was nice to think he won't suffer any more now but I will miss the cuddles and him sitting next to me when for some strange reason he always seemed to know I was a little down, amazing how they know when your not happy, yes all in all I'll miss my mate a lot.
On a brighter note there is much going on here at the barn, new beads are being listed on ebay, not just focals but also bead sets that are listed on auction, most I list in the ebay shop are "buy it now" sale beads so I thought it was about time I started listing a few on auction again, the second batch will be listed this evening. On the ceramic side of things I'm making a lot of items which I hope to start listing this week, a lot of candle lamps which I hope would be ideal for Christmas gift ideas and there will be more kitchen items such as bowls and tableware.
I must admit I'm beginning to think more about the winter and how we can work in the colder month without freezing as in years passed, It looks like it boils down to electric heaters this year as the plan to find a small second hand wood burner stove I'm afraid just won't be possible this year, funds just won't reach that far and yes I know it would save a fortune on electric but it's just not possible. Sometimes we just need to bide our time and hope that in the future we can get these things sorted, until then it looks very much like another winter with hot water bottles and extra layers for this bead maker.
However much I enjoy looking out at the snow and rain, the thoughts of the cold is not one I'm looking forward to, I guess some people are lucky and work from their home all dry and warm, others like us have a great space to work in but have to live with problems like the cold in winter, we can't have everything in life and to be honest I feel that I shouldn't moan, tho working in gloves may be a problem haha !
Ok, back to my torch and making beads, this afternoon I'll be throwing bowls on my wheel and later this evening it's photographing and listing for me, I hope you all enjoy your day and if your facing yet more rain I wish you luck.
Monday, 17 September 2012
Lampwork And Ceramic Bead Day
A Day Of Beads Here At The Barn
After a weekend spent photographing beads and trying out new ceramic ideas, it was back to my torch this morning with the sun pouring in the widow what must have been every bird in the fens feeding on the stations outside. It's funny how they always seem to brighten up any day and this last couple of days with the worry of Marley playing around with my head it's nice to take my mind off things by watching the finches showing their second brood how to feed.
We had a few weeks when we couldn't afford to buy bird seed and the garden seemed so empty without the little fellows, now at last we obtained a sack of food for them and tho it took a couple of days for them to return, at last they are all back, like players in some grand show they make my days pass with such pleasure.
This afternoon I was in the clay room rolling ceramic beads and forming disc beads, I have bisque pieces to glaze later in the week and more wind chimes to produce, so all in all it's going to be another busy week here at the barn.
For those of you who were asking after Marley I thank you and I'm afraid it's not great news, he as not been great this last few days and to be honest it may soon be time to call in the vet, the last thing I want is to watch my best friend suffer, at the moment he is eating and drinking but getting very weak, we'll see how things go over the next few days.
Well it's been a long day and a cuppa is needed while I spend an hour with my sketch book.
After a weekend spent photographing beads and trying out new ceramic ideas, it was back to my torch this morning with the sun pouring in the widow what must have been every bird in the fens feeding on the stations outside. It's funny how they always seem to brighten up any day and this last couple of days with the worry of Marley playing around with my head it's nice to take my mind off things by watching the finches showing their second brood how to feed.
We had a few weeks when we couldn't afford to buy bird seed and the garden seemed so empty without the little fellows, now at last we obtained a sack of food for them and tho it took a couple of days for them to return, at last they are all back, like players in some grand show they make my days pass with such pleasure.
This afternoon I was in the clay room rolling ceramic beads and forming disc beads, I have bisque pieces to glaze later in the week and more wind chimes to produce, so all in all it's going to be another busy week here at the barn.
For those of you who were asking after Marley I thank you and I'm afraid it's not great news, he as not been great this last few days and to be honest it may soon be time to call in the vet, the last thing I want is to watch my best friend suffer, at the moment he is eating and drinking but getting very weak, we'll see how things go over the next few days.
Well it's been a long day and a cuppa is needed while I spend an hour with my sketch book.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Monday Blues, No Way !!
Kilns To Empty And Beads To Make
Why on earth would I have the Monday morning blues when I have beads to make and kilns to empty, the ceramic kiln will I hope be ready to empty after lunch with some new items in there, I just hope they turn out ok. It's ok making new pieces but after the addition of glazes and that final firing it's really time to cross fingers and see what results I get, as I've said before, unlike the lampwork beads with ceramics you really don't know what the colours will turn out like, yes you have an idea but even small things like the position they are taking up in the kiln can make a huge difference.
I have a number of beads to make this morning including both focals and sets for the etsy shop, and we have post to pack and post, so a trip to the local post office will give us a treat, I do sometimes wonder if people realise just how important some of these little village post offices are to people, we send all our orders from a tiny post office in a neighbouring village, it saves those trips to the town and those busy offices where your just a customer and often you don't even get a smile.
Another quiet morning here in the fens with the schools back and the morning rush hour over we can all settle back to work after such a great weekend, the sunshine is filling the garden already and it looks like another warm day for us here in Norfolk.
I'm hoping to tidy up the clay room later today which I'm really not looking forward to, I guess it's a man thing, we are great at making a mess but so so good at cleaning one up, maybe we need to get back to the caves and days out hunting food, I'm sure most wives would agree. We had another hour or two working on getting the barn ready for visitors this weekend tho we are still not ready to paint yet, it seems to take up so much time sorting out all the treasure we find in every cupboard and box, there are bowls and jars everywhere holding beads, glass and findings, we were hoping to have it done by now but it's a matter of finding the time between working. Often it's gone seven by the time we pack up for the day and after starting most mornings well before eight it leaves you wanting to just sit and relax in the evenings, yes I know I should just get in there and get it done but you have to remember, no work, no money and as most of you know things have never been so slow here sales wise so every hour we get is focused on production at the moment.
Ok, off to my torch and the rest of the morning playing with my flame tho I'm sure my mind will be on opening that ceramic kiln for most of the time.
Thank you to all who have asked how Marley is doing, he is not great and is looking very thin and old but he is eating some things and drinking ok, he is loving the cuddles and believe me there have been lots of those.
Why on earth would I have the Monday morning blues when I have beads to make and kilns to empty, the ceramic kiln will I hope be ready to empty after lunch with some new items in there, I just hope they turn out ok. It's ok making new pieces but after the addition of glazes and that final firing it's really time to cross fingers and see what results I get, as I've said before, unlike the lampwork beads with ceramics you really don't know what the colours will turn out like, yes you have an idea but even small things like the position they are taking up in the kiln can make a huge difference.
I have a number of beads to make this morning including both focals and sets for the etsy shop, and we have post to pack and post, so a trip to the local post office will give us a treat, I do sometimes wonder if people realise just how important some of these little village post offices are to people, we send all our orders from a tiny post office in a neighbouring village, it saves those trips to the town and those busy offices where your just a customer and often you don't even get a smile.
Another quiet morning here in the fens with the schools back and the morning rush hour over we can all settle back to work after such a great weekend, the sunshine is filling the garden already and it looks like another warm day for us here in Norfolk.
I'm hoping to tidy up the clay room later today which I'm really not looking forward to, I guess it's a man thing, we are great at making a mess but so so good at cleaning one up, maybe we need to get back to the caves and days out hunting food, I'm sure most wives would agree. We had another hour or two working on getting the barn ready for visitors this weekend tho we are still not ready to paint yet, it seems to take up so much time sorting out all the treasure we find in every cupboard and box, there are bowls and jars everywhere holding beads, glass and findings, we were hoping to have it done by now but it's a matter of finding the time between working. Often it's gone seven by the time we pack up for the day and after starting most mornings well before eight it leaves you wanting to just sit and relax in the evenings, yes I know I should just get in there and get it done but you have to remember, no work, no money and as most of you know things have never been so slow here sales wise so every hour we get is focused on production at the moment.
Ok, off to my torch and the rest of the morning playing with my flame tho I'm sure my mind will be on opening that ceramic kiln for most of the time.
Thank you to all who have asked how Marley is doing, he is not great and is looking very thin and old but he is eating some things and drinking ok, he is loving the cuddles and believe me there have been lots of those.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
A Full Day Throwing On The Wheel
Sunday Is Clay Day
Today I get a full day throwing on my wheel and an evening glazing the bisque fired items from last night, it's all go this Sunday and I'm sure I'll enjoy every second of it. I must say after a night with not much sleep and being up and about at dawn, I'm feeling a little tired so if I'm not still working late this evening it won't be a surprise but maybe it will mean I have a good nights sleep to look forward to.
The sun is shining over the fens this morning and it's so quiet, the perfect Sunday morning with the world taking it's time to wake before family days in the garden and trips to the coast, there is something about Sunday that makes you feel relaxed, in my case I guess they were always days when my family worked in the garden, when mornings were spent with the radio on in the kitchen and veg being made ready for Sunday lunch, the smell of roast meat in the oven and my mum making stuffing and Yorkshire puddings. My dad would be finding jobs to do in the veg garden and I would be enjoying some kind of game or drawing in one of many sketch books.
I often wonder how different it would be now if my mum was still with us, I'm sure we would be enjoying those huge roast diners with them, you never ever taste those same tastes when your mum passes and however hard you try you just can't get meals to taste the same.
I remember spending hours helping her in the kitchen, we made pickle together, me chopping all the veg while mum cooked it adding spices of all sorts, how I sometimes wish those days were still here, but I guess life moves on and maybe one day others will remember me in that way.
So, it's clay in my hands today and a list of items I'm hoping to produce, after lunch I hope to empty last nights bisque firing from the kiln, fingers crossed there will be a few nice pieces to glaze. I have bowl sets to make and a few new items to try, with Christmas in mind I've been jotting down a few ideas and I think it's time I started putting them into practise.
Ok, I'm off to wedge some clay then to my wheel, I hope you all enjoy another warn day and get lots done in the garden or better still you enjoy a nice day out with the family.
Today I get a full day throwing on my wheel and an evening glazing the bisque fired items from last night, it's all go this Sunday and I'm sure I'll enjoy every second of it. I must say after a night with not much sleep and being up and about at dawn, I'm feeling a little tired so if I'm not still working late this evening it won't be a surprise but maybe it will mean I have a good nights sleep to look forward to.
The sun is shining over the fens this morning and it's so quiet, the perfect Sunday morning with the world taking it's time to wake before family days in the garden and trips to the coast, there is something about Sunday that makes you feel relaxed, in my case I guess they were always days when my family worked in the garden, when mornings were spent with the radio on in the kitchen and veg being made ready for Sunday lunch, the smell of roast meat in the oven and my mum making stuffing and Yorkshire puddings. My dad would be finding jobs to do in the veg garden and I would be enjoying some kind of game or drawing in one of many sketch books.
I often wonder how different it would be now if my mum was still with us, I'm sure we would be enjoying those huge roast diners with them, you never ever taste those same tastes when your mum passes and however hard you try you just can't get meals to taste the same.
I remember spending hours helping her in the kitchen, we made pickle together, me chopping all the veg while mum cooked it adding spices of all sorts, how I sometimes wish those days were still here, but I guess life moves on and maybe one day others will remember me in that way.
So, it's clay in my hands today and a list of items I'm hoping to produce, after lunch I hope to empty last nights bisque firing from the kiln, fingers crossed there will be a few nice pieces to glaze. I have bowl sets to make and a few new items to try, with Christmas in mind I've been jotting down a few ideas and I think it's time I started putting them into practise.
Ok, I'm off to wedge some clay then to my wheel, I hope you all enjoy another warn day and get lots done in the garden or better still you enjoy a nice day out with the family.
Friday, 7 September 2012
Passion Returns
That Feeling Of Excitement Returns
This week as been a busy one here at the barn with mornings spent on my torch and afternoons throwing pieces on my wheel, still my mind is working over time thinking of working beads and ceramics together, my note books have page after page of sketches and ideas, I just hope I can reach the skill levels that I will need to bring these ideas into use.
After a few down days over the last month when the joint pain as placed me on the lower ladder of life and I really struggled to get going in the mornings, it's now nice to have that feeling of excitement back, that feeling when every evening is spent planning the following days work, when each morning holds the pleasure of opening my kilns, both lampwork and a couple of mornings a week the ceramic kiln, for the first time in months I feel like the old Rob and believe me it feels great to be able to say that.
Now I just hope with time I start feeling better health wise, it will happen and tho it may take a long while I can cope with it, after watching those hero's who have been competing in the paralympics what the hell am I doing moaning about aching joints, it's just a matter of getting on with things and with winter just down the road I just need to keep warm.
Today is another mixed day work wise with beads to make, some to clean and photograph ready to list this evening and yet more ceramics to throw on my wheel, I guess the fact that my days are now filled with a variety of jobs helps take away that mundane feel that was at times showing it's head and of course the fact I'm teaching myself another skill always helps, every day I'm learning more, I feel so very lucky.
This weekend I was hoping we may manage a trip to the coast one evening but I think we may have to put that on hold, I miss my walks along the beach picking up drift wood and other interesting items, you would be amazed at how many different textures you can find when walking along the tide line, I'm sure we will get there next month when sales pick up a little.
With Christmas only a few months away I'm looking at ceramic items that may be ideal for the festive holidays including candle lamps and tree decorations, any ideas are always very welcome so please feel free to email me any time.
Ok back to my torch for me and with the sunshine already filling the garden I'm hoping we are in for another warm day here in the fens, I hope you all enjoy your day.
This week as been a busy one here at the barn with mornings spent on my torch and afternoons throwing pieces on my wheel, still my mind is working over time thinking of working beads and ceramics together, my note books have page after page of sketches and ideas, I just hope I can reach the skill levels that I will need to bring these ideas into use.
After a few down days over the last month when the joint pain as placed me on the lower ladder of life and I really struggled to get going in the mornings, it's now nice to have that feeling of excitement back, that feeling when every evening is spent planning the following days work, when each morning holds the pleasure of opening my kilns, both lampwork and a couple of mornings a week the ceramic kiln, for the first time in months I feel like the old Rob and believe me it feels great to be able to say that.
Now I just hope with time I start feeling better health wise, it will happen and tho it may take a long while I can cope with it, after watching those hero's who have been competing in the paralympics what the hell am I doing moaning about aching joints, it's just a matter of getting on with things and with winter just down the road I just need to keep warm.
Today is another mixed day work wise with beads to make, some to clean and photograph ready to list this evening and yet more ceramics to throw on my wheel, I guess the fact that my days are now filled with a variety of jobs helps take away that mundane feel that was at times showing it's head and of course the fact I'm teaching myself another skill always helps, every day I'm learning more, I feel so very lucky.
This weekend I was hoping we may manage a trip to the coast one evening but I think we may have to put that on hold, I miss my walks along the beach picking up drift wood and other interesting items, you would be amazed at how many different textures you can find when walking along the tide line, I'm sure we will get there next month when sales pick up a little.
With Christmas only a few months away I'm looking at ceramic items that may be ideal for the festive holidays including candle lamps and tree decorations, any ideas are always very welcome so please feel free to email me any time.
Ok back to my torch for me and with the sunshine already filling the garden I'm hoping we are in for another warm day here in the fens, I hope you all enjoy your day.
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