Sunday, 25 November 2012

Gales Batter The Fens

Violent Winds Still Raging.


   What a night we spent here in the flat lands, strong gales battered us over night and still this morning we find then racing over the dark soil of the fens, violent winds that I for one haven't seen for a good few years. I must say one thing, I find it amazing that we haven't experienced a power cut yet, this area being known for its electric failures, I can only imagine it's a matter of time before the kiln will need setting again after darkness falls over Upwell.
   One thing for sure is that those tiny gold finches are the most amazing little birds, they ride the feeders in these high winds like little rodeo riders to the entertainment of the row of collar doves that sit out the gales in thick conifer branches, boy those little fellows must be hungry.
   After spending the day at my torch yesterday it's a clay Sunday for me, I need to clean and photograph beads to list this evening but then it's all clay for me. I have so many pieces to finish off and rows of items to bisque fire, it looks very much like this coming week there will be a lot of glazing to do and items to list in the etsy shop and on the website.
   A lot of Christmas tree decorations are to be fired and listed including gift tags, it's funny how making such things sets my mind thinking of Christmas's past and tho I'm really not looking forward to the festive season this year it as made for happy thoughts.
   I sat working yesterday thinking of the first Christmas open day I held here at the barn and how many of those visitors are now making beads of their own, I named around 40 visitors who were there that day and to be honest with you apart from one lady who reads and comments on this blog, not one of them have I heard from for many years, it's a real shame how things change, I guess people move on to new hobbies or new bead makers who's work they like more, some as I said are now makers in their own right, a few of which I myself taught, how different my little bead world as become and indeed the whole bead scene in such a short period of time.
   This is all part of the reason I need to diversify into pottery as well as making my beads, firstly I need to regain a little self-respect and start earning enough to pay the bills without the worry every time the post falls on the carpet or the phone rings in case it's someone asking about a bill that's late being paid, but also I want to be able to afford to keep us warm this winter and to be able to food shop without heading straight for the reduced section, yes I know some of you will say this is just being selfish and that we are lucky as lots have far harder lives than us, but I'm just trying to explain why I'm putting so much time and effort into the ceramics and why I feel so excited when I learn how to make more new pieces,  ok I know I'm a big kid at heart too but it really does make me happy to know I'm heading in the right direction and there may be a better future around the corner and that the hard work may just pay off in the end.
   Well I better head off back to cleaning those beads while we still have power then I get to make a mess in the clay room with sport on the radio and thoughts of those past Christmas's in my head, now that all makes for one very happy bead maker ! Oh, by the way, those poems I mentions will be going on here soon I promise.
 
   

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