Thursday, 31 January 2013

A Day Of Clay

Ceramic Beads To Make


   A sunny day here in the fens and today I play with clay, no throwing on wheel or coil pot making for me, it's ceramic bead ideas that have pestered my mind these last few days, round, disc, curved and much more, how busy my hands will be.
   With the light rain falling here in the east and clay in my hands I think of that little blonde haired boy sitting mixing mud in the garden of that thatched family home, with sticks and twig he mixed his mud to form those small bricks that would sit and dry in summer sun, castles and walls would be built with moats that drained in minutes and plastic soldier placed inside, how long ago it seems.
   No fire dragon for me to feed today just warm kitchen in which to work with large pine table to roll my beads, the barn will rest this January day, no lights to glow and flame to flicker and still corners will stay dark while glass rods will feel safe once more.
   Clay will work in my hands until placed to dry on wooden tray, tools to carve and engrave will be busy and holes will form in every piece. Rolling and twisting will be done while thoughts of spring will run in my head and cups of tea will help to make this day another of interest and fun.
   What will people like, designs of old or something new and crazy say, maybe narrow and long they will be or chunky rustic country nugget with no side the same, I'm sure I'll try them all and some will be found that will sell.

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Dark Morning

Rushing Dark Skies


   A dark winter morning welcomes us this Wednesday, as light opens up our world the sight of those rain filled wild clouds rushing over the fens heading off to the coast is all we see, no bright blue skies to start this day, just deep dark banks of storm armies rolling east, in haste they march watched by a thousand fenland eyes.
   The light drizzle of night has left tiny crystal clear drops on every window and cobbled path holds still pools for early winds to dry, clumps of snowdrop leaf sit nestled under cherry tree with coats of dew and Magpie rattle is cutting the silence, a different land winter is leaving behind.
   No ice is left and ponds now dance in fenland breeze to celebrate their freedom from that bitter cold winter  sleep, now life can start again in water cold, a life so strange for us but to them a world so full and busy, weed will grow and reed will stand until the spring they will produce this show we watch, a show that will amaze again like every year.
   A day of glass I face, warm and content I will work my flame while I watch the molten magic tricks that will entertain and orange glow from box of fire will keep them safe until tomorrow. Rods will watch as I pick my next and dust filled corners will hide eyes that see all, builders of web will laugh at my simple craft as they produce such stunning work and to them I bow in respect.
   How lucky this bead hermit is to share this world of flame and glass, to explain his reason to fight for it to the last is not needed and one that all can see.

Sunday, 27 January 2013

Rains To wash, Winds To Dry

The Thaw


   Temperatures lift here in the flat lands and with the rains of last night most of the snow has been wash deep into the fenland soil, now we watch the winds rushing across the dark garden of East Anglia with reeds and rushes riding every blustery breath nature sends while forgotten lavender shivers every silver seed head.
   No dark skies to greet us this morning, no sky of grey so full of winters carpet, only blue fresh sky with those long slender sun lit white clouds that ride high in the wind, a sign of sunshine maybe on this day of rest, a day to dry our sodden land and wipe clear the mess winter left behind after frozen parties that bright clear stars did attend well into each night.
   For this bead hermit it will be a long warm day at my torch watching my birds feed at their swinging feeders and listen I will to the old conifer trees talking above my barn, groaning to each other like old folk of the fen putting world to right, the fire I'll feed and bead ideas will play around in my head as if riding some wonderful carousel, off and on they will jump while I try to catch them, no easy Sunday for this bead maker.
 

 

Sunday, 20 January 2013

Winter Remembered

Childhood Winter


   As I sit here on this cold winter Sunday looking out upon the snow covered fens the memories of winters past come flooding back to me, great weeks of snow when being a child was the greatest thing ever and hours of fun were had in the small streets and lanes of Ashwell until hands were so cold you had to go warm them up in mum's kitchen.
   Those snowball fights in the school meadow and riding a mini bonnet down Kingsland Terrace with both fear and excitement. Those long walks along village lane where curtains of ice from great willow trees hung and waters as cold as mountain snow flows from chalk spring.
   On three sides the snow covered hills protect my Ashwell, the fourth lay flat and cold with just narrow lane cutting a path, a path walked by both rich and poor for a thousand years, where tramp and merchant alike have trod and snows drift to a mans waist.
   I remember those great iron lamps that lit the streets in winter snow, every flake passed through the light like angel wings falling to the ground, I would sit watching at my window well into the night hoping the snow would settle.
   Those ice covered pavements that ran along busy high street, solid crusty ice that bore a hundred frozen foot prints with clay red salt resting to each curb and figures walking slowly through wet sludge in the road, some bent over wearing coat and hat and others enjoying every step.
   The odd car would pass or coal lorry loaded with those grey heavy sacks, food for fires all over the village and every door step would have small round finger prints from milk bottles now in larders or on kitchen table. The shops would still trade as before with pavements swept clear of snow, an invitation to their door, butchers, bakers, post office and village store, all open and still serving with that smile that only village folk used.
   Kitchens everywhere would smell of soups and stews and that winter pot of boiling potato peelings that every hen keeper would cook, great black iron kettles stood on ranges full of boiled water for that needed cuppa, no hot water taps to run then. The larder would home winter stores and cheese, butter and meats would sit wrapped in paper, pickles would stand in jars like soldiers of different regiments all waiting their turn, reds, greens, yellows, like stained glass in a church of food.
   Dad's and grandad's would be sawing and splitting logs by wash house door and the outside water taps would wear their winter coats of sacking and string. The cobbled yard would be cleared by salt and bird tables would be adorned with strings of peanut shells and homemade lard balls, oh how this world changes, am I the only one who wishes he could return, maybe.
   

Thursday, 17 January 2013

A Wild White World

The Tree Of Winter


   The fens stand still, no winds on this day of January, freezing mist sits above the rich garden of the east like cloaks of silver haze waiting to fall upon the soil, everywhere so quiet as if I was stood watching a winter funeral but my eyes only fell upon one subject. There stood the most regal of ice tree, it stands looking out over the fen as if every noble branch was inspecting winter's work, pointing to even the smallest gap in the ice.
   Can he feel me watching, does he know my thoughts, the strength I see in him and how I wish I was standing there in his place, a hundred years behind him and a hundred to come, seasons pass and wind blown fen earth protect his roots, how we dream of that safe long life.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

World Of Ice

Freezing Fens And Skies Of Ice


   I woke to a world of ice this morning, a world so cold that my fingers and toes feel like they belong to another, hot tea for warming and woodburner to light were my first jobs of the day. Now the barn is warming with the little chimney puffing out gentle smoke columns that rise up into the ice sky above us passing through tree branches like skeletons of white frost a winter gift like no other.
   A group of six partridge walk over the snow covered winter barley behind us, little round bodies with those orange feet stepping slowly through the thick cold carpet that covers the dark rich soil and great tits visit peanut feeder like small blue darts that flash through the low conifer branches. My robins sit on the feeding table like little feather balls their red chest bright in this winter world and the blackbirds scramble on the tall rose bushes picking hips of bright crimson.
   Now with hands warm I'm heading off to saw wood, I need to keep that little fire dragon fed in the barn, crackling and spitting as it feeds on my collected woodland supplies, that old bead hermit now gets closer as I sit out there in the warm while winter laughs at us all, she loves playing her frosty tricks on us and I guess we would be lost without them.
   
 

Monday, 14 January 2013

Snow Arrives

The Fens Are White


   We woke to find the fens covered in that cold white winter coat that visits every year, conifer branches bend under the weight of snow and the ponds are quiet under ice. Fen tigers all over East Anglia pack up fires for the day and care for livestock, chimneys smoke away like village gents puffing on pipe and great coats are pulled from hooks of iron to keep backs warm, boy do I love this time of year.
   The hardened fen folk would laugh loud to hear me call this snow, to them it's more of a thick frost and as for the cold winds, well just an early spring breeze, their weathered faces tell stories of winters hard, winters of ice and freezing gales that freeze drain and dyke alike, winters when rivers are walked upon for week after week like frozen lanes that snake through the flat lands towards the wash, where clusters of ice covered reeds line each bank like miniature winter forests beneath which roach and rudd hide, oh no I've not seen a real fen winter yet !
 
 

Sunday, 13 January 2013

Skies Full Of Snow And Cold Fingers

Winter Returns To The Fens


   If I had a pound for every time people ask why I enjoy living out here in the strange flat world of the fens then I'd be one very rich guy, the answer is hard to explain but mornings such as this one are a big part of it. Sitting here looking out across the wild frost covered fenland's that stretch out for miles behind us, it's dark soil now wearing lace caps on the peaks left by the winter plough and cock pheasant that strut over the winter barley, a raw morning of winter but one I love, some would prefer the summer mornings when the early sunshine lights the world of nature but for me these cold months when hands never seem to warm and frost will sit all day are just as interesting.
   When most think of the fens their thoughts turn to reed beds, sedges and willows along with swans, geese and barn owl, they see the dark rich soil that holds hardly a stone and drain that runs for miles as straight as an arrow and don't get me wrong they are all a big part of life here, but for me there are so many more things that I watch and the change of seasons can be no more severe than here in the fens and droves of east Anglia.
   I feel the only thing missing from the countryside I enjoyed back in Hertfordshire is woodland, the lack of trees here in the fens is very obvious to my eyes and I guess the those strong tough winds that we ride on even the best summer days are a huge part of the reason why. Since we moved here I've set a few trees here in the garden and already they have changed the look of our surroundings and of course with this we get greater numbers of garden birds, I guess it's my own little part of Hertfordshire, the backdrop to natures theatre that performs for me all year.
   Now with the sky full of snow I'm heading off to my torch and a warm barn in which I'll be working until this evening, I'll be watching for snow as I work and I'm sure if it does arrive this big kid will find an excuse to get out there in it !
 

Saturday, 12 January 2013

Snow On The Way

A Short Visit To The Beach


   So, the snow is on the way they keep telling us and I believe them as the temperature and the sky are both pointing towards winter again, I've been cutting wood so we have enough to keep the wood burners going over the next couple of weeks and for once I feel ok about working in the barn when it all arrives, it's dry, it's now for the first time warm and it's even getting tidy for a change, fingers crossed all will be well.
   After the car not starting a few weeks back and the AA guy telling me to keep giving her a run out to charge battery, I've been trying to do just that and this week I managed a short morning visit to the local beach, it's only a 35 minute drive but with the return trip it's enough to get some power in that battery.
   It was a sunny morning but that coast wind was blowing and the tide was out giving a real cold winter look to the place. Hardly a soul walking on the sands just a couple of guys digging for fishing bait along with the odd dog walker.
   I did manage to pick some sea glass but was really looking for any driftwood that may have been washed ashore, but no luck on that front.
   I must say this morning we now have some great winter sunshine here in the fens and tho it's coupled with a rather chilly breeze blowing over the flat lands it does make a pleasant change to those grey damp mornings we have had over the last couple of months.
   I've been writing a few more poems this week, most are about Ashwell and my childhood and I'll be putting some on here at odd times, you all know me enough by now to realise that I need a good kick up the arse now and then before I show things here on the blog so if it's a week before you see one try to be a little understanding, I just hate the thought of showing a poem and people thinking they are really not that good, but I will share them I promise.
   Ok, back to my torch and I need to clean and photograph beads that I'm listing on eBay this evening, I'm glad the mixed sets are selling as I really believe they will be handy for so many types of jewellery and I'll keep listing them.

Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Homemade Biscuits And A Warm Barn

   Well, touch wood the winter hasn't been too angry on us yet, with the addition of the wood burner to the barn we have been keeping warm for the first time since I built the place, it is amazing how better it is to work without hot water bottles on our laps and trying to move with layer upon layer of clothing. To be honest with you there have been times this last few weeks when the barn has been far warmer than the house and the idea of me sleeping in there as crossed my mind, tho I must admit I'd miss my bed even if I struggle to get a good nights sleep in it.
   This weekend I had a baking day with flour and butter covering the kitchen table I managed to bake a selection of gluten free biscuits, I wouldn't say the best I've ever eaten but by far cheaper than buying from the shops. In days past I would have a biscuit with my tea in the mornings while working but this last year as made that impossible, so I thought I'd give baking some a go and I guess as time passes the quality will improve and I won't have to close my eyes when walking past the biscuit section in the supermarket.

   I must say this last couple of weeks as to a large degree been spent working on my torch, the bead sales are at last slowly turning around and I need to make the most of it, you never know how long it will last so make hay while the sun shines is the old saying. I've had little time for the ceramic side of things tho every day I'm drawing sketches of pottery ideas and I have some new glaze to try, I'm hoping this coming weekend will be spent on my wheel so I can catch up a little, I'm missing the feel of clay in my hands.
   I think some of you have noticed I'm listing some larger selection sets of beads on ebay and by the remarks I've had some of you are impressed with the colours. I just thought it was something a little different for the new year and I do enjoy making them so why not, just a bit of fun for a change.
   Ok, that's my morning cuppa over and back to my torch, I hope your all enjoying the start to the new year and if, like me, you feel a change is needed in what your doing or indeed making, then go for it, if I can make colourful beads like those above then you can do anything.
 

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

Welcome 2013

Happy New Year To All


   Well what a wonderful start to the new year here in the fens, no rain all day and sunshine that filled the sky with clear blue, those fenland winds were cold and fresh and this old bead maker had a day of complete rest,  now I'm ready to start the new year with a mind full of fresh ideas both glass and ceramic.
   An early start calls in the morning as I have so much to make, beads for both shops and for the displays here at the barn, pottery for the website and etsy shops and also for a small selection that I hope to display here too. We have only a few more jobs to complete the spring clean of the barn then it's just a matter of weeks before we can invite customers and friends here once again.
   I have been questioned on the subject of lessons in lampwork again this week and I have decided to start teaching once again, I must say I have missed it and look forward to once again helping those who wish to take up the hobby. I will post more information here on the blog nearer the time including the cost of lessons and the day long courses, if anyone is interested feel free to email me with any questions, upwellsell@aol.com
   Now I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their support in the last 12 months, it has been a hard year for us and every sale of our beads as been so important here, we can only thank you all and hope you will continue to use our beads in the future, there were times I really didn't think I would still be making beads this new year, but I'm still here and that makes this silly old sod smile. I will try my best to continue making beads of interest and I too hope my ceramics will please some, I very much look forward to  the next year being one in which my beads and pottery will travel hand in hand but more importantly I hope all of us live a healthy and happy year, we enjoy what we do and ask for nothing but respect from others, we help and encourage those we know and above all, we remember those who sleep never to wake again, those we miss and loved.

Happy New Year