Gillian started her pottery journey in February 2016, she came for a taster with her daughter….

Gillian has dedicated herself to throwing, she has worked hard and here is a picture of when she started going BIG!

Do you remember when you started?

I started with a taster session about 7 years ago now. Just a brief two hours with a demo and my first taste of throwing.

Tell us a little about your pottery journey?

From that first session I was completely hooked. But it with little time to take a regular evening class I made do with booking as many workshops as possible (not very many for the first couple of years, maybe only 4-5 times per year).
When Saturday club started I was keen to join the group and that helped me move on with a regular monthly pottery opportunity. After the Covid Hiatus I was so pleased when the studio reopened – we were all happy to do whatever it took to continue our hobby safely AND keep the studio alive.
Now as a Clay Squad member for the last 2 years I’ve been able to practice more, get braver and try new things.

Gillian’s Ring Vase, quite possibly the most difficult shape to make on the pottery wheel!

Have you seen some changes and all sorts over these years at the studio? Any high and lowlights?

The studio itself has been such a lovely constant background – always a friendly, relaxing atmosphere. It has changed, with different styles of workshop and the addition of the ceramics space downstairs there is a different feel - for me I feel like the ‘serious’ potters are downstairs, with those of us who are more ‘hobbyists’ upstairs.
Highlights – usually the Raku days which are just exciting all the way through and watching everyone’s work emerge from the flames is a real thrill. But besides that I have really enjoyed making new friends and chatting about all sorts of things and working together in the studio with gentle music, chit-chat and a nice cuppa !
I guess low lights would be the times during Covid where we really wondered if it would be possible to work at the studio again – it was brilliant to get back in there again in spite of all the various workarounds that had to be in place, and I know we all enjoyed being able to get back into the studio, but it wasn’t the same with screens and facemasks !

You do some work at home, how is that for you and how does it compare to working in the studio?

Working at home is interesting. There are times when it is great to lock myself away in my ‘pottery shed’ and do a lot of turning or throwing – much of which ends up in recycling. So it is good, but I miss being with other like minded people and having a chat whilst working. I’ve realised working at home is really helpful and adds to the flexibility, but coming back to the studio regularly whether that is to try something new, do some glazing or finishing – what ever just being back in the studio with other potters is really important.

Favourite thing to do?

Throwing – always throwing – I love the symmetry and the feeling of working with the clay (although probably still too often I am following what the clay wants to do rather than persuading it to do what I had planned )
RAKU – who doesn’t love Raku – although having tried and enjoyed naked Raku and saggar firing – I still love the excitement of pulling the pots from the sawdust and that first glimpse (hopefully) of beautiful coppery metallics.

Where will you go next with your ceramics?

I have worked out a couple of projects for 2024 to try to improve my throwing skills and to focus on finding a glazing / decorating style that works for me. Alongside that I have a hand-build project of making Puss cat garden markers.

What does the studio mean to you?

The studio is a real pottery home a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and I always feel like I’m amongst friends and I’ve made lots of new friends through the studio. I love the camaraderie of shared goals, the mutual support, and especially the guidance and encouragement of Leyla and Gaye.

2024 has started with a new challenge for Gillian, she has inherited a kiln and is taking her home studio to the next level!

We are so incredibly proud of Gillian, she has slowly set up her home pottery space and gradually become more confident in organising and managing her wares and recycling.

Inheriting a kiln sounds like a dream but it was not a smooth process with kiln error messages and wiring issues to sort, many would have shied away but Gillian kept chipping away at the problem until she worked it out.

Above are the results of her first bisc firing, what a wonderful moment in time!

Spreading the Clay - Gillian's Story