​I am back after a spell away from writing this blog. I didn’t mean for there to be a gap. Life took over. we sold the house and had four weeks to move, moving in just before Christmas. As soon as we were unpacked, house warmed and Christmas celebrated, we got stuck in to demolishing the old sheds in our new garden and putting up a new one – our new pottery studio and woodshed (with windows!). I needed a prompt to get back into writing and that prompt has come through Dream, Plan, Do – this lovely red book is just part of a package I won in a Creative Scotland competition – I also won a place in something called Club 111 – run by the Design Trust. Patricia offers business mentoring for creatives.

It has been challenging – so much work to do to create the studios, learning how to mix concrete and lay foundations level and put in insulation, a whole new skills set. I have to admit I couldn’t have done it without Chris who has the vision and motivation and skill to make these things happen, but I was happy being his sidekick.

​Another challenge has been trying to keep up some pottery orders – although I am not way behind, so apologies again to any of the galleries waiting for a seatree delivery. I have had the pleasure of sharing the space of my friend Pauline at Sea Drift Pottery – I am very thankful for that but also glad that today I have unpacked my things into my own space – at last!

​You might have read in an earlier blog post about my challenge to myself to create a collection of pieces that I was happy with and how delighted I was to have the collection displayed at the lovely Tighnabruaich Gallery. Here is a photo of the pieces all gathered together in a display with my rockpool bowls. I am so pleased to see everything looking acceptable in a gallery!

Robbie has been such a support since I got started with pottery and I still have such a lot to learn but he has been invaluable in helping me think I might have something to give. I would to hear who has been alongside you as you create…. Just small actions and kind words can make all the difference, can’t they?

Fancy a go at making your own mug? I run workshops regularly in Hunters Quay for one or two people at a time. It is £20 for an hour and a half per person. Drop me a message on here to book in – and over on Facebook I have a wee competition running to win a free workshop place. If you don’t do Facebook and would still like to enter, give me a shout.

​Here are some pictures of mugs recently made on a workshop and the happy makers enjoying a cup of tea in their own mugs. It is so fulfilling to create something from scratch, and fulfilling for me to see what people do and how they create their own unique piece. No matter how much someone insists at the beginning of a workshop that they aren’t ‘arty’ they will certainly be pleased with what they make.

Why not come along and have a go?

It’s lovely when shops, galleries and individuals want to buy or stock our goods. Sometimes they are withing striking distance and I can deliver them – like today. heading out over a very blustery Clyde to the Seagull Gallery with some wave pictures.They were an order for one of her customers who wanted four along one wall in her house – I hope we might get a picture to see how they look in position.

Sometimes though I need to post things out – what a worry that can be and how relieved I am to hear that things have survived in tact. One piece recently didn’t make it and their replacement piece is being fired and glazed today. Usually they do though – with copious amounts of bubble-wrap, sellotape and newspaper or straw being used and large red-lettered ‘fragile’ tape wound around the parcel.

Recently I was asked to make a very special picture for a wedding gift – you can see it in the picture below. I even put bubble-wrap inside the picture between the ceramics and the glass. I was so pleased the buyer liked it and it arrived unscathed.

Still, it is all part of the business and I have learned a lot over the years about every aspect of business – from ceramics to accounting to labelling and packaging – long may the exciting journey continue.

Blairmore Gallery not far from us has recently been taken on by new owner Ciorsdan (pronounced kirsten) and we wish her all the very best. The Gallery has been a popular stopping off point over the years on the lovely road along Loch Long – local and Scottish art and crafts, lovely homemade soups and cakes and friendly folks. The Gallery is next to the lovely Blairmore Pier which I discovered this week is one of only five piers in Scotland. There are two in the Edinburgh area and the other two are local to us in Dunoon and Rothesay. Three within easy reach – I didn’t recently they were a rarity here in Scotland; it makes them all the more special. Here are some photos, taken the other day when I delivered some pottery to them.