Time for tea

Description

Today we rehearsed old age (and it was lovely, is the next line).

These words by Chris, from a full poem, are stamped into the slab cut stoneware clay, along with an image that is sketched into the clay by Michaela. We love the opportunity that these words bring to share those moments when you sit quietly with a pot of tea, Scrabble, the newspaper..

Chris challenged Michaela to draw a checked tablecloth too, and we think it looks lovely. The teapot and cups have lovely, rich glazes. Pots on pots!

All words on seatree work are from Chris’s poetry, some published, some not yet published.

The edges of the plaque are smoothed and the piece is put to dry between plasterboards, to keep it flat while drying. Once dry, it is fired with other work in the electric kiln to 1000 degrees and then underglaze is used to pick out the lines and colours and bring the piece to life.  It is then fired again to 1240 degrees and this takes a couple of days for firing and then cooling.

Each plaque is  approximately 13cm x 9cm with a hanging system on the back.

We love to make these plaques and they are very popular, especially as each one is unique. The words are chosen from the poetry and then this inspires the lines, sketches, textures and marks – and later, the colours. Both of us are involved in the glazing process – the time where the drama or detail or subtlety gets added. It is a satisfying process and also lovely for us to make a piece of art that we can price at an accessible price – although some people do collect a few to display together! We love to see where the small artworks end up being displayed and we know they make lovely gifts too.