Crafts: Pottery #2

If you haven't read my previous pottery related post you won't know that I've been doing an evening class in pottery and ceramics. Before I started I had lots of ideas, and I imagined them all to be easily realisable. I expected just to rock in and start creating lots of complicated designs. As you can imagine, it's a little bit more difficult than that. I've always had a bit of a thing for mugs and teacups and so they were some of the first things I attempted to make. I made this slightly non-functional one by coiling, which means I built up the design using coils of clay, and then added the handle last. It certainly isn't perfect, and I think it makes a better home for my cactus than any actual liquid, but I'm pretty smitten with it. What do you think?

What hobbies do you do in your spare time? Any pottery tips for me?

Crafts: Pottery #1

I'm a bit of a crafty soul at heart and I get really jealous and gloomy when I don't make time for some sort of creative outlet. I just think that making stuff with your hands is incredibly relaxing. And it gives your head a break too. I knew I was going to be busy at university this year but I really wanted to find something extracurricular I could do on the side. I've always been fascinated with pottery and ceramics and when I was searching for potential evening classes I luckily found a pretty cheap and convenient pottery class.

This is my first creation. It is nameless. It is multi-coloured. It is multi-textured. And I can't quite decide whether it reminds me most of a fish, a piece of coral, or an acorn. But I am feeling pretty proud of myself. If I have to be neat and detailed I really am a bit awful, but with pottery you can be heavy handed and messy and it becomes a style all of its own. Perfect.

I really can't wait to get stuck in and make more stuff. I guess the ultimate dream would be to be able to sell my wares but I think that's a long time off. In the meantime I'll keep sharing my creations with you all - they might even get a dedicated blog before too long!

Do you have any hobbies? What's your favourite craft?