The post Why School Ceramic Workshops Teach Soft Skills: A Proven Approach appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.

Initially when she said up to 25 people I refused. I didn’t think I could host that many. I suggested another local pottery studio and thought that was it. But she came back and wanted to check out my studio. After a visit she was determined to have it here. I do have a lovely setting so understood. She was quite pushy as I refused twice. Eventually I relented and the panic set it.

I bought a large parasol so the studio could be extended outside. I removed my office and added more tables. I got hold of more aprons and was ready to go.

On the morning of the event, Sharon brought a table and food and set up a food and drink area down the garden. I prepared lots of balls of clay for throwing and slab rolled lots of clay or mug and vase making.

We both prayed for sunshine. (I did have a gazebo ready it we had rain).

It was a complete success. There were 20 people in all and each one enjoyed the afternoon. They all managed to create something out of clay. They were patient with me as i wanted to get round all of them. While I was teaching a group of them, the others enjoyed a drink in my garden.

I love how when people come to my studio, many are a little stand-off-ish. Understandable. They don’t know me, probably never touched clay since school. Worried of looking a fool. But watching the ego drop and the smiles and pure joy on their face shine through after some time is such a great thing to watch. There is nothing better than creating something with your own hands.

So now I can confidently provide team building days out for those workers looking for a mindful and truly creative afternoon.

Here are some pictures from the day and reviews below that:

The post ParAid/ Evac+Chair Summer Fair Event appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.

It is suitable for beginners and you will be able to put the skills learnt into a final piece of art you will be proud to keep. I will be helping all along the way.

You can READ MORE HERE

The post India Pottery Retreat appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.

The past 18 months has been bad for many people.  I lost my beloved dog Maddy in August 2020 and with the pandemic and the lockdown I needed a focus, so I built a pottery studio / workshop.  I have to turn negatives into positives.  Having managed working from home for 11 years (WITH my social contact) I have been fine.  But without it, this past year, who knows where I would be.  So I am very grateful to my neighbour Jason for helping me create my dream workshop. I now have a beautiful garden room studio, it’s a beautiful space to work with natural light, a real creative space.

I had been waiting for a workshop down at Coalport China Museum, but it has felt like a carrot on a stick for too long. I had been looking to move and when I mentioned this to my neighbour she suggested I built a workshop at the back on my garden. This got me thinking and I priced up the options. What I wanted size wise was a minimum of 30K. I was looking at sip panels, ready built workshops and all sorts when I got chatting with my neighbours partner. He is conservatory/windows doors installer but also all round great builder. He likes to keep busy and is always doing jobs around the neighborhood and very kindly agreed to help me build it.

The post Covid Project – Garden Workshop Pottery Studio appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.

The post Harrods Window Display London appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.

For a couple of years I have been dreaming about making large sculptures of my flower ladies.  I can picture them as large sculptures in shopping malls and I see a dedicated sculpture park for people to enjoy.  I had no idea how to make them big or if this was even possible.  Well someone was on the same wavelength because back in March of last year I got a phone call from some Spanish sounding lady saying how she loves my art and how she does art installations for celebrities and cruise ships. She was really excited and very sort of matter of fact.  I was my typical skeptical self at first and said I would call her back.  I then did some checks on her and she and the company were legit so I was all ears. In fact the company turns over millions so I was super all ears.  She wanted to speak on WhatsApp as she was in Miami at that time, so I added her and called her back.  She wanted to know if I would I like to have one of my sculptures fabricated much larger if she found a fabricator who could do it.   She told me I would get paid for the design and it would be going on the Royal Caribbeans latest cruise ship Symphony of the Seas.  She said she would look for a fabricator and email soon.

So this crazy lady gave me this huge dangling carrot and off she went.  I was left very excited and eager for her to call or email.  What if she couldn’t find a fabricator, surely someone would look at my ladies and think no chance.  For weeks I waited excitingly for her to call or email but she never did.  Me being me told everyone that it WAS going to happen blah blah, even though I was scared it wouldn’t happen.  I got a couple of messages back saying still investigating but I sensed I was becoming a pain so I decided to stop bothering her.   Plus as time was going by I was worried it was a no go.   Later in the Summer I got the commission for wall flowers for Macy’s in America which for one kept me busy and mind off the cruise ship woman, but it also gave my confidence a boost.  So in July (5 months had passed) I sent her a message.  I asked her if she still wanted me to do this fabrication milarky.   She replied very quickly saying yes very much and perfect timing. She had sent an email to the fabricator so discussions have begun. Not long later I was being cc-ed in emails from the fabricator and it was all systems go.

I ran around my house screaming like a mad woman for a few days.  It was a big sum of money to be paid for doing nothing, just using my design. However it didn’t turn out to be money for nothing as I ended up making the sculpture.  But this was my choice.  Once contracts were signed I went off down to meet Andrew Sinclair (my new hero) who had agreed to fabricate my sculpture.  This is when I started to get really excited because I had seen this man before on the net and was already impressed with his sculpture work. I had considered his classes in the past and here I was about to work along side him.  I spoke to Andrew on the phone and he suggested I come down for a chat about my sculpture. This is where the dream became reality.

A few days later I was wondering around his studio in awe.  It was jaw dropping to me.  It was and is just my dream to have a workshop like he has.  I am a bit of a tool, tech geek type and love power tools.  He had every tool, and I mean every tool.  When I went to school there was the wood work room, the metal work room and the pottery room, all my favourite rooms.  His studio was all that and more.  It was awesome. The only thing missing is a kiln and 3d printer, but he doesn’t need it. It was just sickening stuff really. A new gorgeous barn conversation was in construction. He was finishing off a David Bowie Tribute sculpture which has just been revealed. I had finally met a man who impressed me.  Just a shame he wasn’t a bit younger and single!

Once we got talking about my sculpture he asked how much input I wanted.  I explained I am like a sponge and wanted to learn as much as possible.  Plus I explained I was self employed so could take time off and come down for a couple of weeks or more if needed.  My main concern was that it looked good and like one of my ladies obviously.  By then we had notification what head and position was wanted.  It was a hydrangea lady crossed legs holding a bouquet.  He asked if I would like to make it all myself.  I agreed as long as he would be able to help and so stuff when I couldn’t.  He did ask if I was practical which I am. So it was agreed, I going Devon for 2 weeks in October to make this sculpture.  I asked him how we was going to make it and he said he didn’t know yet! But he did make me laugh when he said all I know is that it has to be ‘fat American proof’!

The post Heidi – Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.

The post Macy’s San Francisco USA appeared first on Carolyn Clayton.