So, today is the day after Earth & Fire International Ceramics Fair in Welbeck. What are my impressions, memories, etc. after having spent one day setting up and three days on the stand showing my ceramics along with my seven other MA ceramics pals? Mixed feelings really. Initially I’m feeling totally exhausted. It was a really great experience and I’m so glad that I did it. On the other side, I cannot deny a sense of disappointment at not having sold any of my work with the exception to one of my co-students from the year below (Thanks Johanna, that was really nice of you!). I know that we were told not to hold any high hopes for sales as this was about showing our work for the first time a

So, my first attempt at using terra sig on my first decorated platter left me with two issues: the terra sig was shelling off around the edges of the rim and the colours were very harsh and graphic - not what I was looking for. So, I borrowed Dave's diamond and polishing pads to remove any loose bits of terra sig and I rather liked the distressed result. It also removed any of the raised burrs left by the sgraffito lines made previously leaving a much more smooth and tactile surface. Next I did decide to test the patience of our neighbours by experimenting with a bit of smoke firing in our back yard. I used an old paving slab, some old bricks, a compost sieve and an old slate tile. My fuel