Ceramics Day 3

Trying to squeeze 3 or 4 hours in here and there to dedicate to my little mugs... This time I've taken great care to the designs of the mugs, in particular the consistency of the thickness of the clay for each mug, the handles and the area where 'mug meets base'.

This care and attention I feel is necessary following the first batch of mugs that have emerged from the kiln. Some have cracked and distorted considerably, which may be for a number of reasons, including the above. Also, following my handles research, I feel that I need to step my game up on some that are more attractive and better fitting.

Keeping in mind the raw clay is subject to noticeable shrinkage when drying and following 2 firings, the following are some shots from the 'sturdier' range of mugs that I'm developing. Not quite so cute and more chunky than I've produced before, but I'm hoping with a good choice of colours, a bit of shrinkage and a subtle pattern and texture, this could potentially really work. Fingers crossed for next week!

Another few hours are penciled in for tomorrow morning, some glaze experiments soon and then the final batches out by next weekend. I hope...!

Designs - Fashion

 After experimenting with some of my stamp designs, I've started to consider their use as prints for fashion. In all honesty, I'm pleasantly surprised and I quite like them :)

 To put this to practice - IF I have the time - potentially before the Final Show rather than the deadline, I may try to print some fabric and mock up a really basic garment, or buy a simple and plain white garment and naturally dye/stamp it..... Just something else to go on the wish list of things to do with my non-existent time plan.

String Stamps & Books

I've been trying to work out what to do with my string stamps which I experimented with a while ago. I love the subtlety of them, how rough and textured they are, yet how well the string can work as a coherent pattern...

Started playing around with one of my favourite patterns and different colour combinations, focusing on a range of muted and quite earthy tones. I'm thinking book covers hand printed onto heavyweight linen, or screen printed as a range? Both are handmade processes, I'm thinking stamping straight on will actually be quicker than preparing a screen/stripping it/setting up/drying etc etc.... Decisions, decisions!

Business Card

In preparation for the PPD Interviews on Monday, I've used some of the branding from Paul just to mock up a really simple business card. I have plans to consult with Paul and finalise my design, then print the cards on high quality paper and print press. This will give a really tactile and handmade look, but with a highly professional finish to the business cards, reflecting the nature of my work.

A simple design I've used in preparation for tomorrow:
[Front/Back]

Ceramics

Some photos from my recent couple of days in ceramics - first mock ups, ideas of glazes and a few images of designs for the glazes and possible effects I'm thinking of. I want to keep a really simple and neutral design by means of shapes and colour used, with a small detail to texture and the organic, handmade quality to the pieces.

Beyond June 2011......

I've been pushed to think about this a little more seriously with the approach of the interviews for the second part of the PPD3 module, but it's actually helped in settling my mind a little in how many opportunities are actually out there if I set my mind to it.
I've started researching into a few more craft fairs around the UK that I could potentially try to sell my work at throughout 2012. The British Craft Trade Fair is high on my list already, as I had such a great experience there last month,but here's a few more that I'd like to visit and get a feel for the vibes of the fairs to see if they're a potential selling place for me in the near future.

Origin: Made not manufactured... held at Spitalfields Market in London, with 17,000 visitors in one week with over £700,000 taken on sales in 2010.

New Designers: One Year On. June 2011
"For the 12th year running, New Designers is proud to present One Year On, a major feature within the event. This is a focused zone, showcasing a group of 50 young designers with an entrepreneurial flare and a strong body of work.
Buyers, collectors and press absolutely love One Year On, so this is a fantastic opportunity anyone who has set up a business within the last 12 months."
...Tough call, but not unrealistic?

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Spinningfields in Manchester. October 2011.
They also have a graduate section: "Chosen from degree shows and New Designers exhibition 2010, these 14 graduates are amongst the best new talent from across the North. Showcasing a wide variety of techniques, ideas, inspiration and media, these new makers are undoubtably ones to keep an eye on for the future."

It might be worth looking at smaller, regular events that would be cheaper to buy a stall at. There are a few established in Leeds such as Handmade and Reetsweet, but it's worth considering venturing to London for a different market base and hopefully a broader audience to strengthen my experience. Stour Space in central London sounds like a fantastic place to look out for.

There's also other events nationwide such as The Contemporary Craft Fair, based in Devon. Held in the height of Summer, this looks to be a guaranteed busy event - again with a different audience and market base to the North. It's further to travel, which entails more costs, but potentially worth a look for the future?

Also took a quick look at funding, as I'll almost certainly need it...:

Arts Council

"CIDA is Cultural Industries Development Agency is the leading support organisation for the creative and cultural sector."

Time Management

I've recently felt really distracted from the creative side of my FMP with everything else going on around me. The Young Curators project has started to take over a lot more time than I anticipated, with an average of 2-3 meetings a week, emails and phone calls going on in the background and then I'm also aware of the introduction of Friday mornings as dedicated YC meet up from the 22nd April. This is a project I can't avoid or cut down on, as I have a massive responsibility as one of the coordinators. I also have my part time job which I'm getting about 2 shifts a week for now, again I can't cut down on this as I need extra income to be able to fund myself through to my graduation.
This has lead me to reconsider my volunteering with People in Action, where I've been helping out on Thursday evenings at Potternewton Gateway. It's only a small part of my week, but I felt like this unfortunately is the easiest thing to drop. I called up the office to speak to my contact there in person to explain my situation - and also that I'll be around Leeds for part of the Summer and I'm living here for another year, which leaves plenty of time for me to help out then. The team there were really understanding and appreciated my help so far, and were keen to keep in touch for the future.
Another area I'm conscious of is the Artsmix seminars, running for the Pop-up Shop in May. I was unable to go to the latest meeting due to a clash with Young Curators, but I'm determined to keep up to date with the seminars as they're invaluable to me for the future in regards to pricing, selling and marketing my work.

This rethink in general has made me more determined to use my available time as well as I possibly can. I've been working long hours, but making sure I get my sleep in! It's difficult to get carried away with sketching and designs or researching and reading, so I'm trying to be as constructive as possible and make plenty of lists to work through each day.

Pinterest

I'm loving this website, such a clever idea... Now I have a perfect place to put all of my quick research finds and general visual gems.

For example:

http://pinterest.com/jodie_curley/

Abbott Miller Wallpaper

Paul showed me this, which I fell in love with instantly...

Such an amazing yet simple concept to create repeat patterns for walls and interiors, in a really effective and straightforward way. I love the transition of handmade to digital - without losing the handmade and tactile sense of the original effect of the inks.
Full blog post available here.

Made: Pop-Up Shop

Last week I sent in my application for the Leeds College of Art Pop-Up Shop, MADE,  to be held on the 17th - 19th May. I'm hoping to sell my ceramics, cards and books.

This afternoon I went along to the first seminar ran by ArtsMix about marketing and selling work. Also discovered as students submitting and selling our work, this shop is entirely down to the students as well - a task I didn't realise we'd have to undertake!! This means more commitment and time out of my already hectic schedule, I'm hoping they're sympathetic to third year students who have  a lot on their plates already.

At the moment, it looks like maximum 2 hours a week to this project, then the odd half a day producing more work to sell. I feel this is a manageable commitment and a very relevant one in 1) promotion of my work 2) experience in selling my work and 3) money!! All of which are extremely valuable for me now and the near future. 

With all of this in mind, I've constructed a bit of a diagram of my workload, expectations and available time. This will be a reference point when I feel like time's getting too tight and I can decide what's best to drop/cut down and be sensible about my actions. 

Fingers crossed all goes to plan.