Tile Babe Tales

New Look...

2011-01-10T16:04:00.001Z

Hello Lovely People...

Wow.. I forgot how orange it is in here... it's been to long!

Well I'm told the last year is gone now so I have hauled my overfed self into work mode and made a good start on restocking the online shop (yes, Etsy at the mo but soon to also be the cool German site, Dawanda and the up n coming GB site, Folksy .)

Thanks to this:

...and yes we all know what this is in the UK.... anyway, thanks to this, my clay has been frozen solid since the start of December; not only in the bags it comes in but also in my pugmill which is the first stage of everything I do more or less.

For those wot don't know, Captain Pugmill is a large de-airing clay-chomper and extruder which pushes sheets of clay at me ready for transformation into gorgeous and magical items by my fair hands.

Well at the moment it's a TOTALLY USELESS LUMP OF CLAY AND STEEL!!! Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggg.

Breath.

So... current orders and commissions are at a bit of a standstill, unless they consist of very small things only.

I do have some stock left from the Christmas fairs that were snowed off (I'm sorry, this is a very bitter post. Somebody light me a fag...) so I've revamped the Etsy Shop and am filling it with badges/brooches which I think look rather splendid actually.

It may be all the shocking colour in this white/grey January. Or it may that they are fabulous. It's not for moi to say...

A taster...

Click on the shop link on the right for a gander, do...

Dunning Craft Fair

2010-11-25T15:30:00.000Z

This is what I shall be up to this weekend... squeeeeeeeezing in a bit of selling between commissions and lengthy lists of things to do! Tell the world!!! (or at least your friends!)

Ps.. I has Owls... that's one of the handsome devils there in the bottom left corner...

Perthshire Open Studios... final push!!!

2010-09-17T23:17:00.000+01:00

Ok, the trouble with being busy is that you don't have time to blog/tweet/blah on about what you're doing just when you need to!!!
So I went from selling at the Edinburgh Festival last month, and the loveliness of this....

...My stand at the West End 3d2d Craft and Design Fair...(so clean, so light and airy...).... to this:

..not clean, not airy... just a pit, otherwise known as my pre- Perthshire Open Studios workshop... neglected and sad... and did I say, a pit... I mean, there's a single shoe there in the centre of the floor - why????

Anyway, miracles began to happen:

Well hello light and airy... welcome back! And finally:

Oops... thought I'd slip that in so we can all admire Archie's astounding contribution to this event...

Ah yes, to this... um, maybe I cluttered up the space again with all my work on display but they tell me that's the point, so hey-ho.

Anyway, this is the final weekend! Hooray... no more house arrest on Monday!!! Er, I mean, boo.... no more chatting to lovely visitors and enjoying selling my work and sharing my passions...

Really, it has been a good week, with lovely interested folks touring about the back roads and secret places of Perthshire, enjoying coming upon these treasure troves of creativity that are dotted about!

Come see me - I'm open til 7pm for the last 2 evenings... yeah - the big push!

West End Craft and Design Fair, Edinburgh

2010-08-12T22:10:00.000+01:00

Hello All....

Flippin' heck - it'd been intense... so intense that I've failed to post yet about my annual big selling event!

As usual, Edinburgh is buzzing during the festival and it's fab to catch up with craft fair buddies....
Stand is looking lush though I do say so myself... lots of new goodies this year and plenty fresh from the kiln as usual! Nothing like some last minute inspiration...

Break for Nature

2010-07-08T23:51:00.001+01:00

Ah... hello... it's been a while. Life continues with The Nasturtium Fireplace surround coming closer to an end - looking super-good but have to remake a couple of the tiles... and there's always tweaking. End in sight though...prasise be! My client loved the last sample and the colours are coming out a-stunning indeed!

Anyway, on a quick break from the clay (please), I am giving you a quick wildlife interlude with this:

She was vying for my attention at my Mum's pond recently, with this young chap..

Nice to see a grown amphibian as it's been tadpole soup in there for ages. I could stare into the depths of this wee pond all day. Tis serene, I tell ya!

Sigh...

Anyhoo, that was enjoyable, now back to the grindstone!

Fireplace Tiles... a step closer to success?

2010-06-22T00:58:00.002+01:00

Right then.... that was a long cliff-hanger. "And so exciting", I hear you shriek! Well, I'm here to put my lovely followers out of their misery re the whole glaze-testing-fireplace-tile-scenario thingmie.

It worked.

That's it.
Mwhahahahahahahah. My little joke. Voila.

Yes, I think you'll agree, and I certainly hope my client agrees, that this is much brighter, accurate and generally very bonny indeed. Got some tweeking to do now I see what those glazes are like to paint with and I might just drop the red but generally... pretty pleased.

And since I overfired some in the bicuit firing like a complete twat (see new, over-enthusiastic kiln elements.. blast!), I'll have a few to practice on while I get it right. Silver lining la la la etc - this is the attitude we hapless ceramicists have to adopt as we take another happy-slapping from the Kiln Gods...

Service Interuption... I've just found a glass of wine I poured for myself 2 hours ago and FORGOT TO DRINK!!!!

*stares in disbelief*

Anyway, before I sign off to go and remedy that, this one-off variation on my Vessels Tile range came out right nice yesterday.

Just thought I'd share that before I go off and ~~drink the wine and pass out~~ do some more important stuff.

Fireplace and life

2010-06-18T01:52:00.001+01:00

Well, life has been so... topsey turvey and complicated lately! All interuptus and not enough workus. However, parents' health willing, I can get a smooth go at finishing some commissions for a while; and starting new ones.
Not that it's just the Aged P's that have been in need of my attentions; some deadlines and events just refuse to be moved!
Like Potfest (see older post) and the PVAF Big Forum Weekend I was involved in organising. (That's Perthshire Visual Artists' Forum to yooz.) http://www.pvaf.org.uk/ for a lookie at what we get up to!
I was taking care of the bookings and by the time it actually happened I had taken up self harming and was eyeing the modem with a view to ripping the wires out and hanging myself. Really, artists are (generalising here, m'kay?) the most last-minute and dizzy group of individuals - I do include myself in that statement. Sometimes. Occasionally. NOT ANYMORE!
Anyway, by the time the Forum was properly underway and we were all feeling inspired and a-buzz with fab speakers etc, I was in love with the world again and even managed to be sociable till the very end. And they said it couldn't be done! Pah!

However, all of this has not been helping my patient clients and the Fireplace (see earlier post) is still being created bit by bit. It did not help that I got some of the maths wrong (!) and have had to cut a few extra sizes, but no harm done. So I've been testing and, consequently, ordering glazes this week.

These are what the raw glazing looks like before firing and this was the first attempt. Normally I don't do a 'finished piece' test but in this case, I want to see the whole look. People who say "oh, I like it better before it gets fired" get a hard slap.

Ok. I like it better before it was fired too. Actually, the greenery is fine I think but the nasturtium itself is too dull and muddy. Having said that, my neighbour flippin' LOVED IT so of course, it's all subjective! I don't think it's what my esteemed client is looking for, though, so onwards...

The next test is in the kiln and it will tell me everything I need to know! Wish me luck. I've used brighter, more compatible colours and added some more green so we shall see. Listen out for screams of joy or horror!

Next lot before firing...

I'll get back to you!

They Rock...

2010-06-16T01:51:00.001+01:00

AT LAST.... The Big Gay Biker Dudes are up for sale....

~oh yeah, Bebeeeeeh~

Possess one by hitting the Etsy button on the right.

Coming soon... Lady Badges ~ they are pretty and they wax their moustaches on a regular basis....

Quickie Postie...

2010-06-11T02:11:00.002+01:00

Veeery quick catch-up re Potfest et al... I saw a lot of this the night before the set-up!

At least it was bonnie
Then as usual it took hours just to arrange my tables and random clothage!

God... HOURS in!

Hours later...

Two tables, THREE??? Oh, not enough clothage even with mad folds and disguises... two then. Humph.

Finally...

My sis doesn't like the red, fancy cloths... I think it would be fine with no black... work in progress. The shelves were dragged out at the last minute... will paint next time. I'm a professional, me!

Right, well after all that it could have been a whole lot busier, but what with Potfest Scotland moving dates and venue and TOWN, I'm sure it's just a transitional phase..... mmhmmm.

(The new agricultural mart is a much nicer venue than the old Perth one, though... an open end with views over the nearby Trossachs and an actual cafe with more than one loo. Same old cow pee aroma but really, we'd miss it if it wasn't there. (in the mart, not the loos... stalls are too small for bovine rumpage)

So, while the regular 'punters' let me down in my bid to pay the rent for the 6th time this year, trade came up mini-trumps and saved the day.
New badges, Wall Pockets and other fresh and lovely new things have/will be winging their way to Culross Pottery/Gallery in Culross, Ealain Gallery in Drymen, Starfish Studio in Johnshaven and the very lovely and constantly-selling-my-work craft shop, The Wee Boorachie in Milton of Crathes.

Grand. I shall sit back and await the cheques and the glory!
Actually, I shall be up all hours, firing kilns, glazing, making, mucking about writing fascinating blogs etc and generally trying to play catch-up.

Sleep? For whimps.

Tired

2010-05-27T02:18:00.000+01:00

I am seriously knackered.

This is why:

and this ~ the nasturtium fire surround:

(part of which I overfired due to new over-enthusiastic kiln elements and the ability to sleep through FOUR alarms!!!)

It will be lovely when it's finally finished though...

Also rather weary what with making about a gazillion of these for said Potfest....

...and one or two other commisions and orders which are in the mix. One more whole day before the Potfest set up on Friday and it's gonna be PACKED!!!

Should probably check kiln and go for a snooze, then!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Dudes

2010-05-23T22:26:00.001+01:00

Some days you just happen to hit upon something so fine....so very, very fine....

And today was one of those days.

Oh yes.

Last 4 badges to go in today's biscuit kiln and I'm busily drawing pretty ladies with demi-waves and lipstick, a la:

Suddenly, a helmet appears... then a moustache.... then, before I can stop them.....

The Gay Biker Dudes are born!!!!!!!

I love them.

I may never make anything else.

Ever.

Boo Vake Mini exhibition

2010-05-20T01:39:00.001+01:00

Pant, pant... Been rushing around, not writing this blog, but getting things through the kiln for the Ceri White mini exhibition at Boo Vake, creating lots of new work for that and Potfest, continuing with commisions and finishing orders and networking furiously online.
Pause for breath.... anyway... here is the invite for the first thing:

Some goodies out of the kiln:

And it's been all badges, badges, badges, ladies with demi-waves and ~ oooh, y'know - stuff that flows from my fevered brain!

Must dash...

Byeeeeeeeeee

Kiln Repairing Workshop Happenings...

2010-05-09T23:43:00.001+01:00

Is it Sunday night already???????? *weeps* Been a busy week in the CWS Empire.
The result of which is this...

Nightmare!!! I can't help it... I have Potfest in a few weeks! Not to mention a number of orders and commisions...

Actually let's ignore that and pretend everything's fine, la la la...
So, I did a very good thing this week, production-wise: I changed my kiln elements after *cough* a number of years. Seriously, I could have fired tiles quicker just holding a match to them. First thing to do when your pristine and shiny new elements arrive (and after unplugging the thing) is remove the back of the kiln...

Er, er... ............ No, it looks bad but let me tell you I have tackled bigger kiln electrics that look prehistoric and a lot more crispy than this. Just get all the right bits to touch each other and not anything else and yer laughin'.
*looks around for the fire-blanket*
So this is where the elements terminate and hook up to the fizzy leckie. On the other side I was yanking out this:

Man those poor babies are well past retirement! (They are gonna look so good on the Lady-Robot costume I'm thinking of for a 2069 space party I'm attending soon though! I might wear them in my hair!)

Anyway, after much swearing, cutting my hands to ribbons and breathing lethal quantities of kiln fibre, (How many slivers of fibre does it take to do perminant damage, Ceri? Oh, I dunno... ONE?!!!), my little kiln looked like this:

Deep joy and much rejoicing! And yes it works! If only I could rejuvinate my own bits and bobs with so little effort.

Pauses for reflection....

Anyway, in anticipation of cuteness being a good thing for sales at Potfest, I've done some wee face badges and magnets - these are they in the raw:

And these are they biscuit fired:

Actually some of these, when finished and gloriously coloured, will debut at the mini Ceri at Boo Vake exhibition 20th-26th May (is that right, Arlene???)

So that's a bit of a catch-up... just to show that when I'm not getting my paws dirty with mud, I'm just getting them dirtier with... other stuff.

The fireplace continued... and more

2010-05-05T01:10:00.004+01:00

Well... I've been sizing and printing off the individual patterns for each tile in this masterpiece... at the moment I'm doing the tiles randomly as the pattern runs through them... bit tricky as the fired version is 7% smaller than its raw counterpart, thus:

It's not a huge difference but I want each tile to join up as seamlessly as possible. Of course, the sensible thing to do would be to work on them all at the same stage and I've finally cottoned on to this amazing concept!

It takes up more room, is all...
If you look closely you can see the traced pattern on the raw tile.

As well as this, I'm working on various orders and new work for Potfest Scotland which has moved from Perth to Stirling this year. Put it in your diary mmm'kay... May 29th to 31st. Got that?
So not panicking about that at all.. uh uh... no way... it's gonna be aaaaaaall riiiiiight. Loads of time! *grabs paper bag and breaths hard*

Um, anyway, where was I?? Oh yes... a couple more items in progress...

Plant Pockets!!!! Don't ask me why! They just came to me and it's nice to make something with a bit of a 3rd dimension (barely!) So, bit of wallpaper texture and they will have a touch of tubelining detail cos I just can't let it alone!!!!
They are firing in the kiln as I type so quite excited about that! Below are a few other new things that are in there too. Squeeeee!
(Sorry - that was unprofessional and probably not attractive...)

Lastly... and I'll say more about this at a more civilised hour (ie. not the wee small hours like it is noo)

...coming soon - an evening at Boo Vake, my fabulous Perth stockist. On the 20th May. Diary. Write it in. Thank you.

Post-meeting

2010-04-28T21:56:00.000+01:00

Hmmmm re The Flying Slippers (last post).
The whole idea sounded better in my head than coming out of my mouth.
Gulp.

Interlude...

2010-04-25T14:58:00.002+01:00

Aaaaah.... here is a quick interlude for you... Perthshire Sunset Under Ash...

Pretty huh? (sorry - that's two thirds of it... click for the sun part..)
Right, back to the daily grind....
I have now to bully some thoughts into clarity regarding my FLYING SLIPPER installation at Heartwood during this autumn's Perthshire Open Studios. Tomorrow I must usher forth a proposal about said naughty, wild, flying footwear in front of other artists and not make it sound either naff or twee.
Being Naff and Twee in front of other artists gets your head kicked in and causes shame and embarrassment and a lot of toe-staring.
Hence... my slippers will be quite dark. (and I don't mean, y'know, burgandy or something)

I'll report back after tomorrow.

Meanwhile the fireplace tiles are coming on but are still at the dull, plain, square, nothing-to-see-here stage. There's alot of donkey work in this game- it's not all heady glamour and giddy kiln openings.

TTFN

Nasturtium Fireplace Tiles

2010-04-19T00:22:00.000+01:00

I've been diligently recording various stages of my work recently so I can post them on here.... from new cartoon animal jewellery to a rather nice nasturtium fireplace I'm doing for a client.

Really anything that is around when I remember to grab the camera!

There will be eighteen 16cm tiles to this masterpiece and it'll be tubelined (piped liquid clay) with glazed infills.

Um, sounds good!

After agreeing a design with the client, I print each tile out and trace onto a raw clay clay tile I made earlier...nothing has been fired yet.

Good old carbon paper is all you need for this! Look closely and you'll see the lines on the clay.

then comes the part that requires a mightily steady hand... which I didn't have as I'd been glugging coffee as per!!!

Note to self... plan ahead wiv da caffiene. (I'll no be doing these in the mornings then.)

So, not too bad already... tubelining is one classy technique that is appearing like a rash all over my work!!! At least it's great until you get an air bubble in the bottle - then it parps slip all over your virgin clay.

Swearing is allowed and encouraged when this occurs.

Okay... said tile is consigned to the mercy of the kiln gods....

and then... voila.. clay is now ceramic. It's not the same, oh no.

Please note that I don't normally do one at a time! I'm using this one as a test... it may take a few goes to get the colour bang on at a later stage. That's a couple of soap dishes and a ring under there. Can't abide a half empty kiln.

Another episode soon in the exciting series of ' Work in Progress...'

Etsy

2010-03-23T23:45:00.002Z

I can tell these posts will be sporadic. At least for a while...

2010 has been, shall we say, a challenge to my entire well being so far.

Pauses for long sigh.

However, on the upside, I have opened an Etsy shop - everybody say "yeah"!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CeriWhiteStudios

It's going to take a while to fill but there are a few lovely items in there at the mo and it's fun getting down with the Americans (US handmade artisan site for those unfamiliar). Nice to be enthusiastic about something and to spell things weirdly!

This here Stripey soap dish isn't on Etsy yet but I'm just making some as they've been selling well, especially in the rather fab Concrete Wardrobe in Edinburgh.
I'm also doing some plain kitchen tiles for a client in Cherry, Terracotta, Cream and Soft White. They've been very patient while I tackle the afformentioned challenges and are coming on now.

This is what I was reduced to when it was minus 10 degrees for weeks though:

Yes, drying clay strips in the living room, and it STILL took days! Very happy see /feel? the temperature rise as production becomes a little less a.c.h.i.n.g.l.y s.l.o.w.

Aw jings, it's after midnight and the kiln needs checking.

Byeee.

The kick-off...

2010-02-06T18:40:00.000Z

Right, just to get this place looking less empty, here's picture or 2 of my work....

Ist up we have Mr Stag... handsome (all the lady deer say "aaaaaaaahhhhh").

He's is a 15x20cm earthenware tile. Truly a Monarch of the Glen.

I do other sizes and versions but this is my fave.

Next, because I wouldn't wish give the impression that it's all classic and windswept with me.... Round coasters and pot stands:

Finished with cork backing to protect the furniture from the scrapie ceramic as well as that dribbly tea mug. This is orange/spots pot stand (inspired by my dog... he's not orange but he is spotty) and turquoise/honey blob coaster (a glaze combination which is a bitch for going wrong!)

Last up for now, because this is exhausting and messy... a Jellyfish Tile, framed:

This one is about 7x21cm sans frame.

I think that's all for now as I have to feed the dog and the novelty of trying to position these pictures has worn off for one evening! Phew.