We went to the opening of the The Contemporary Craft Festival and as you can see from the only picture I managed to take outside it poured with rain. The work this year is however some of the best yet, (I’ve been for the last seven years). The two small pots I bought are by James Hake, lovely little pieces with a very fine ash type glaze. I really like the way he has incorporated his finger marks on the base of the pot, a deliberate feature that the glaze runs into and turns into those characteristic dribbles. I met Jo Downs the glass maker, Wish Sticks and all that. She welcomes visits to her factory in Launceston so that definitely on my list for next year. Rachel Darbourne’s clinical waste sack jewellery was selling very well, such a beautiful simple idea, Annie bought a pair of yellow earrings with gold centres. Said hello to Nic Harrison, his stand was great, high fired temoku domestic ware. He has moved inside this year and is not giving throwing demonstrations, he told me that he got very wet last year! Good move if this weekends weather is anything to go by. I had a long chat to Helen Noakes, tiny people set into resin, we discussed Tiny Man and were I could find some friend for him, she does a line in tiny tennis players. Peter Archer’s wooden turned forms are some of the most refined turned wood that I have ever seen. The turning process involves using a hook to hollow out the inside, all judged by feel using a hook tool. Super light and finished with stain and wax which is then over worked. Adam Buick’s work speaks for itself, refined technically excellent and just out there. One day I will be able to afford a piece.
http://www.jodowns.com/About.html
http://www.racheldarbourne.com/
http://www.turned-wood.co.uk/ Peter Archer
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