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Turning Earth Highgate will be firing a replica Roman kiln in September, filled with pots made from locally sourced clay and built and decorated in the typical ‘poppyhead’ style. Ten Roman kilns were discovered in Highate Woods during an archaeological dig in the late 1960s-early ‘70s, and one is currently in Wales, being restored by experts. It’s incredible to think that pots were made like this for literally thousands of years. Things have changed so much in a relatively short time, with the discovery of new materials, the development of glazes, and firing in gas and electric kilns. These new developments have opened up the world of ceramics into one filled with colour and texture, clay bodies capable of translucency or durability. Really, these days, the only restriction is your…

Looking at the materials required and the high firing costs, it’s not easy to do pottery in a sustainable way, but it’s important to learn more about the processes involved in order to be able to make more informed choices. Chalk and limestone both contain calcium carbonate, which is used to make concrete and is also in ceramic glazes. When you fire calcium carbonate to high temperatures, it gives off carbon dioxide gas, the main cause of global warming. The cement/concrete industry is a huge contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, but it has struck me that we are doing the same when we use whiting in our glazes in ceramics, though on a much smaller scale. Whiting, chalk, or calcium carbonate is a cheap, useful flux in glazes. It makes…

SCOTLAND STEF BAXTER POTTERY Courses: Handbuilding & throwing day class drop-in. Night and weekend classes. 1-1 tuition & Raku classes. Suitable for all levels. Open access coming. Dates: see website Location; Govan, Glasgow stefbaxterpottery.com CLAY HALF POTTERY STUDIO Courses: Beginner-intermediate throwing, handbuilding, glazing, adult & child and prosecco & pottery classes. Private classes for 1-8 people & pottery birthday parties Dates : weekly/monthly/by arrangement Location: Montrose, Angus clayhalf.com CLAY WORKS STUDIO Courses: All levels from beginners to intermediate. Taster courses, general pottery and throwing courses. Open access facility for more advanced makers coming soon Dates: See website Location: Dumfries & Galloway clayworksstudios.co.uk DUNDEE CERAMICS WORKSHOP Courses: Classes for all levels from beginner to intermediate, for individuals and groups. 1-1 tuition available. Open studio access and kiln hire for members Dates:…

ROMAN KILN FIRES UP! Turning Earth opened its Highgate studio two years ago this September, and it has grown into a welcoming community of creatives and makers from the local area. Its active community has put on several shows and markets in its studio, as well as local florist shops and public spaces. On 21st September, the studio opens its doors for a seasonal market, when its community of potters will sell their handmade ceramics and artworks, with live music and demonstrations. The same weekend will also see a wood-firing in a replica Roman kiln. Turning Earth has built a relationship with Highgate Woods' groundskeepers and was allowed to experiment with the local clay-rich deposits. The woods are steeped in pottery-making heritage from the 1st and 2nd centuries, so it's…

DIFFICULTY RATING You will need: ■ Clay of choice – earthenware or stoneware■ General tools and ribs■ Paper, pencil, craft knife to make a wing template■ Rolling pin and roller guides (no thicker than 5mm)■ Glaze of choice 1 Begin by drawing the rudimentary shape of the bird in your sketchbook so you have something to reference as you work. 2 Begin by forming two equal amounts of clay into balls, the weight of each being entirely dependent on the amount you feel capable of pinching and the size of the bird you want to make – ours roughly fills the palm of the hand. 3 Holding the first ball in one hand, press down into its centre with the thumb of your other hand until you can feel some…

DIFFICULTY RATING A note to prevent wordy repetition Always compress the clay at the rim after each lift – pinch the rim gently between your fingers and thumb, resting the forefinger of your other hand on the rim and applying gentle pressure. You will need: ■ 900g (2lb) clay – earthenware or stoneware ■ Tools for throwing – water bowl, sponge, cutting wire, rib ■ Glazes of choice to suit clay type ■ A selection of brushes for glaze application and fine detail Before you begin: Prepare your clay by kneading it well to remove any possible trapped air. You can work directly on the wheel head if you are confident that you can lift the holder off when finished; otherwise, fix a batt to the wheel head. We have…

PROJECT THREE DIFFICULTY RATING YOU WILL NEED: ■ A4 sheet of paper to make the template ■ Pencil, ruler, craft knife and cutting mat if you have one ■ Clay of choice – earthenware or stoneware ■ Rolling pin, 5mm-thick roller guides, plastic sheet ■ General tools and ribs ■ A selection of texture stamps, including a round one, if decorating your surface like ours ■ Glaze of choice BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Our panel has a window cut out at the centre, behind which you could attach a mirror, photograph, or picture. If you choose this option, you will need to accommodate its dimensions when making your template. 1 Begin by making the outline template shape for the wall panel. We are using an A4 sheet of paper, but yours…

DIFFICULTY RATING You will need: ■ A rectangular frame made from angle-edged wood trim – available from many DIY stores. These can easily be made using a wood saw and mitre to measure the correct angles for the corners and wood glue to hold the sides together. OR: A solid wood or MDF block cut to your chosen dimensions with bevelled sides-you may require the use of a particular piece of machinery to make a block of this kind, but many wood suppliers will cut shapes like this for you for a small fee. Thick foam block (upholstery thickness) In addition: ■ Clay of choice – earthenware or stonware■ Rolling pin, roller guides (no thicker than5mm), plastic sheet■ General ribs and tools■ Glazes of choice—If you choose our method of…

We must take it a bit easier and work more sensible hours when we get back from Devon’, we said. Ha, fat chance of that! I’ll explain why in a bit, but first, let me tell you about our excursion to the West Country. We were invited to Devon to participate as exhibitors and demonstrators in the Craft Festival, Bovey Tracey. This was the third time we’d been invited to demo, but the last two times, we’d had to decline the invitation because Hannah was so poorly with morning sickness. It’s tricky to do as many shows as we used to since Pippin and Fred have been at school, as most of them fall within term time, but on this occasion, the school gave us permission to take them away…