pretty madness

I am currently working toward next big event in April, British Craft Trade Fair. BCTF is one of the biggest trade show in Britain established since 1977, where over 500 exhibitors showcasing their ‘Made in Britain’ products to the professional buyers. I am delighted to be a part of this show as a new comer among many established artists and makers, but the pressure is paramount. I’ve experienced BCTF during my degree study and I found it quite daunting. As this is trade only and not really open to the general public, the atmosphere can be tense. What if no one shows any interests and being stood there for three days twiddling my thumb? Such worry popping into my head now and again. 

I wanted to make the range of work wider, but there was too little time to develop, after all I could not manage to extend much since last year. Reviewing prices a number of times. Sorting out my marketing materials and literature, photos to take, more documents to prep, website to complete etc. Planning a display is the hardest one. To make a small cubicle attractive, inviting and professional. To bring the feel to match my work, which hopefully helps finding my niche audience. Yet, I cannot spend huge resources on this and need to consider within my capability. Over the last few weeks, many many sketches and ideas have come and gone. I am still drawing. Only a month to go. Pretty madness is this. 

Only one benefit is that luckily I live very local to the venue. Some are coming a long way. Any last minute hiccups, I may still be able to sort out. (Well, I hope…) And the good news is that an image of my porcelain lilypad has appeared on their invitations and the advertisement in the latest issue of Ceramic Review magazine! I am very flattered. 

Anyway, unless you try it you will never know what may happen next. So fingers crossed for all being good. xm 

P O T C A N F L Y

experimenting with new forms. 'hanetsubo' flying vases. xm

new rakugaki

just out of bisque firing. ready for glazing tomorrow. xm

scissors and slip

new work in progress 

mess in progress

simply cut out newspaper as i feel like and stencil with slip. this very old fashioned way of decorating gives me quite a buzz rather than painting. xm

Mark Hearld workshop

one of Mark’s recent work showcased at YSP

Yesterday my friend and I went to Yorkshire Sculpture Park to attend Mark Hearld’s workshop. “Different ways to look at paper”, as the title of the workshop, it was a wonderful session of collage making. As he said, it was about a spontaneous and flexible way to use paper and scissors to create your image on 2D. The workshop was chock full of interesting view points and an insight of him, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

YSP has spectacular surroundings (if you haven’t been, you must!) and gave me lots of ideas. We walked with Mark listening to some of his inspirations, followed by watching his demo, then it’s our turn to get mucked in! I made geese around a small river with oak forages and reeds. It was a good fun. What do you think?

His current exhibition “Birds and Beasts” at YSP opens till 17th February. Well worth visit! xm

white light

spring is still quite a while away. 

want to feel just a little bit inside.

xm

Made with Love exhibition

I am delighted to inform you that my 'hanetsubo' range is taking part of the front house exhibition ‘Made with Love’ at prestigious Craft Centre and Design Gallery in Leeds. The exhibition showcases jewellery, ceramics and work in mixed media by many wonderful artists. It starts this Saturday19th January and opens until 16th March. For more information, please click here. Hope you can make it. xm

slow motion

The most of the UK had snow today. The studio (shed) temperature won’t go up much even though the gas stove is set on full power. Putting a plenty of layered cloths on, I try to finish off a turning job but clay is too wet to do so. Instead I am literally just watching clay to dry. Used to like a snowy day when I was a kid. It is rather problematic when I face a deadline. xm

magic rug

we have bought this rug (i call it magic rug) ages ago for the specific room, but it is still wrapped in a roll ever since. this is because that specific room was supposed to be renovated, but the things happened one to another as you know and we have been postponing this plan. doing up your house is such a long term process. nevertheless we are finally doing this room this year. yes, this year! (not sure when) i am already excited about getting this magic rug out there once day soon (maybe soon?) xm 

happy 2013

it cannot be missed on a new year's day. 

(can you tell what it is?)

i hope 2013 is a good year for you. 

xm 

ho ho ho

thank you so much for all your support this year. 

wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a fab 2013!

see you in a new year, everyone! 

xm

anticipation

working in the studio at this time of year is hard. thermometer said minus. turn the gas bottle on the first thing in the morning to warm up the frosty shed. wedging cold clay freezes up my hand. the radio helps me to build up the mood gradually and i start working on the wheel. ticking things to do this year. almost there. ready to fly in January.  

apart from the studio work, it is officially my last working week of this year. bringing up fun and relaxed mood by making decorations, printing tags, wrapping presents. winding down near the fire with fabulous Ed Sheeran on in the background. nearly there… xm

smile maker of the week #7

A beautiful pair of ‘molecule’ earrings by Northern Ireland based glass artist Catherine Keenan 

For quite sometime I was looking for dangling earrings in this particular colour to go with my favourite range of clothes (I like combining purple accessories with my greenish dress) and wondering if it can be done with her gorgeous handmade glass... I was delighted when Catherine kindly accepted my request! And it has arrived just before Christmas! Thank you so much Catherine. 

Visit her site to see the wide range of her glass work here. You may find your fav, too! xm

London Delight

We went to London last weekend. We had a wonderful time meeting artists, seeing their work and just spending our free time together. Today, I would like to share three fabulous artists and work, who we met during our stay. 

The main aim of the visit was to go to Makoto Kagoshima’s solo exhibition. Makoto’s ceramics are ever so popular worldwide today and I too absolutely adore his work. On this occasion we actually met him in person whilst he was visiting London for a week. It was interesting to peek his insight, listen to his philosophy and his view of making ‘utsuwa’ (vessels for food) not art pieces. (though, I think they stand well as art!) The image is beautiful blue & white pieces that we brought home. Can’t wait to use them with family at Christmas! The exhibition is still open at Gallery Eclectic until 23rd December, but the stock is getting small so you’d better hurry. 

Next, visiting open studio of Japanese ceramicist Mizuyo Yamashita. I’ve sort of become a blog friend of her and also met her before at Origin (blogged here), but visiting her actual studio was the very first time. The view from her studio on the 7th floor was just amazing, gazing twinkles of London architectures and sky. (I am so envious!) We liked Mizuyo’s recent thrown pieces with curving design, including these tiny goblets. It would be nice drinking mulled wine in them or can be used for snacks and vegetable sticks? I love pondering the possibility over the food, table and ceramics. What would you use them for? 

Finally, and this was an exciting surprise, Buddug was at the same studio! You may have seen her gorgeous enamel work from the lovely shop collaborated with Jessie Chorley in Colombia Road. We did not know that she was a part of this open studio and I’ve always loved her style of work, so you can guess how much I was delighted! A very very charming lady she was. Her spoon is a kind of iconic piece (tradition of her home country Wales) and this was actually a second, but isn’t it just beautiful? Thank you so much and lovely to meet you, Buddug! xm 

Giveaway Result!

Thank you for entering my giveaway. 

The three lucky winners are…. (drum roll please),

Giveaway 1: a set of four ‘mazekoze’ postcards is going to 

Imen

Giveaway 2: ‘POTCANFLY’ porcelain brooch is going to 

Rozalinde

Giveaway 3: porcelain Christmas hanging is going to 

Simone

Congratulations! 

Please email me to makikohastings@gmail.com your full name and address, so that I can post you as soon as possible. Don’t forget post code and country name! Thank you. xm