2010 July | Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics

Fresh from the Kiln – Part 3

This is the last post for the ‘Fresh from the kiln’ series, I hope you’ve enjoyed viewing my latest work. Here are some new heart bowls, the shiny red glaze with brown speckles has turned out well, and the melted glass also looks effective. I love the natural heart bowl in the middle, and have decided to keep this one for myself

My mushroom bowls are becoming popular, which is good because they are fun to make!

Here’s a selection of new vases;

The ‘driftwood boat dish‘ below is part of a new series I’m working on. I’m really happy with the results and the effects are just what I was hoping to achieve. Click here to view more images of this dish in my Folksy shop, and click here to view a slightly different dish in the same style but in blue. I would love to hear what you think of them?

I’m also very pleased with the selection of bowls below. There are lots of combined decoration effects going on. Can you spot the impressed pistachio nut shells?

I seem to be using a lot of leaves in my work at the moment. I particularly like this shorter vase below with leaves raised from the surface.

Thats all for now. View part 1 and part 2 of new work fresh from the kiln if you missed them!

Fresh from the Kiln – Part 2

Thank you to those who left comments on yesterday’s post for part 1 of ‘fresh from the kiln’. I love hearing your thoughts, especially on new pieces of work as it helps me to gauge which items might be more popular.

The large decorative platter above would make a striking featured centre piece on a table, and would also make a fun fruit bowl. It has been decorated with fresh summery colours, and has small flowers impressed into the surface. It also has melted glass in the base – the colours purple, red and white have all merged together and it looks really effective.

I was pleased with the results of these vases below, I love how each one comes from the same mould but has been decorated to look totally different. I bet my nan will be after the blue vase, her house is full of my blue ceramics!

My pistachio nut design is back! I’ve also used it on some bowls but they will be shown in tomorrows post.

I’ve also made some new letter racks, here are a few;

You might remember seeing some fun designs on plaques when I posted about my work in progress a few weeks ago. I made these on a day when I felt like trying something different. I think they will sell well at craft fairs.

Thank you for viewing some of my new work, I hope you like it! As always please feel free to leave your comments, and come back tomorrow if you’re interested in seeing more!

Fresh From the Kiln – Part 1

Over the next few days I’ll be posting a series of new work that came out of the kiln this week. Opening a kiln containing fired work is a very exciting moment for many Ceramicists, I always look forward to seeing how items have turned out.

I’ll be adding some of my new work to my online shops over the next few days. But not everything, as I’ll be going to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta in 2 weeks where I will be selling my work from a huge craft marquee, so all new items will be coming with me, and hopefully won’t be coming back with me!

The frosted mushroom bowl above is one of my favourites, I love the effect of the melted glass in the base.

The 2 heart plaques below were made in response to my last batch selling out. The green plaque is available here, and the brown plaque is available here.

This butterfly pendant is also available at my online store. I took it to the craft fair I was at on Sunday, and it got a lot of attention, so I think I’ll be making some more. The butterfly doesn’t have to be worn as a necklace, it could also be used as a hanging decoration.

Here’s my first heart clock…

and here’s a leaf clock which is one of my favourites. The design is much different to my usual style, and I think the gold hands work well with it.

Come back tomorrow to see some new vases, pots, letter racks, a platter, and some more plaques with fun designs that I really enjoyed making.

Summer Fair & Panel Presentation

You might remember my previous post about a summer craft fair at a new venue, the Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre. I was at this fair yesterday, and despite the venue being very small (there were only about 8 stalls altogether), I was very pleased with the items I sold, and did better than expected. Overall it was quite a slow day, but picked up during the last 2 hours which I think was expected for this venue. Most people were just visiting the area to either walk their dogs, walk along the lake, and enjoy the scenery. Many customers told me they didn’t realise there would be a craft fair there, so it was a pleasant surprise for some of them.

Because the space was very limited, I was restricted to only one table, and I am used to having two. I was worried I wouldn’t have enough room to display everything, but I managed to use a few boxes to alter and expand my space a little. Half of my tv display stand usually comes with me to craft fairs (see below), it’s brilliant for displaying items and adding height to the table! I decided not to take it yesterday as it would have taken up most of the table space. I still managed to create a balancing variation in height without it.

~ News ~

This morning I went to a jurying session where I had to show and talk about my work to 8 people on a panel. You may also remember my previous post about this last month – it was to apply for membership to be part of the Northamptonshire Guild of Designer Craftsmen. The people on the panel were all current members of the Guild, and they were all very friendly and welcoming. I was very nervous about it all this morning, but I shouldn’t have been! It was quite informal and I had a cup of tea. I was expecting them to say “Right, go ahead, tell us about your work…”, and I was prepared to do that, but it was just general chatter and they each asked questions. They said my portfolio and presentation were professional, which was good to hear because it is something I am picky about and hoped I had everything just right.

The selection of work I took was this riverside vessel below, a set of 4 natural leaf coasters, a natural vase and my summer dish.

I am now waiting to hear back from them to find out if I am selected to join the Guild as a member. It will be a fantastic opportunity if I am selected, it would be great to be part of a group of like-minded people that are all passionate about what they do too.

Outdoor Inspirations

After collecting wood, experimenting with new hanging decorations, deciding to make my own bunting, and loving being outdoors this week, I thought I’d share some current images that are inspiring me;

1. Wooden Ship by Maya Made

2. Felt Bird House by What No Mints

3. Spot Design Solar Lantern by Glow Box

4. Fourth of July Garland by Maggie Makes

Wind Chime Mobiles

I’ve been working on a new project this week, and have really enjoyed working outside of my comfort zone.

I’ve had quite a few small bits and pieces of decorative ceramics lying around for a while, that I’ve either kept because I wasn’t sure what to do with them, or they are broken bits from a piece that I didn’t want to throw away – I can always find a use for everything!

After a trip to Hobby Craft last weekend I bought some copper wire and decided to use some of the ceramic ‘scraps’ and some of my handmade buttons to incorporate into a hanging mobile or wind chime.

I also used strips of coloured glass and shells. The overall look of the outcome is very natural, just what I was hoping for.

I’m really pleased with the results and will be making a few more with different sized pieces of wood that I collected from the country park. Now that I know the idea works well, I’ll be a bit more experimental with my next designs.

It was quite difficult to photograph it, to capture the full beauty of the piece. I had fun photographing the shadows too!

The hanging charms make a delightful ‘clinking’ sound when blown in the breeze.

This hanging wind chime mobile is available to purchase from my online shops. You can shop via my direct store, Folksy, Etsy or Swanky Maison.

I also made another mobile using thick green garden wire (below). It doesn’t create the same delicate and elegant look, so I’ve decided to stick with using copper wire. My mum however loves the outcome of this piece and has decided she wants to keep it for herself!

What are your thoughts? Do you prefer the copper wire or green garden wire look?

My New Top

My top has arrived from Karen of Angelic Folk, I love it!

I first saw this design on Karen’s stall at the Castle Ashby craft fair last month. It was designed as a little girls dress and I fell in love with it, and asked Karen to make me a grown up version as a top

It even has cute little buttons on the shoulders;

and it fits perfectly! Now I’m just hoping we get lots more warmer weather so I can wear it out in the sunshine.

Karen designs and makes bespoke clothing for children (and also adults as I recently found out!) She has been featured in Vogue magazine, and currently sells her items on Folksy and Etsy. One of my favourite products are these adorable little lace up baby boys shoes – Makes me want a baby to dress them in!!

Collecting Nature

I couldn’t help noticing many of nature’s organic objects at our local country park whilst we were out walking this evening. I’m terrible for picking things up, inspecting them, and usually popping them in my carrier bag for use as inspiration. (I do wash my hands when I get home!)

At the moment I’m currently working on some new decorative hanging mobiles, using fired pieces of ceramic, shells, glass, and copper wire. I wanted to use some suitable twigs or branches to attach the decorative hanging bits and bobs, so the twigs I collected from the country park will make good use for that. I wish I lived closer to the sea so I could use driftwood, but I’m going to have a go at washing my collected twigs in sea water to try to create the same driftwood effect.

This week over at Poppytalk, there is an inspiring project going on called Collecting Nature. People from all over the world are uploading their nature finds into this Flickr Group Pool, and then will later share projects using their finds. I’ve uploaded these photos of my organic objects to the group, why not join in and share yours too?

Alternatively you could just browse the images in the group, theres tonnes of inspiration!

Wanted – Stall Holders for Craft Event

Last year I was one of the exhibitors at a craft fair organised by Claire of Lady Luck Jewellery, at the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre. You might remember me mentioning it, it is called the

Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience.

Designers above: Sparrow Primitives, Pennydog, Blue Butterfly Glass, Petal Textiles

It was definitely one of my best events of the year, and was extremely well organised by Claire. I am delighted to be exhibiting at the fair again this year on 5th December 2010. With the date being so close to Christmas, we are bound to have plenty of customers doing some shopping for Christmas gifts. The event showcases high quality independent artists and designers who will be selling unique hand crafted wares – a perfect opportunity for meeting the designers and buying products that you won’t find on the High Street.

Fingerprint KNR Jewellery, Brackencraft, Pinnikity, Hodge Podge Arts

The event holds just over 100 different handmade stalls and there are currently some spaces left, although spaces are now fully booked for jewellery and cards. If you are interested in exhibiting your work at this fantastic venue, please e-mail Claire for a booking form: mail(at)ladyluckjewellery.co.uk (replacing the (at) with @).

For more information, please visit the Contemporary Craft Shopping Experience website here, where a current exhibitors list is also available.

Raw Elements, Cards & Candles for all occasions, Helen Billingsley Ceramics, Minimal Marzipan

The images shown are all work from just some of the talented artists and designers that will be at this event.

Let me know if you decide to come along as a visitor or stall holder, or if you are already booked in. Hope to see you there!

Tea Light Bowls & Pendants

All of the little bowls with melted coloured glass in the bases that came out of the kiln last week are so attractive to look at, and many people have commented on the striking colours.

The bowls are now available at my online store in the Bowls & Dishes section. There are a wide range of colours to choose from including;

Amber ~ Lime Green ~ Cherry Red ~ Ice Blue ~ Diamond ~ White Crystal ~ Bottle Green ~ Deep Purple ~ Cerise ~ Coffee ~ Deep Sea Blue ~ Frosted Lake ~ Natural Ice ~ Olive Green ~ Pink Ice ~ Sea Shore ~ Sky Blue ~ Teal

Each bowl is approx 5cm diameter, perfect for holding a tea light candle or for holding rings and other trinkets. Alternatively they would make attractive features displayed on their own, or in a cluster with other colours. There are currently only 1 of each colour available, so each bowl is a one-off. I will be making more but I want to see how things go with the first batch. A few of these bowls have been listed in my Folksy Shop, but all colours are available from my direct store.

Also new in my shops this week are some ceramic pendants on coloured ribbon. A selection of pendants are available here, and the teal pendant above is available in my Folksy Shop here.

Stratford Butterfly Farm

The tropical environment of the Stratford Butterfly Farm is simply breath taking. You can see hundreds of the world’s most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying all around. This was definitely one of the highlights of our day trip to Stratford on Saturday.

These huge leaves below stood out at me, I love the look of them all clustered together at different heights;

There were some really pretty coloured and patterned butterflies;

and some of them even land on you;

There were hundreds of colourful wild flowers at the entrance outside the butterfly farm which attracted me in;

This is the pond where Dave’s sunglasses fell in when he was feeding the fish!

There was a bench right next to this table with sliced oranges, pineapple and bananas, which was swamped with one particular type of butterfly. They loved the sweet juice from the oranges and pineapples and I loved the smell!

How beautiful are these lilies in this pond?

If you are looking for a relaxing day out, Stratford is definitely a recommendation from me!

Trip to Stratford

On Saturday me and Dave went for a day out in Stratford Upon Avon, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK, and birthplace of William Shakespeare. The weather was absolutely baking, and there were hundreds of people about. I last visited Stratford when I was little so didn’t remember it much. It is definitely one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I’ve been to, and would recommend it if you’ve never been. We ate a picnic on the grass alongside the river and watched a rowing boat race with people dressed in funny costumes.

The highlight of our day had to be the ride down the river in a rowing boat, although we almost crashed plenty of times! While Dave was rowing, I had to pull on 2 different ropes which were attached to a paddle under the boat, and were supposed to be used for steering, but I didn’t realise I was pulling the wrong one for ages, which meant Dave was rowing one way and I was pulling the rope in the opposite direction! No wonder we almost crashed!! But it was fun.