Category Archives: handmade ceramic magnets
Fresh from the kiln
Following on from some of my dandelion designs on bowls, here are a few on vases, I’m really pleased with them. Each are indivually handmade and although the forms of the vases above are the same, each one is decorated differently, no two are ever the same.
This set of six magnets below would brighten up a fridge or any other magnetic surface, and with the lovely engraved words, they are bound to put a smile on everyones faces!
Here are a set of 8 coasters featuring my pine tree design, that were ordered a couple of weeks ago by a customer in Scotland. I only had a set of 2 in stock, so I enjoyed making some more. I love the natural look to them, they would look gorgoeous outside on a garden table too.
I’ll be churning out lots of new pieces this week, so pop back for some updates from the workshop and some sneak peaks of work in progress!
I’ve also been featured by Laura of Cards and Candles For All Occasions this week, so if you fancy reading more about me check out her blog here 
Stocking Fillers
I can’t believe Christmas day is in 5 days! So much has been going on here, I haven’t had the chance to think how close Christmas is…
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I still have a few stocking fillers left to buy. If you are stuck for last minute ideas perhaps I could tempt you into my shop for some lovingly handmade items? Here are a few of my available stocking fillers that were added to my shop last week, but hurry, today is the last day for posting if the items needs to reach you in time for Christmas!
Fresh from the Kiln in December
Here are a selection of new goodies that have been uploaded to my website and Folksy shop this week. Click on the names of the items below the images to be taken directly to each product.
Enjoy!
Bits & Bobs
I don’t like throwing things away that I can still get use out of, especially scraps of clay. If there are ever any scraps left over from trimming etc, I usually wedge all of this clay together, roll it out again as a new sheet, and cut small shapes out of it. These shapes soon build up and then go on to form my magnets, brooches and buttons.
The contents of this basket above are always changing. I always display it on the front of my table at craft fairs with a sign saying “Feel free to rummage” – and people do just that! My magnets are good sellers, often customers will buy a few with a larger item, as if they are taking extra little bits of decoration away with them. They are also good sellers for children, as are my brooches…
This selection of handmade ceramic brooches below are part of my ‘Stroll Along the Beach’ collection.
To cater more for gift ideas, I decided to wrap a selection of 3 different magnets together with a personalised card, and my sticker on the front. This set of Natural Brown Magnets is my favourite.
I was excited to have made my first sale on Etsy at the weekend. These heart buttons are now on their way to their new home in the USA as we speak.
My Magnets in new Sample Box
I’ve been busy preparing these sets of magnets to go into a new sample box concept, run by Belinda of Shop Handmade UK.
Each pack comes with 3 different magnets, wrapped up in cellophane with my card and sealed with my stickers. This should be a great promotional concept and will hopefully get my products noticed more. I believe the first batch of boxes will be for sale online via Folksy within the next couple of weeks – Keep a look out! Not only will the purchaser of a box receive some lovely gifts for themselves, but also some little potential Christmas gifts for family and friends. All items will be visible inside the boxes so the purchaser will know exactly what they will be getting.
I’m really excited about seeing my magnets alongside other designers work in these boxes. Let me know if you buy a box and receive my products!
To read more about the new 2009 Sample Box Launch with Shop Handmade UK, click here.
Firing Results
For those of you who were interested to see my firing results from the images of my ceramic pieces about to be fired in my previous post, here are the outcomes!
These magnets are new to my range. I wanted to create some tactile and decorative items that are smaller and cheaper, to add to the range in prices on my stall at craft fairs and shows.
The magnets with words or writing on were really popular at my fair this weekend, I sold all of them! Will have to start making lots more, now I know which type sells more.
I couldn’t resist making lots of magnets in my usual style… “Organic and Rustic”, as some people refer to it as…
My coasters were all sold in sets of 4 with different coloured ribbon tied around them. Each coaster has a coloured sheet of foam neatly stuck onto the underside to prevent scratching on the table and to stop them sliding around.
Melting glass into my bowls, or rolling flecks of glass into the surface of the clay before constructing forms is like a trade mark to my work in terms of decoration, and people say it is what makes it so different.
Opening the kiln is such an exciting moment as you never really know what the outcome will be. Even the most experienced potters still have lots of happy accidents. I enjoyed peeking in through the gap in the door when the firing for all of these flat pieces were finished, the burst of colour made a change to my usual decoration.
