April is here (almost), and with it comes that little shift that gets us outside again, into the light, into the fresh air, and a bit closer to everything around us. Nature is waking up, and so is our creativity! 🌸✨ This month, we are taking our inspiration straight from nature. And yes, that includes pretty much everything you can think of. Flowers, plants, and organic shapes 🌼 Animals and all kinds of creatures 🐾 Landscapes, textures, and the little details you suddenly start noticing 🌊 Your task is to create something that reflects what you see or feel when you step outside. Or even what you think you see when you stare at a cloud for a little too long 👀 It can be anything you like. A sculpture. A functional piece. Something painted, carved, printed, or fully experimental. 🎨 There are no limits here, only your interpretation. 🌱 One important rule Your piece should be created in April. Not something you pull out of your shelf thinking, “well, this kind of fits.” Nice try! 😄 Just like spring creates something new, this is your moment to do the same. You can also challenge yourself a little. Try something you have not done before. Go for that idea that once felt a bit too tricky. See what happens if you just give it a go. And of course, you are very welcome to share your ideas, your process, your progress, or even those moments where things are not quite working yet. That is all part of it, and honestly where the good stuff happens. Let’s inspire each other, learn from each other, and maybe surprise ourselves along the way! 💛 By the end of the month, we will hopefully have a whole collection of pieces that show just how much creativity this season can spark. Now go out, look around, and then get your hands dirty! 🌿✨

My last three firings have run too hot and destroyed some pieces. I've tried a few different options of firing and the latest ran even hotter! This is what I've just used but it ran to about cone 8 (7 cone sitter melted completely!) 90 p/h to 300 130 p/h to 1100 60 p/h to 1210 with 15 min hold slow ramp down at 50p/h to 1065 with 10 min hold

I'm getting to the point where I think some of my stuff maybe the right quality to sell. However I'm looking for ideas on how to display things. I've bought a couple of shelves from temu but they don't really work as I thought they would. So looking for ideas from the collective hive mind. If you have links and recommendations, even better. It doesn't help that I only have a 4ft (120cm) table at home. How do you display your pieces? Especially bigger pieces?

https://youtu.be/z3gVS8e7dsQ?si=ukrrEwMe4ncqHT7N

Anyone who follows my social media will know that I make worry hearts to help raise funds for a UK mental health charity. Pottery has supported my own mental health in ways I can hardly put into words, so I wanted to give something back, even in a small way. What began as a simple idea using leftover pieces of clay has grown into something far more meaningful than I ever imagined. This little project has now reached £650, and I am honestly blown away. To think I only started this in February, and have not even attended a market yet, makes it all feel even more special. I feel incredibly grateful and humbled by the kindness and support behind it all.