country.

Bittersweet is certainly a pervading feeling in these days of flux between Australia and the Isle of Man. I smiled but almost cried when I saw this feature of my work in Australian Country Magazine this week. Once again, the Silverdale Dreams designs have attracted media attention, which warms my heart as these patterns came from a sad time in my creativity, inspired by my homeland, but how I'm here, not by choice and so far from Australia. 

Thanks to Kim Wallace for the opportunity.

(have you SEEN her new website?! Beaut!)

sing.

I know a clever young lady on the Isle of Man called Ruth Keggin. She is a super talented musician, who is dedicated and passionate about bringing Manx music and language to a wider audience. I spent an afternoon with her today over tea and cake, speaking for the first time in two and a half years. We're both committed to our respective creative practices, working in different areas but with shared experiences and it was wonderful to listen to her progress as a young musician and singer. Ruth will be recording her debut album in August and I am so very very excited for her.
Listen:

shelter.

Two weeks ago, when I landed back here on the island, the first place I visited was Craftworks Studio. I worked there from 14 - 18 years old, spending countless happy weekends and school holidays working as a studio assistant, cleaning up, writing bills, working the till, showing our customers how to paint ceramics and helping the children to finish their pieces.

The family that own the studio welcomed me as an extra daughter, teaching, supporting and inspiring me. I can certainly attribute my creative path to them.
The owners (and 'parents') Martin and June, knew I would visit that Thursday morning. I didn't tell them so, I didn't plan it, but they knew I would come. They welcomed me and have encouraged me to use the studio as my creative outlet until I re-establish a workspace on the island.
In these 2 weeks of re-adjustment, grief and disorientation, Craftworks has been my lighthouse. Many aspects of life here have changed in my absence, but this studio has not. I have gravitated down to Silverdale so often over the last fortnight, chatting with Martin, June and the current assistants, Emma and Henny; they are my creative family, we have been reunited.
It occurred to me last week that it is a place of comfort for me, and in that same thought, working with ceramics is a comforting practice to me. I feel calm and happy when I make. I become anxious when I'm unable to throw or paint. Somehow in those years of teenage angst, working with clay and glaze and kilns became my emotional comforter and without realising, it has spilled over into my life as a young adult. It abates my sadness.

[photos from the Craftworks Facebook Page]

Thursday :: Mud Colony.

rolling clay

Hilarious! Thanks again to Musing About Mud.

SPOONS!

I finished throwing for Ebb Tide in the third week of January. 3 weeks late, I learnt that I had to pack up and leave Australia. 2 months on, I have been ITCHING to MAKE something. Thankfully, my old training ground, Craftworks Studio, have flung open their doors and found some CLAY for me to mess around with. Naturally, I made spoons (with holes so they can be pendants too!).

HEY it's Thursday (in Australia, still Wednesday evening here), let's go to Mud Colony shall we?! Big big thank you for the sweet farewell wishes from 2 weeks ago! x

mistakes.

Carole at Musing About Mud posted this video today. It reminded me why I love making pots and is another little push for me to set up my practice again SOON!
Thanks for the wisdom Chris.

home (?)

Here I am. I'm home. The home where I grew up and where my parents live, at least. It does feel like a home. I feel comforted by familiar sights from my childhood and I can view my surroundings with a greater appreciation as an adult. 

I lived in Australia for 5 and a half years. It grew to feel like my home too. I came back to the Isle of Man 3 times since I left in 2007, 2 holidays and 1 short work contract. Each time I returned, I knew it was temporary. I was thinking about leaving as soon as I arrived. By habit, my subconscious did the same thing when I landed last week. The realisation that this is not a visit, that this is real life, that I cannot return to Australia to carry on my life, stung.

I find solace in the special places of my childhood. I've posted about Silverdale Glen here before. I grew up in a house that overlooked a watermill, boating lake, children's playground and woodlands. As a child I would be lost here for hours, seeing fairies at every step.

[silverdale]

[silverdale]

[silverdale]

[our snow covered hills]

[signs of Spring]

[my new neighbours.]

[there has been much, much tea drinking]

[here's to new directions.]

ello guvna

A belated THANK YOU for coming down to Gov's for my Bye Bye Australia Sale last month! So many lovely people, it was marvellous to see you.

Extra squeeze to Sarah and Nadia for helping me all day!

wrap.

Ebb Tide, oh Ebb Tide. When we closed the exhibition, a third of my work had sold. 

Wow. 

Thank you.

[a few pieces packed and ready to deliver]