John and Pat
John Rivers was an English teacher for decades. Gradually he has taught himself to pot through trials and many errors until now he sells widely through his own shows, at The Edinburgh Festival every summer, and at high profile events such as 'COUNTRY LIVING' or the Scottish POTFEST.
He gets his own clay from an opencast site, where it has lain undisturbed for 300 million years under a coal-seam, to emerge into the light compressed and rocklike. A year later it softens so he can clean and refine it into a primary stoneware firing to cone 8/9.
He has used an electric kiln over the years but in 1998 built a natural gas kiln from reclaimed bricks, burners and bits, with a ceramic fibre door. It's no architectural beauty but it works: 12 cubic feet of working chamber for about £750.
"I struggled to find anyone to ask about atmospheres, flame-paths and firing cycles and so on," he says, "I'll be delighted to talk to any intending builders so others can in turn grapple with the processes. What I love about potting is the balance between heavy-duty labouring, theorising, craftsmanship, hands-on experiment, and creativity: doing the whole process from digging the raw mud to selling the finished pieces."
Of course no-one is wholly self-taught and everyone is partly self-taught. After many years of working alone, John went on a residential course with master-potter David Frith where a great many malpractices were ironed out and new insights gained, so he knows how exciting the learning process can be. And through David he met one of pottery's 'eminences gris' - the late Derek Emms - who was also been very generous with time and tips.
Pat Smith is enjoying her new found freedom in retirement and is now spending more time in her workroom creating new pieces.
"My love of sewing has grown and changed over the years. It started with dressmaking in the sixties, but has now evolved into more creative work." she says, "John likes his pots to be functional, I am the same with my work: I have therefore begun to design and make silk evening bags, which I have sold at craft venues around the country, cushions in a variety of materials and a miscellany of smaller items, ideal for gifts that are that little bit different. A new addition to the range is a silk embroidered mobile phone/ipod pouch. A marriage of art and technology.
Colour is very important to me and to enable me to combine this with my love of fabrics I am beginning to create in a purely artistic and decorative way. I am starting with small wall hangings and framed designs, but who knows, by the time you come to visit they may, like Topsy, have just grown!
Cooking is also a passion and the thought of having a group of like-minded people around our kitchen table discussing their potting exploits and sharing a wholesome meal is very appealing. I hope it appeals to you. Please do not worry if you have any special dietary needs, as like most cooks I have many cookbooks that sit on my shelves, but rarely get used. I will therefore be delighted to produce a meal that you can enjoy."
Both John and Pat would be very pleased if you came to visit them, and look forward to sharing their home with you.