The Makers... |
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Aromatherapy , Bath & Skincare | Basketry | Clay | Food & drink | Glass | Jewellery | Leather | Paint | Paper | Print | Photography | Stone | Textiles | Wax | Wood | Words | & More... Jane Vernon I make wheel-thrown stoneware pottery, all of which is designed as everyday tableware. I work in two stoneware clays - one dark, one white. All the pots are raw-glazed (that is, they are glazed when bone dry rather than after an initial firing) and fired to a high temperature in a reduction atmosphere using propane gas. Lustre-ware has a further firing. The glazes I use are very fluid in nature and react strongly to variations in temperature in the kiln. This results in a rich diversity of hues, often within one pot as well as between different pots, which makes every pot unique. If you would particularly like a ‘matching set’, please ask, as I can sometimes arrange this by putting like pieces aside as they come out of each kiln firing. My “blue slip” design is available in a wide range of shapes, including mugs, bowls, plates, fruit bowls, serving dishes, teapots and jugs. All the pots are decorated with swathes of blue slip, reminiscent of sea and sky, and some have added lustre decoration in the form of gold birds or platinum fish.
Blue slip design
Blue lustre (platinum), cream lustre (gold) and brown lustre (copper) designs are decorated in another style: on a plain colour base, mugs have spots, starts, hearts or fish, cereal bowls have stars and fruit bowls, teapots and jugs have patterns incorporating all four shapes. The lustre decoration is added as an extra process to a pot. The metal is suspended in a liquid base which allows it to be painted onto a glazed pot. The pot is then fired again and the base burns away leaving the pure metal fused to the glaze. "Beastly" pots Lustre is also used to decorate my "beastly" pots. These are oven dishes with handles sculpted in the shape of fish or lizards. Beastly pots are not always stocked in the shop but can be ordered at the counter. These dishes are designed to be fully functional and can be used in the oven, dishwasher and freezer. Like the other lustre ware they should not be placed in the microwave because of the metal surface decoration.
I am usually happy to extend the range of pots available in any design if you would like to place an order.
Cards
I make silk painted greetings cards in bright colours. The designs often follow similar themes as those for my wallhangings but I see the cards as a chance to be more ‘wacky’ with the colour and design of birds, fish, etc, for instance by giving the birds colourful hairstyles. At Christmas I produce a limited range of designs - mainly snowmen, holly, mistletoe, and robins. Larger silk-painted cards all have birds holding ‘age’ balloons. I generally make these for ‘significant’ adult ages but cards can be made for any age to order. I also make cards using photographs of my wallhangings. There is a large range of these in the shop at all times.
Textiles My wallhangings are occasionally on show in Made In Gloucestershire. At other times, please ask at the sales desk if you are interested in buying one. Colour is the primary inspiration for my work; I also gain inspiration from Indian textiles, Chinese carpet designs, European embroidery, tiles etc. I tend to come back to the same themes based in the natural world; these include fish (a favourite in all of my work), birds, lizards, elephants and flowers. I make wallhangings in a wide range of sizes. Most of the hangings apart from the mini hangings are silk painted as well as stitched. First some of the design is outlined with gutta. This gives some clear boundaries to areas of paint. The areas are then painted in using a variety of techniques.
Parts of the design are applied by machine using other fabrics, either to the painted background or in some cases to a plain fabric. Occasionally some machine embroidery is added at this stage. The rest of the design is worked by hand. The hangings are backed with a strong cotton fabric and hangers attached. Finally, ceramic pieces, beads or tassels are added to hang from the bottom of the piece. All the wallhangings are treated with a protective stain repellant which keeps any dirt from penetrating the fabric. Dust may collect on the hangings but is easily removed with a soft brush. I am always happy to work to commission and can incorporate names, dates etc if you would like a commemorative piece. My textiles look at home in traditional and modern settings
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