Earth and Fire Ceramics Fair

I had an incredible weekend visiting the Earth and Fire International Ceramics Fair at Rufford!  I have been once before and loved it and I would encourage anyone who is interested in pottery or ceramic sculpture... or any form of art... or just fancies looking... to go!  It is a wonderful exhibition of international potters and sculptures in the beautiful surroundings at Rufford.  There are demonstrations pretty much all day from various potters and it is great to get to know them a little, because that is when their work starts to mean a bit more to you.  It is also fabulous to learn about different techniques.  There are also a few stalls there selling materials and tools, so it is a great way to buy things without having to pay for expensive postage (me and my mum picked up about 5 bags of clay last time we went there and saved me loads on postage!).  You can phone th companies in advance to make an order then they bring it to the show for you... or you can just have a look at the wide range of tools, materials and equipment that they have there already.

Below is a photo of me assisting Stefan Bang in the handle-pulling competition!  This happens daily and different potters take part.  They have 10 minutes and all get the same amount of clay to pull the longest handle that they can!  The one I assisted Stefan to make was just over 3 metres long and he won because his was the only one that hadn't broken... the others made ones that were 6 feet or so but they had broken along the way :)  The next day when I saw the competition again there was one that was about 17 metres long!  I felt very proud to be assisting Stefan, even if it was in a silly competition.  He is a very talented and successful potter and I have some admiration for him...  wouldn't it be awesome if one day Stefan would say

" that amazing and talented Carrie-Anne assisted me during the handle-pulling competition in 2012 "!!!  haha! 

One day...In my dreams  :)

it was great fun... but a little messy!

After the handle-pulling me and Bobby looked round that last of the exhibitors' stalls and that is when we came cross the sculptural work of Ostinelli & Priest... WOW!  I was hooked instantly and we were both stood in amazement at the beautiful sculptures!  Have a look at their website on the link.  And if you know my work at all then you must watch out for their warthog!  :)

We listened to the explaination of how these fantastic pieces were created and got very excited when we heard that there would be a demonstration of how to do it the following day!  So... the net day we came back to Rufford and got there early to ensure front row seats!  haha!  This photo below is a picture of the bull 'Winston' who we were being shown how to build.

'Mooooooo!'

Me and Winston



I'm not going to go into massive etails about the technique, but
basically he first made a template and attached it securely to a stick...



... and after wrapping it and shaping it with bubble wrap and used wooden dowel for the legs... he starting covering it with thin layers of clay...

... making creases and textures as he went along ...

... the horns were fired seperately...

... the eyes were detailed with a bendy straw!  ...

... the almost finished bull!

Once the bull is finished he leaves it to dry thoroughly and then takes it off the wodden base and puts the whole thing in the kiln.  The plastic and wood will burn away and leave behind the ceramics!  whoop whoop!  ...AMAZING!