
In a former life I was a very bored graphic designer! In my spare time and to feed my creative self, I’d go to local galleries and craft centres to look at all the beautiful things other people had made. There were 2 places I’d visit the most… The Boilerhouse Gallery and Walford Mill Craft Centre.
I wished that I was some kind of artist or maker able to make lovely things and sell them instead of spending most of my time moving type and pictures around on a computer screen! So, as I had a friend who was a potter and seemed pretty content, I decided to give pottery a go and began a short course in Ceramics. I was totally addicted! I made every mistake possible but learnt a lot from my mistakes. Soon I was selling my ware at local craft events and in a couple of gift shops.
7 years later, The Boilerhouse Gallery asked if I’d like to join the co-operative. I was so excited (but tried to sound very cool which is something I’m totally rubbish at!). Now, every time I go to the gallery, I remind myself that this is what I dreamt of and to be thankful (even when it’s minus temperatures because we have no heating!).
Today, 10 years later, I’ve been asked to put some of my sculptures in Walford Mill Craft Centre. I feel that this is a massive compliment to my work, as they are extremely selective about who’s work they sell. I know it’s small scale compared to exhibiting somewhere like the Contemporary Ceramics Centre in London, BUT it is a BIG step in the right direction!
It’s taken a long time, but not bad considering I’ve had 2 children along the way! My thought now is ‘where to next’!?