Author Archives: Tim Bartell

We had another firing, which was relatively straight forward, the kiln got stuck at around 1150 c with a bit of swearing it shifted up to cone 9. I still have the problem of a cooler spot at the back right despite making a lower temp glaze. I had some pots from Melissa Graham fellowContinue reading “FINGS WOT HAVE HAPPENED RECENTLY, SOMETIMES CALLED NEWS .”

Summer wouldn’t be summer without an art trail to show off my pottery. This year’s trail starts on the 18th and 19th of July for the first weekend and then 25th and 26th July for the second weekend. There are 35 artists at 24 venues on the coastal strip from Pagham to Elmer . ItContinue reading “BOGNOR COASTAL ART TRAIL 2026”

I have been busy ( not a lot ) and have been neglecting the blog. We have done a massive show at Ardingly, ‘The south of England show . After a sweltering week in May where we were worried about hydration and seeking shade it went cooler and were under dressed, and got soaking wet.Continue reading “SHOWS”

April 2026 My wood kiln has been telling me it is full up ready to fire for over two weeks. It’s finding the right weather and extended daylight, the darkness makes the flames and sparks look more menacing. Finally came the weather and luckily my neighbour was out for the day. Firing it this timeContinue reading “Spring firing”

We gather here today in a moment that is both enquiring and experimental. After sieving Hazel ash from the Bakehouse at the Weald and Downland museum and ash from our wood burning stove, Ash logs from trees dead, sadly from Ash die back. I made them into glazes, same constituents but different ash. This isContinue reading “ASHES TO ASHES, GLAZE TO GLAZE”

I have been given an amount of Birch wood, recently harvested. With undercover space limited I have devised a test. One in ,one out .I have been told that the outside one will rot from within . As usual will get back to you on this one . Levels are off the scale.

Ever wondered what you can do with your cat litter ? well, here at Whitecroft we have made a solution. Spotted whilst stuck in the checkout in the German supermarket beginning with the letter L , a bag of cat litter, 8kg for £2.99, bargain. I took it home and made a slip out ofContinue reading “HERE KITTY”

When you first start pottery everyone says ‘ did you make an eggcup’, in my case I have ever only made four. The small round extrusion I thought I might remedy that and make a few more in two ways, extruded and thrown, I am mixing cheap Raku clay ( closing down ) with myContinue reading “EGG CUPS”

I’ve had an extruder for a while now, but haven’t used to it’s fullest potential. Late last year I made a special effort and now using it to make bottles. For Christmas I bought myself two new dies, nothing to do with Dignitas, not yet. My new dies were laser cut by the lovely TinaContinue reading “PARDON THE EXTRUSION”

of 2025 Usual service is resumed after some health issues, I wasn’t allowed to do anything strenuous lifting or anything that strained my stomach, this also included washing up, hoovering, making tea or housework. I was told all these things by the surgeon, who failed to mention getting beaten about the head. The workshop isContinue reading “The Last Post”