Poor visitors - no wonder everyone is in a bad mood - the weather has only slightly improved today - and I was going to go and see 'The Importance of Being Earnest' at the Plen here in St Just but couldn't face the soaking!
Sales still seem to be holding up against all odds in the gallery and the new stock is selling well.
I have been busy making in the pottery and concentrating on new work - such a luxury to have time to do that - helped by my beautiful daughter Kara who is now an official member of staff - and very good she is too!

Here is the latest Cow Family.

I have returned from Brighton much inspired.
I have seen lovely new work and was delighted to find out that one of my favourite artists personally and from the gallery's perspective has had a painting of a hare accepted for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition!  Not only is this a great honour and compliment - she sold it on the first evening!!

So just in case I bought three more by her as you can see above!  They are called 'Whistful Cat', 'Posh Pug' and 'Slightly Irritated Pug' and I love them all.
All the best to you Sally - you deserve it!

I also think caterpillars will be big this year - and birds and all things British seem to be everywhere in the shops still.  I did see one or two empty shops though - so nowhere is immune to the recession - not even beautiful Brighton!

This so called summer continues but we aren't having the deluges like 'up North'.
Kara's exams have finished now and it's prom tonight...I hope they all behave!
I am on taxi duty so will be exhausted....
I'm still busy with orders whilst looking forward to a short break on a buying trip to Brighton - I feel under pressure...
I went to Bovey Tracey Contemorary Craft Fair and found lovely work by Carys Davies and Jane Booth, both ceramicists with widely differing styles but both perfect for the gallery.  I also stocked up on Helaina Sharpley's marvellous wire mugs and cups.  It was muddy and humid but worth the effort.  The only criticism I would have of the show is that some exhibitors need to be changed around - too much of the same from the previous 4 years!
I am delighted with the way the gallery is looking. I've just had some fab copper jewellery delivered by Janet Midwinter a very clever jeweller from Sennen, and some great bronze resin ducks by Martin Norman - they are taking full advantage of the weather.
I am expecting some really lovely prints in from Pendeen artist Evie Groves tomorrow - she has a wonderful approach to the landscape with a crisp, clean and contemporary style developed from her time as an illustrator. 
All work will be shown on the website shortly.
I am longing to get some head space to develop my new ideas - ceramic and otherwise.  Might be September before all is revealed.

I'm delighted to say Harrogate BCTF was great - and orders were strong from existing customers and some lovely new ones.  I also had a lovely time visiting Betty's Tea Rooms - one of my favourite places in the world.  My good friends Mo and Peter came up to see me from Derbyshire - she is a jewellery maker and one of the best sellers in the gallery and he is (amongst other things) a homeopath which came in very handy since my gallstones decided to move about causing much pain and discomfort on the Sunday.  Didn't stop me going to Betty's though!

The best sellers this year were hares and sheep, and chickens.
I'm now back here and am working hard in the lovely cleaned out Pottery...thanks to Margaret who enjoys cleaning things.  She even unblocked the sink S bend.....it was full of clay.

What a lovely feeling to work in a space clear of junk, old glaze pots, spilled glaze materials and all sorts of other bits and pieces.





We are getting ready for Open Studios Cornwall which runs from 2nd June - 9 th June and the brochures are available from the gallery.  I use this to have a good old clear out of seconds and old stock and there are many bargains to be had....do come and have a look.
This year Leyla Folwell will be holding 'Throw your own Pot' sessions on the wheel for a small fee.  It's great fun to have a go.  Tea and cakes will be served in the Teagarden - weather permitting.
I am the sunshine early this year as we are currently in the middle of what seems to be an ongoing neverending monsoon at the moment.

I have been busy buying for the gallery too and have some fantastic new stock from Denise Brown, Bestie Assemblages, Emily Notman, Jane Johnson Ceramics, Torja Wilkinson Textiles, and some really fantastic ducks (which will be here shortly) by Martin Norman in bronze resin with a verdigris finish.  They will be waddling up the middle of the gallery as soon as possible.
Details and photos are on the website: www.janeadamsceramics.co.uk

It seems to be back to normal after a short summer interlude - which I took full advantage of by going to the beach and for walks around the Lizard and West Penwith.

Back to work now because The British Craft Trade Fair is happening next week.  I have been working on some new pieces and gathering my samples together.  A couple of the new pieces can been seen above.
Prices have been held steady this year as I know it will be a tough one - so I am trying to help as much as possible.  Again this year the minimum order will be low again to encourage new outlets and galleries to try my work.
The stand has had a revamp too - I have been painting up applecrates to provide a new way to dispaly the work.

I hope it will be eyecatching and interesting.

The visitors are here in force now thank goodness and sales seem to be starting again in the Gallery.  Everyone here in Cornwall is in a good mood today because it's the holidays and the sun is shining.

I am realy looking forward to seeing all my lovely gallery customers and all my friends amongst the artitsts.  I shall be in Harrogate from 14th April to 18th April with a stop over at Chesterfield on the way back to see family.  Big thanks to Margaret who will be in charge in Cornwall (of the gallery, cats and teenagers) whilst I'm away.

See you all soon xx

I'm very glad to be back from the Trade Shows - it's so exhausting but very rewarding and it's good to hear the positive feedback from buyers.  I received a good number of orders from existing customers and made some great new contacts - good to be getting work into Glastonbury, Lyme Regis, Tavistock, Cleveden, Sidmouth and Ross on Wye.  Lots of orders from Glasgow - lovely to see everyone again and thanks for the lovely comments.  I stayed at the Campanile Hotel near the SECC which was great as usual.
The roads were clear of snow and traffic too.

This is what my stand looked like . . .

and Baby was a great help with the boxes....
So the next job is to do a lovely Spring window for the gallery to usher in the new season and shake off the January gloom. . . and then to make and send off all those orders!

I've returned from Giving and Living Trade show at Westpoint. Exeter with a good number of orders from some lovely galleries and gift shops - including galleries in Glatonbury, Lyme Regis and Sidmouth so I think I'll need to deliver those in person ....
There was a real buzz the first day but sadly this didn't continue into all four days.
Home now for a day and night then on to Glasgow at the SECC for the Scottish International Trade Fair - miles and miles up the M6 and beyond into the snow and ice.

My Stand at Exeter

The most popular piece was this one above...Home to Roost.
I shared a stand with Mark Smith pictured here having had his second Pickled Partridge in the pub in Topsham where we stayed.

Thank you too to Kara and Margaret for taking care of the house and gallery - look at this expensive present I bought for you!
So thermals are packed and sandwiches and flask are ready - see you on Thursday.