#MarchMeetTheMaker

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Day 26 : Self care

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#marchmeetthemaker SELF CARE This is something I am really bad at! A typical workshop day starts at 6.30am and finishes when i’m done! This could be 7pm or even later. I stop for lunch and take albert for his daily walk between 12 & 2. During lunch I usually check my emails and do whatever admin I can – multitasking! There is always something to do. I think being a self employed creative is a way of life, however at the beginning when you’re working so hard to establish your business it can sometimes feel like you are just living to work. I love what I do but I’ve realised it’s so important to take some time off. This year I set myself a goal to have 1 day off each week. It started off so well but I have already slipped up. I need to be as disciplined about taking time off as I am about my workshop scedule. I have been to a few gigs this year already, have booked a few more and even a holiday to Spain! Hooray! I cannot wait to feel the sunshine on my face and jump in the sea. A good work/life balance is in sight, I just need to work at it! 😊 #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicdesign #design #maker #handmade #homemade #madeinscotland #makersgonnamake #decor #livingroom #tea #teacosy #knitting #knitter #handknitsocks #yarn #afternoontea #orangesofa #colour #selfcare #smallbusiness #selfemployed #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

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Day 27 : Anything goes

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#marchmeetthemaker ANYTHING GOES You may or may not have noticed that I quite like knitting?! I have a good few friends in Scotland but when I moved to Blairgowrie I didn’t know one person here. I joined the orchestra in Perth to make friends, and I looked for a knitting group to join too, but there were none at a time that suited me so I set up my own! Knitty Gritty has been running for 2.5 years now and I love it. We share a love of all things creative. Each week we take it in turns to bake a treat. There is a lot of hilarious/ridiculous chat and believe it or not we rarely talk about knitting! We hail from all over – England, Scotland, South Africa, France, Norway, Bulgaria and N.Ireland. We all encourage each other with our projects and big thanks to Cheryl who helped teach me how to knit socks. They are 100% my favourite thing to knit now! I am so happy to say that opening my house to a group of strangers has now become a group of friends. #teawithjud #potter #knitter #knitting #knittygritty #knittingnight #socks #yarn #handmade #handknit #handknitinscotland #loveknitting #knit #wool #yarn #selfemployed #smallbusiness #makingfriends #knittingiscool #creative #makersgonnamake #friends #friendsthatknit #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

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Day 28 : Packaged

Day 29 : Most difficult make

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#marchmeetthemaker MOST DIFFICULT MAKE I have thrown so many cylindrical shaped pots that they are most natural to me, so anything with a curve I find really difficult. I couldn’t throw decent bowls for ages, but with practice I have definitely improved. I think my most difficult make now is a teapot. It is round and it has so many components that can go wrong. The shape of the body, the spout attached at the right angle, the right amount to glaze application so that it doesnt block the spout and the LID!!! The lid has a different shrinkage rate to the main teapot and more often than not I end up with lids that don’t fit. It drives me mad and I can honestly say that even though I really enjoy using my ceramic teapot, they are definitely the hardest and my least favoutite thing to make. #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicdesign #design #wheelthrown #stoneware #teapot #teacosy #picnic #brew #cup #tableware #handmade #handmadeinscotland #hardtomake #smallbusiness #independent #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

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Day 30 : Support

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#marchmeetthemaker SUPPORT Wow. So many people support me everyday but I think the best place to start is with my MUM and DAD. They have supported me each step of the way, every crazy decision and without them Tea with Jud would not be possible. They are amazing, loving, generous people. All my FRIENDS and the rest of my FAMILY are 100% supportive too. They help me with so many things from practical jobs to research, emotional support, buying my pottery and generally spreading the word about Tea with Jud. Most of my closest friends live far away from me and I always miss them but I am so lucky to have them all. OWEN – everyone needs an Owen. OTHER MAKERS – when you need to talk to someone who understands clay, support and encouragement is always freely given from other potters. My STOCKISTS are continually supportive of my work and incredibly patient when waiting for their orders to arrive. Last but not least, my CUSTOMERS. Every single customer who has ever bought any of my work, I am so grateful. When you think about it, all independent businesses are pretty amazing. People admire what we do and want us to succeed. I feel very blessed to have such a huge support network around me 😊 Photo 1 – mum & dad circa late 1960s Photo 2 – sandwood bay with @cbirno – a very fun trip Photo 3 – my workshop BEFORE Photo 4 – Owen, Dad, Charlie & Mike – hardworking helpers Photo 5 – Charlie is so clever – hanging 3 random doors found in the charity shop Photo 6 – workshop AFTER Photo 7 – shop BEFORE PS – * I think I overused the word support/supportive in this post!!* #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicdesign #knitter #maker #creative #selfemployed #independentbusiness #smallbusiness #independent #meetthemaker #support #love #thankful #ilovemyfriends #ilovemyfamily #parentsarecool #workshoplife #diy #upcycle #improvise #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

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Day 31 : Product in use

Fin.

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