Hello!

I’m very excited to have another new stockist!

My work is now for sale in Blackbird Studios in Edinburgh, and it’s even in the window display already!

Have a good Monday! Jud.

 

After a busy April, its no surprise that a few things slipped my mind so here is some information you might like to know.

I’ve been working on some special requests for shops recently. Cycling enthusiasts – I made some limited edition bike mugs and coasters for Honest Thistle in Pitlochry.

I dropped them off on Monday along with some more polka dot pots so it is now fully stocked again. If you are heading to Etape Caledonia this weekend, you should pop in and have a look!

 

While I was in Pitlochry, I also dropped off some more bowls at the John Muir Trust.

I made some new designs with trees, rolling hills and my mountain range design is now on a butter dish! I love it! There are more designs to come so keep an eye out.

A little while ago I was contacted by Manchester Bee Company who requested some bee themed mugs. It was a delight to work on these. They will be available to buy from Man Bee Co very soon (once they come out of the kiln that is!)

All my specially designed pots are exclusive to these outlets only. My classic ranges are available to purchase direct from my online shop, at my workshop and at markets.

Speaking of which, I will be at Morningside Makers Market in Edinburgh this Saturday from 11am – 4pm. Albert is coming too! Hopefully we’ll see you there.

That’s you fully updated now.

Cheerio,

jud

 

Being self employed is like being on a roller- coaster, and I don’t even like roller-coasters. They make me sick.

I love what I do, but with every job there are advantages as well as disadvantages. I find it so hard to make my brain stop thinking about Tea with Jud after I’ve left the workshop. There always seems to be so much else to do behind the scenes, and it’s all just as important as the pottery production.

A huge contributing factor to my lack of motivation at the minute is because I recently spent approximately 2 months getting an order ready for one of my stockists. It was a big order. I spent hours and hours packing it up. Upon delivery there was £646.50 worth of damage. One box even burst open implying that it had been dropped.

61 pieces that I wedged, threw, fettled, stamped, fired, sanded, glazed and fired again all in smithereens and now in pottery heaven. I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo annoyed and angry and sad. I cried. I felt frustrated and total rage at how incompetent a delivery service can be. I was annoyed at all the time I wasted. As a small business it is such a huge loss and will take me months to recover from.

If you have any fragile goods that need posting I do NOT recommend UPS – Utterly Poor Service. I really think there is a market for a “Fragile Courier Service”. So many artists and makers need a reliable service for their hand crafted goods. It can’t be that hard to transport, lift and set down 10 boxes labelled “fragile”, gently.

So, last week I took a much needed break from production. My dad was over for a visit and also to help me with some workshop maintenance. It was so great, we got a lot done (early prep for Perthshire Open Studios!), including things we didn’t plan to do, like building a (small) stone wall and a new window box! We tiled the step into my workshop to make it look a bit more fancy. We insulated the ceiling, so now I will only have to wear one set of thermals, and also added more shelves for extra storage. Papa Pollock did a great job.

The weekend before that, at the Makers Market I taught my first hand building workshop! I was pretty nervous and I think I talked really fast, but upon reflection I think it went ok! All my students were so good and their work is looking great whilst is dries in the workshop. I can’t wait to see the results after glazing.

In other news, I have been working on some exciting projects, soon to be announced. As well as creating some new designs for the John Muir Trust, and pots for a new stockist in Edinburgh, I have restocked at Sunshine no:1 in Glasgow. It’s all go!

It is hard to balance everything when you work for yourself. I am Tea with Jud, The CEO, The Manager, The Owner, The Maker, The Tea Maker, The Everything….and I am so hard on myself and feel bad if I waste any time. It is definitely something I need to work on, balancing pottery production, admin and time off. My batteries are draining a bit and a little more rest to recharge them could help a lot. That would benefit you too, more rest = less moany blogs!

However, to finish on a more positive note another tax year is complete and after many calculations adding up the same set of numbers four times and getting four different answers, I think my business can survive. With some more determination I CAN actually succeed doing this!

Consider yourself officially updated about all things Tea with Jud.

PS: my Pasta Bowls are now available on my online shop!

 

Question: Do you like dogs?
Question: Do you like pottery?
Question: Would you like a break?

If you answered yes to all 3 of the questions above, maybe you could help me out?

Since getting a dog I need to be much more organized! This is me being organized… I have a few markets and a wedding coming up, and for various reasons I can’t take Albert with me.

The markets are in different places over 2 weekends, so I think it would be easier if you could come to me please. I am offering free accommodation at my cottage, on the farm. You will be able to use my pottery for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also get to hang out with the cutest dog ever (I’m biased!). My house is in a great location. It’s right beside the River Ericht in Rattray, Perthshire.

You can even have a camp fire down there at night time (Albert likes that too).There is so much to explore here and plenty of great walks to do before you even leave the farm!

The dates I need help are:

Friday 1st April (eve) – Sunday 3rd (early eve)
Saturday 30th April (morn) – Sunday 1st May (eve)
Wed 11th May (morn) – Sun 15th May (eve)

If you think you can help me out/would like a dog sitting break or know of anyone who could, please send me a message as I’m sure you will have some questions that I haven’t thought about! Another thing you might like to know is I don’t have a TV… that could be a deciding factor!

ps! Nearly forgot… I also need someone from the Edinburgh area to look after my stall at Morningside Makers Market on 2nd Arpril 11.30am – 2pm, while I take my Espresso Mug Workshop! If you would like to do this, and don’t mind being paid in pots then please get in touch.

I can’t decide whether all of this makes me sound organized, desperate or demanding! ha!

Hope to hear from you soon!
jud

Hello! I’m delighted to announce my first ever workshop!

Come along to the Makers Market in Edinburgh to design and make your very own espresso mugs, matching coasters and a sugar bowl. This is a hand building workshop. The form of the espresso mug will be hand thrown and provided for you.

Once your pots are complete I will take them away to be dried, fired and glazed. I will return them to you at the next Makers Market on 7th May.

Cick here to book your place now!

 

Good Morning!

You have probably already guessed the content of this blog post from the title! But yes it is true, I have a new stockist. Yay!

When I was at the Christmas Fair in Pitlochry last November I was approached by a lady from the John Muir Trust. She enquired about making some bowls exclusive for the shop that would fit in with their theme.

The John Muir Trust is a charity, founded in 1983. They believe wild places are essential for the well being of people and wildlife.

I agree with that! Nature is soooo cool. The older I get I appreciate it more and more.

Inspired from my time living in France, I thought my mountain and tree designs would be perfect for this.

I was also asked to make a range of green bowls. The greens represent the colours in our landscape. Scotland is a beautiful place.

Pitlochry is not far from my house, so if you are passing, be sure to let me know. I’ll get the kettle on.

*Please note, these are not available at any other stockists.

Hello!

I’d like to introduce my new business partner! He is very cute and lovely. He is called Albert. I’m not sure how good he will be at helping with pottery production, but he is excellent for cuddles at break time and has inspired me to make some dog bowls!

I might have to add these into my pottery range, and maybe even a hand knit dog coat too! 100% cuteness.

 

I popped home to Northern Ireland briefly last week. I coincided my trip with a visit to Seasons in Carrickfergus to deliver some more stock.

I love this place. The atmosphere is great. The shop display is fabulous and there are so many wonderful finds. I was delighted to see my pots displayed beautifully in the flower shop. It looked great. Thanks Eileen!

If you’ve not been to Season’s, I thoroughly recommend it. The coffee, savoury and sweet treats are amazing. I have some advice though, do not take your dad with you. He might embarrass you…. a lot. But maybe your dad is not like Big Winston, so in that case you might be alright!

 

 

 

 

Hello. If you were given a Tea with Jud gift for valentines I hope you liked it? Here is a story about how a special commission turned into a whole dinner set, including egg cups!

Back in September 2014 I was approached by a customer who asked me to make a pottery set combining polka dots and hearts for her sister’s wedding present.

Pasta bowls were requested amongst an order of personalized crockery. I had not made any pasta bowls before. I always find new shapes challenging. I made 2 and thought that would be the end of it.

After the wedding in August 2015, I was contacted by the bride, whilst on her honeymoon! Thankfully she loved her sister’s gift so much so, she ordered another 4 pieces of each item to increase her dinner set up to a 6 piece! That was great news but I also thought “oh no I have to make the pasta bowls again!” and I had not recorded the dimensions. Uh oh… schoolboy error.

The bride sent me the measurements and then I was able to get to work. I am so pleased with how they turned out I’ve decided to add them to my pottery range. They will be available on my online shop soon. Hooray!

I was then contacted again and asked to make some special egg cups for the married couples first Christmas together, to match the pattern of the dinner set. Another challenge, and with eggcellent results I think!

I really like special commissions. They push my creativity and also make me think about designing practical shapes that work in the kitchen.

If you would like to order any personalized pots for any occasion, or even add to your existing set, please get in touch. I welcome all commissions, even the challenging ones!

jud