How amazing is the weather at the minute? The days are getting longer and there are so many nice colours in the sky. It makes a huge difference from grey. Yesterday it was so bright and sunny, it felt really warm and for the first time since last October I didn’t feel the need to cover myself head to toe in thermals…just the bottom half.
Sunday Masse
I had a great weekend at the Makers Market in Edinburgh and Sunday Masse in Glasgow. It was great to meet new crafty people and customers too. Thank you so much to everyone who purchased some of my pots.
Heart Mugs
I also delivered some stock to the lovely Suzi at Sunshine no:1. She has a great shop in South Glasgow and it now has a selection of pottery including my polka dot and heart ranges. There are also lots of other splendid things inside. I am excited to go and see my pots on the shelves!
January has been busy! I’ve been living in thermals, working like a machine restocking the shelves at Tea with Jud HQ and doing lots of admin!
Round Teapot
Admin activities include:
Sourcing new stockists and markets. I am excited about all the opportunities that lie ahead this year. I’ve added a ‘Diary’ page on my website, to make it easier for you all to see my upcoming events and markets. You can take a look at it, here. In February and March I will be at 3 new markets in Edinburgh and Glasgow;Morningside Makers Market, Urban Market and Sunday Masse.
I submitted my first Tax Return! Rather boring but also interesting.
I cant believe its nearly February already! With Valentines Day in mind I have extended my Heart range of pottery into some Limited Edition colours. Woohooo! So, if you need to tell someone you love them you should place your order soon to make sure your gift arrives in time! I have set aside a small amount for my February markets but the rest are available here.
Tree with Jud
I know keeping you informed is an important part of my business, but sometimes I think I bore you with my mammoth blog-a-thons… plus, they take a long time to compose! However, if you do like them and are interested in following my journey, you should check out my Instagram. I post pictures more regularly and you get to see a more personal account of my day to day endeavours without the essays, just the odd amusing caption!
I think that’s all I have to tell you right now, oh… just to remind you my pots are microwave and dishwasher safe, but this does not mean they are indestructible. They are still handmade and fragile, so please handle them with care. merci beaucoup!
After a good rest at Christmas and enough time off to feel the benefit of moisturising my hands, I have been reflecting on last year.
Wedding Set
I cant believe I have completed one full year of self employment. I feel like I have done so much since the daunting days of quitting my job and giving Tea with Jud my full attention! I didn’t quite achieve all my aims for 2015, but I’m not too disappointed as my plates were on TV, I launched my online shop, I now have 7 stockists, and I moved myself and my workshop to Scotland to name a few… I’m happy with all that.
Tea with Jud HQ
I love my new workshop on the farm. I’ve learnt to share my workshop with nature. My points on the “brave scale” have definitely increased! I think I should be at least a 9 out of 10. I can now handle a bird in the workshop but the biggest surprise yet was a bat hiding in my mop bucket. I had to make an emergency visit to the vet as I only discovered him after I’d poured in the bleach and water. oh man. traumatizing… but I drove really fast and thankfully the vet fixed him and he is on the mend!
Green Plate & Mug
Other than that, working for myself has been a good experience. I have very good family and friends who help and support me. I also have very good loyal customers too. I really appreciate all the compliments, likes, feedback & comments … they make me happy, and encourage me to keep going. The ones that don’t I will learn from. My favourite quote of the year “all my other mugs are now officially boring”. Hopefully i will find some new customers in 2016 who feel the same.
Who knows what 2016 will bring. I have set myself some new goals for the year, but whether I achieve them of not I’ll make sure I remain hard working and keep striving for my coffee shop. One day…one day!
Until then,
Cheerio.
ps: if you want to see more of my year in pictures have a look at my album on my facebook page
Wonderful news for Tea with Jud… I have a new stockist! Yay! On a rare afternoon off, I went on an adventure to Pitlochry with my friend and discovered the loveliest gift shop called Honest Thistle.
Honest Thistle
I am so happy to tell you my work is now available to purchase here too.There is also a great selection of other handmade crafts and even a shop dog called Ruby! She is very cute!
Red Teapot & Cups
The Pitlochry Christmas Festival last week was amazing. I love the atmosphere in this town. Thanks to all my new customers for stopping by, It was lovely to meet you.
I’d also like to say a massive thank you to the lovely staff at Hawkshead who provided me with warming cups of coffee and even toe warmers to give my frosty toes an injection of life. That made standing outside in the freezing cold for 7 hours bearable!
Primary Colours
Only one more fair before Christmas, my last of 2015! And then a well deserved rest! Phew. But for now, it’s back to work…
On Monday I embarked on a 554 mile round trip to deliver some pottery to The Craft Shop in Manchester.
Of course I got lost on the way there! I will not bore you with the details of my stupidity but after a 7 hour drive in torrential rain on the motorway through puddles and darkness, I was welcomed with open arms, pizza and a comfy bed! Thank you Gail and Matt.
Step into the Theatre
Tuesday morning = delivery complete = mission accomplished! My arms still hurt today from carrying the heavy boxes! You know the elastic band feeling you get when your shopping bags are too heavy? Ouch….. Anyway… Manchester, there will be new stock on the shelves ready for you to purchase and fill up your Christmas stockings. How exciting.
Cheeseboard
I have also just added Wine Goblets to my online Shop – you can click here to check them out – The Craft Shop has a few in stock too.
I’ve not had much luck this year with a very well known postal service, incurring several breakages and even lost items. I thought living in Scotland would help solve this problem as I’d be on the same piece of land and could then deliver my pots myself, safely to all my stockists. However, it turns out I am an expert at getting lost. Even going to and coming home from markets. I get there eventually… but I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gone the wrong way, come off the motorway at the wrong exit, driven round roundabouts more than once and done 3 point turns at many holes in the hedge. Northern Irish motorways are much more straightforward.
Peter Potter Gallery Display
Trying to follow directions while driving and singing along to one direction at the same time is really hard. Dear help me on Monday when I set off for The Craft Shop in Manchester with their Christmas stock delivery! Does anyone want to come with me and be my navigator?
Peter Potter Gallery Display
Yesterday’s adventure was to Haddington, outside Edinburgh. There is now a fresh batch of stock available to buy at Peter Potter Gallery. It is such a lovely gallery, well worth the 3 hours drive.
Despite the length of time it took me, it was really nice to get out of my workshop as I’ve been so busy making all your lovely Christmas orders and stock for a new shop – soon to be announced! wooooo!
That’s you up to date with Tea with Jud for today.
Instead of bombarding you with information every time i’m attending a market in the run up to Christmas, i thought i’d be efficient and less annoying if I put them all in the one post, so get your pencils out and diaries open.
Dates: Sunday 15th November
Sunday 6th December
Sunday 20th December Time: 12 noon – 5pm Location:Hillhead Bookclub
Not only is this a brilliant market, the venue itself is amazing. The architecture inside is so ornate and beautiful as the building is an old cinema. The bar also offers great food and the last time I was there the music was sooooooooooo good which creates a marvellous atmosphere. It is well worth a visit.
Pitlochry
I’m delighted to be taking part in the Pitlochry Christmas Festival. It sounds like they have an amazing day planned. There will be arts and crafts for the kids (and adults too i hope?!), carol singers, a performance from the local pipe band, but the Christmas Tree lights will also be switched on. Ahhhh…..
Tea with Jud
Date: 28th November Time: 12 noon – 5.30pm Location:Pitlochry
please note this is an outdoor event so dress warm! I’ll be layering up in thermals, and will probably be bringing my hot water bottle too, and gloves and ear muffs….
Autumnal greetings to you all! What a beautiful time of year.
I know it’s still a bit early, but I just wanted to let you know if you haven’t done so already and are thinking of ordering any Tea with Jud goodies for Christmas presents this year, to guarantee they are ready in time, please make sure that you place your order by 11th November, 2015 as I only have 2 hands, and no helpers! Plus, its pretty cold in Blairgowrie and things are taking a long time to dry. Brrrrrrr….
This includes all online shop orders, personalized commissions and knitwear too. Here are a few pictures of projects i’ve been working on recently to inspire you.
