Oh my days, I’m just back from the best “working holiday” ever! I was excited to go to Potfest, but also nervous as I’ve never sold my pottery at an event in England before. I was expecting no one to know who Tea with Jud was, but I was very surprised to meet so many people who have already purchased my work from various shops and galleries.

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Penrith is beautiful and apart from nearly dying of heat exhaustion (slight exaggeration!!) the whole event was amazing. Everyone was so lovely, enthusiastic about my work and complimentary about my display. I had great chats with people about pottery, wild swimming, knitting and even bumped into a guy I used to study with 20 years ago. It was really nice to reminisce!

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The cattle pens were so hot, that the highlight of my whole weekend was paddle boarding and swimming in the lakes. Definitely the best thing to do after a long, hot days work! Although quite exhausting at times, especially when I fell off and got back on my board the wrong way round – I was just going round in circles for ages!!! I laughed soooo hard, it was so funny! When my friend Tamsin finally stopped laughing she told me I was on the board back to front! Who knew! Thank you Tams for teaching me how to paddle board and for looking after me so well! I wish all events were like this!

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So now I am home with a few new projects in mind. The Empire Biscuits were a hit and I will definitely be making some to sell, so watch this space. Also, I will be experimenting with some new bowl sizes due to lots of people enquiring (my mum will be pleased)! Thank you so much to the Potfest team who make the event so enjoyable and to all my new, and existing customers who bought my pottery this weekend. I am very happy and I hope you are too. Hopefully I’ll make it back again next year!

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Cheerio

jud.

Hello!

I had such great intentions of getting a long list of boring but important jobs done this summer, but it appears my practical work in the workshop has consumed me once again. How is it already the 1st of August?! I have only half the list completed and this morning I am packing up my car to head to the Lake District for Potfest in the Pens! I know how knackering these events are but I really hope this will be like a working holiday! I have been swimming outdoors loads this summer and I love it so much, to be honest it is all I want to do! So I’m keeping my fingers crossed the weather is good and I can get a few swims in a lake, as well as selling some pots! I have never been to this particular event before and I am very excited! I have a few new additions for my display and I cannot wait to show you them! Keep an eye out on Instagram for pictures.

Here are some other things I have been meaning to tell you….

WEBSITE – One of my ongoing jobs this year was to revamp and relaunch the website, but I feel like there is no need to relaunch it now as you have been able to see the new look since February! I hope you like it . One feature that has just been added is the FAQ section, so hopefully this will answer any of your burning questions. If you think I have missed something out then ask away and I can always add your query to the list.

WEB STOCK – Some mugs and cups are sold out again on the website, sorry, but I will restock them as soon as I can.

After the success of my Hanging Planters I have decided to add them to my product range. They will be coming with me to Potfest, and then after that I just need to get them photographed and then onto the website. They will be available in all 7 colour ranges, but if you cannot wait and you wish to order one in advance, please just contact me here . Also, I hope to get a chance to start making my kitchen compost bins next month too!

Another thing that will definitely be changing is my Jugs. I have changed the design slightly to make them pour better, so I am planning to do all my product updates at the same time, hopefully by September, but these things take time you know!

STOCKISTS – Unfortunately I will not be stocking the lovely Craft Shop in the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester anymore. It has been a pleasure to sell my work there, in a city that I lived in and have very fond memories of. I’m sad I won’t have that connection with Manchester anymore but you can still buy work in these shops. My pottery is also temporarily available in ‘Found’ , a beautiful gallery in Dunbar, for their summer exhibition.

Nearly done…

POS – Perthshire Open Studios is just around the corner too. There is a new coloured route this year – LEMON – which Tea with Jud is on. I picked up my brochures yesterday and will tell you more details when I get back, however if you want to put the dates in your diary it will be on from 7th – 15th September.

I hope you are having a great summer and if you’re in Cumbria this weekend, maybe I will see you at Potfest? or hopefully somewhere else soon.

Cheerio for now!

On Sunday night I came home and lay on my bed. I fell asleep, and when I woke up on Monday morning I hadn’t moved an inch. I was in exactly the same position! Potfest was so brilliant but it made me very very tired!

I had the best weekend and just wanted to say a massive thank you so much to everyone who made it the best! To all of you who came and said hello, anyone who bought my pottery – both new & existing customers, to my lovely friends for visiting, bringing cakes and coffee, and to new potter friends. Thank you all so much for your lovely feedback and comments too. It’s so nice to know my work makes people smile. This past weekend reassures me that all the hours I spend in my workshop are totally worth it. I absolutely love the addition of my window frame behind my Belfast sink, and it sounded like you all did too. I have been thinking about how I can make my display even better for future events. I get so excited when I get new ideas!

It wasn’t just the potters who put on an excellent display at Scone Palace, the peacocks were magnificent this year!

So, I sold out of a lot of polka dot mugs, but thankfully I did come home with some stock! I have added a few pieces to the website, and the rest is going off to shops that have been waiting patiently. Once these have been wrapped and posted, and I’ve had a bit more sleep, it will be back to the workshop to make a gazillion mugs for my next event – Potfest in the Pens in Cumbria!

I really hope you are enjoying your new mug, jug, bowl, or whatever pot you bought. I am continually grateful that you chose to support my business and help me to make a living out of something that I love. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you. Jud.

I can’t believe it’s Potfest time again! Woohooo! I set up my stand yesterday, and despite the weather forecast of doom and gloom, the sun came out and it was lovely! Fingers crossed the weather forecast has got it wrong and the sun makes a few more appearances this weekend.

I am really good at keeping secrets, and have been sooooo excited keeping this one! I have a new prop! Its a fake window to complement my fake sink. I love it sooo much! Very big thank you’s to Robert, who made the frame, my mum, who made the curtain and Sharon for the ivy. I think it looks totally fab and I would be happy to wash my dishes here forever, if the sink was plumbed in!

This year I will be giving away free Tea with Jud Tote Bags to the first 5 customers each day. So, if you want one, make sure you are early!

Potfest is on all weekend at Scone Palace from 10am – 5pm. I really am so excited, there is a fantastic array of pottery, definitely something for everyone. I’m heading down early this morning to have a good look around before it starts. Hope to see you there, Jud

Hello there! I thought I would just check in and let you know whats going on in the world of Tea with Jud.

I think that’s it for now! Thanks again for all your continued support. I hope you had a lovely weekend.

Cheerio,
jud

Hello! Sorry I have been a bit quiet on here, the reason is I’ve been taking part in an Instagram challenge for the month of March. I just completed it yesterday and thought for those of you who didn’t know about it, you might like to read about it here. The Tag was created by @joannehawker and the purpose of the challenge was to share the process of being a maker and to learn more about me and my business.

It’s a bit of a long read so you might want to put the kettle on?! Also, it might be easier if you just view on my Instagram, which you can find here @teawithjud Happy reading!

The #MarchMeetTheMaker Instagram Challenge

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A post shared by joannehawker (@joannehawker) on Feb 18, 2019 at 12:02am PST

Day 1 : Favourite to make

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OK… so you have voted and you want me to take part in #marchmeetthemaker – FAVOURITE THING TO MAKE? – this changes all the time but currently it is Small Mugs. I’m not sure why? Perhaps because i only have to wedge 300g for each mug, which is easier than more g, and i just love the end result. They are such a nice size and shape to drink out of and so comfortable in your hand. #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicdesign #ceramicist #maker #handmade #handmadeinscotland #handmadeisbest #imadethis #clay #stoneware #kitchenware #tableware #homeware #mug #polkadots #dots #colour #meetthemaker2019 #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

A post shared by Jud Pollock (@teawithjud) on Mar 1, 2019 at 3:59pm PST

Day 2 : How you started

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#marchmeetthemaker HOW YOU STARTED I like to call it a blessing in disguise but Tea with Jud materialised after a skiing accident in 2013. I worked 3 winter seasons in The Alps in France and I absloutely loved it, but I put my skiing career into jeopardy when I tore my ACL and Meniscus in my left knee. I had been saving money to put towards my business for years but didnt have the confidence to start it. When I returned home whilst waiting for my knee operation I started writing my business plan and thought “it’s now or never”! I bought a second hand kiln and potters wheel from gumtree. My mum and dad very kindly bought me a garden shed to start my very first pottery workshop, and so it began… Going further back though, my first ever clay project was a slab built teapot, based on a daffodil. I made it in Ballymena Tech where I studied Art & Design about 20 years ago. I later did a foundation course which led me onto University where I studied 3D Design, specialising in ceramics. If you haven’t fallen asleep yet reading the above I will elaborate about uni on day 14. It is funny though how good things come out of really bad times. I’m so glad I took the opportunity to start my business when I did, otherwise I’d probably still be in the snow park practising my 360 and failing miserably! Photo 1 – La Plagne Photo 2 – My shed #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicist #ceramicdesign #smallbusiness #business #selfemployed #howistarted #independent #meetthemaker #maker #creative #handmade #laplagne #workshop #meetthemaker2019 #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

A post shared by Jud Pollock (@teawithjud) on Mar 2, 2019 at 6:27am PST

Day 3 : Flatlay

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#marchmeetthemaker FLATLAY gonna be honest here, i’ve never even heard of this word before so I had to google it! I like to set out my pieces so you can imagine using my pottery yourself. Simple. I like colour and pattern so try to get this in as much as possible. #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramicist #ceramics #ceramicdesign #tableware #kitchenware #dinnerset #weddingset #wheelthrown #handmade #handmadeinscotland #handmadeisbest #functional #flowers #mug #pkate #bowl #butterdish #polkadots #yellow #mint #selfemployed #meetthemaker #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

A post shared by Jud Pollock (@teawithjud) on Mar 3, 2019 at 12:23am PST

Day 4 : Tools & materials

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#marchmeetthemaker TOOLS & MATERIALS These tools are vital for my making. I have many tools for different processes. I would not be able to achieve the same precison and quality of work without them. I get very attached to certain tools. I have broken 3x potters knives recently. You wear them in and they are perfect for a while, but then they always wear away or break with constant use. I hate starting a new one because it’s not the same…similar to a new pair of converse. I use a white stoneware clay sourced from England and I mix up my own glazes (except for my red glaze). I would never usually post a picture like this as it strays away from my usual bright colourful theme. #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicdesign #design #workshop #tools #meetthemaker #maker #selfemployed #smallbusiness #handmadeisbest #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

A post shared by Jud Pollock (@teawithjud) on Mar 3, 2019 at 10:54pm PST

day 5 : Detail or close up

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#marchmeetthemaker DETAIL OR CLOSE UP I am very self critical and think I would prefer it if you didnt look too close! You may think these goblets are the same but I can assure you they are not! I strive for consistency in my work but as each piece is hand thrown, no 2 pieces will ever be the same. The more I make, the more I improve. I am not a robot and will never be able to make identical objects but I think that highlights the beauty of handmade. #teawithjud #potter #pottery #ceramics #ceramicdesign #handmade #wheelthrown #handmadeinscotland #unique #ukcraft #goblets #repitition #closeup #meetthemaker #red #blue #rattray #blairgowrie #perthshire #scotland

A post shared by Jud Pollock (@teawithjud) on Mar 4, 2019 at 11:49pm PST

Continue reading How is it February already?

This competition is now closed.

This year out of curiosity I have been keeping a record of how many pots I’ve made. If you would like to have a guess how many pieces I’ve made in total, since the start of the year, you could WIN a Limited Edition Grey & Gold Tea Set.

All you have to do to enter is comment below with the number of pots you think I’ve made, and tell me the person you would like to share a pot of tea with, if you win!

Simple.

The prize includes 1x Teapot, 1x Jug, 2x Cups and 1x Small Bowl, all from the Limited Edition Collection.

T&C’s:
1. You can only enter via my Website, Facebook and Instagram, 1 entry per person
2. First correct guess WINS. If no one guesses the correct answer, the person with the closest answer will be the winner.
3. In the event of 2 or more correct guesses, the name will be chosen at random.
4. UK winning entry will receive free postage of prize
5. International winning entry must pay half of the postage fee.
6. Competition closes on 23rd December at 6pm
7. Winner will be notified after closing date and must agree to P&P terms (if applicable). Prize will be posted in January 2019.
8. If winner is not contactable within 7 days of notification, Tea with Jud reserves the right to chose the next closest answer.

Good Luck!

PS – today is the last day of my online orders for guaranteed Christmas Delivery.

Ciao!

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This competition is now closed.

Hello,

Things are starting to wind down a little bit here. I cannot believe I have nearly made it to the end of this year. At some points I never thought I would! I’m feeling very excited about getting a good break from my workshop and having a rest.

But before that, there are just a few things I’d like to tell you… If you wish to place an order online and make the last post in time for Christmas (18th December) you need to do it by 17th December. Any orders placed after that will not be processed until Monday 7th January 2019.

This year lots of my friends and even people I don’t know have been donating bubble wrap, boxes and all sorts of packaging to me. Sometimes I arrive home to a pile of bubble wrap sitting at my door! Thank you to all of you who have done so. It is so thoughtful, helpful and always so useful. Also, thank you to Number Thirty One in Blairgowrie for saving me all your newspapers. If you want to unload your empty boxes and packaging to me next year I will happily take it off your hands.

I’d also like to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who has bought pottery from me, my website or any of my stockists. My business wouldn’t work without you, and I am very grateful for your custom.

To show my appreciation I will be having a special Christmas Competition! Keep an eye out next week if you fancy your chance at winning some of the very popular Grey and Gold Limited Edition Collection!

If possible I will also try and add a few more of the *SOLD OUT* mugs to my online shop, in time for last orders, fingers crossed I get them out of the kiln in time!!!

Finally, if you still are in need of some of my pottery, or even just want to come and look at my fabulous sink, my last 2 markets of the year are –

Urban Market
Date: Sunday 16th December
Time: 11am – 5pm
Place: West Ward Works, Dundee

Urban Market
Date: Sunday 23rd December
Time: 12 noon – 5pm
Place: Drygate Brewery, Glasgow

Phew. That’s if for now.
Cheerio.