Pete Moss - Ceramicist

Guest speaker - Being self-employed & career development

Hugely useful session, masses of practical resources to investigate. Really sensible down-to-earth approach that was realistic – think it was hard to take for some group members but suited me fine. Everything targeted towards raising the profile of your practice, upping quality and respect, effective marketing and presenting a well thought out, professional, competent business.

Things to follow up:
Designer Jewellers’ Association
AIR business insurance (through AN)
East Mids Devt. Agency
Ashi Marwaha
Design Factory funding for business promotion, exhibition setup & fees etc.
Crafts Galleries Handbook
St Hugh’s Foundation

Cagliostro's alphabet...

Have been doing further research into Cagliostro, as mentioned in earlier post. Found his magic alphabet termed as the Alphabet of the Magi, so dug a bit further into it and found a font download I can use.

May not sound like much but I can now use that to print transparencies to use in acid etching onto metal. Once I'm in the studio I can start sorting that out as I'm loath to install chemical baths in my bedroom! Final busary instalment will take care of that set up, coming in June/July.

Studio space

Made a monumental change today (at least in my eyes!). Met with Filomena at Banks' Mill to arrange a studio space.

I've realised I've spent the last few weeks waiting for landmarks to arrive so I can take on something else, but they keep shifting and thingskeep getting put off. Original plan was to apply for the incubation programme at the Mill during the exhibition, so I could use it as an illustration of what I was looking to achieve. I still intend to do that, but suddenly wondered why I was waiting to actually move in to the Mill, when there are vacant studios with cheap rents and tons of support to be had. So I applied and I move in on 1st April.

Psychologically speaking, this will be a huge leap forward - I'll be 'at work' instead of pottering around at home, and there'll be people around all the time to discuss things with, bounce ideas off....should have done this sooner, but really chuffed I've done it now. :)

Public art - Maurice Maguire

This was a session I’d initially thought to be irrelevant to me, I’ve struggled to see where my work would fit in to some of the arenas we’ve been presented with. Having said that, Maurice’s talk on his public art project, Walk the Line, was extremely interesting. His enthusiasm and passion for his projects is infectious, and the commitment and sheer doggedness he shows when it comes to getting the work funded, up and running, received and appreciated is phenomenal.

Mentoring session #3 - practical

One of the BTG pieces is causing me real problems – an indication of the mismatch between what I’d like to do and what I have the technical skills to manage! One of the Victorian headpieces involves some really complex soldering that I haven’t yet mastered and I’m still not 100% confident with my new LARGE torch in my attic room. Called Jo for advice and she suggested I go round for a practical mentoring session. Turned out to be invaluable – gained loads of those little tips and tricks that come with lots of experience. Conquered my fear of the torch and managed to sort out the techniques I need to create the piece – excellent as it’s one I want to recreate to give me a foot into the bridal market.

To follow up:

Make duplicates of problem piece immediately, fit method and technique to my comfort zone.