Abby Ducharme // Ceramic Maker

Ceramics research & development

[abbyducharmeceramics]

GIVEAWAY!!

It’s been a while Tumblr! I used this platform a lot in my uni days and i’ve totally neglected it for the last few years. To make it up to you i’m offering one lucky follower the chance to win one of my personalised Christmas decorations. 

All you have to do is head over to my instagram .....

www.instagram.com/abbyducharme 

....and give me a follow and tag 3 friends who would love the chance to win too.

Entries will close Monday 30th at 10pm and I’ll announce the winner Tuesday morning. 

Good luck everyone 

xxx

[abbyducharmeceramics]

***FOR SALE*** Bespoke made display cabinet. This display stand was part of my final piece for my degree. It is a stair like structure which functions as a cabinet/display. It would look amazing as a contemporary shop display or even in a modern home. Each step/box is individual and sits (moveable) on the white stair frame. There is a glass panel on the bottom side of each box and a glass affect plastic sheet on top which allows light from underneath to illuminate objects inside each box. The main structure is made from tulipwood which has been sealed with Dutch oil. I'm moving abroad and sadly can't keep it but I'd love for it to go to a good home. It was made by a highly skilled carpenter (DH!) so the joinery is a very high standard. I'm open to offers - so please get in touch if you are interested :) I'll post more detailed photos soon. #handmade #cabinet #display #shop #contemporary #wunderkammer #modern #sculpture #woodwork #carpentry #joinery #craft #forsale #retail #cabinetofcuriosities #bespoke #custom #made

[abbyducharmeceramics]

Collapsin vase

Hi Abby. the little vase from the mini group looks great! Just goes to show that all is not lost when making. If we suspend our expectations and go with the flow look what happens.

[abbyducharme]

This little thing almost went in the bin after being passed round a demo group whilst it was still wet! A little polish and a high fire and it’s a perfectly respectable #vase :) #recycle #ceramic #slipcast #porcelain #flowers

[abbyducharmeceramics]

I love the pastel colors you are able to get! I was just wondering if you make your own glaze or if you use commercial glazes :)

Hi there! Thanks for the support :) I don't actually glaze the outside of my vessels. Although it's always gratifying when people think I have. What you are seeing is actually the porcelain body itself. I use stains to colour the porcelain slip which gives it the colour you see. I mix all my own colours from scratch but I would imagine you can buy some satin non glossy glazes in pastel shades. If not you could always find a matte transparent glaze and add your own oxides or stains. I spent a lot of time doing colour mix tests so I would suggest you have a look online at recipes and then do a few tests. It's a bit laborious but it's a great reference to have a colour library. hope this helps and feel free to ask any other questions :)

[abbyducharme]

I finally put the shelves up in the spare room which has given me a place to photograph pieces in beautiful natural light. I forgot how much fun arranging and rearranging the objects is :) #photoshoot #photography #interior #ceramic #porcelain #colour #forms #light #pastels #spring #birds #home #style

[abbyducharmeceramics]

Free recording: Applying for MADE LONDON - How to maximise your application - The Design Trust

applying for MADE LONDON craft show

If you are thinking of showing at one of the MADE art/craft shows then this webinar is definitely worth a listen.

[abbyducharmeceramics]

Fantastic article for any ‘makers’ out there!

[abbyducharmeceramics]

Design | Robin Hohn: The Diversity of Mass Production | CFile Foundation

Design | Robin Hohn: The Diversity of Mass Production

Interesting piece on the mass production of porcelain and how we interpret and ‘deal’ with apparent inaccuracies. As a maker that uses an industrial process (slip casting) I found this a refreshing outlook. I’m always so critical of my own work and the small ‘errors’ that can occur when slip casting. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m not a machine or a factory production line!

[abbyducharme]

Having a spring clean today and was just about to chuck this old garlic crusher out before this happened!!! #playdoh #newtoy #clay #dyecut #extruded #worms #forms #alien #tubes #ceramic

[abbyducharmeceramics]

I was lucky enough to attend a lecture last week by Alison Britton as part of the Emmanuel Cooper lecture series organised by 318 Ceramics in Farnham.

It was a fascinating talk, especially as the subject skirted around issues of ceramics and its place within the domestic/functional and sculptural art arenas. A subject that majorly influenced my final year work.

I hadn’t previously experience Britton’s work which I now certainly have an affinity for!

Here is a brief outline of the lecture and photos above of Britton’s work.

Use and Beauty : things, thinking and work with Alison Britton - 5th March 2015 The famous pairing of ‘use and beauty’ is Bernard Leach’s, and the largest Leach archive resides here in Farnham at the Crafts Study Centre. Alison Britton’s lecture will explore a thread through her own work over the past few years that weaves different connections to use and beauty in the way her thinking has evolved through the mixed making pots, writing, and curating. It celebrates the instability of craft in the spectrum of art and design. 

[abbyducharmeceramics]

My first experience with smoke firing - copper fuming in particular. Such random and unexpected results. Also it's a great way to stay warm on a cold windy day :)

[abbyducharme]

Closer detail of the corner joints when revealed. #woodshop #woodwork #workshop #carpenter #carpentry #joinery #joints #japanese #handmade #handtools #tools #oak #fourposterbed #furniture #interior #bed #bespoke

[abbyducharme]

A few sneaky snaps of the four poster bed as max takes it all apart to move 🔨 #carpentry #woodwork #joinery #tools #handmade #handtools #oak #carpenter #timberframe #fourposterbed #workshop #woodshop #joints #furniture #design #interior #bespoke

[abbyducharme]

Fab workshop demo yesterday by the very talented #felicitylloydcoombes - it was fascinating to watch how quickly she sculpted and morphed the clay into a fantastically majestic hare. Looking forward to the next Southern ceramics group get together :) #southernceramicsgroup #scg #demo #workshop #clay #sculpture #animal #figurine #art #ceramic #form #sculpt

[abbyducharme]

It was only a matter of time before #birds met #triangles. #decals #surface #porcelain #ceramic

[abbyducharme]

CACTI!!!!!!!!! #planter #cactus #porcelain #bowl #home #clay #slipcast