Margaret Haslam’s Pottery aka Margaret
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What do you make?
I make slip trailed pottery, which is earthenware clay decorated with liquid clay coloured with oxides. Who would have thought that cobalt carbonate, a dull greyish powder, would make such a beautiful blue! What inspires you? I am inspired by Thomas Toft’s pots in the 17th century, he made lively dishes with pictures of mermaids, unicorns, pelicans and Charles 11 hiding in an oak tree. I also love samplers, scrimshaw, canal boat painting and embroidery, in fact all folk art. |
How did you begin your journey?
I first began pottery at an evening class. I had always wanted to try it and thought it would be relaxing as I had a rather intense job at an advertising company at the time. I loved it so much I didn’t want to stop at the end of the sessions!
What is your favourite thing to make?
The most popular thing I make is a dish with a house with a tree either side, (based on a sampler) with ‘The way to a friends house is never long’ round the rim. A lady bought one for her friend in Australia, I thought that really was a bit far.
Do you ever have crafting disasters?
The worst crafting disaster I had was the rivets pinging out of my kiln and the outside wall coming adrift due to heat. Luckily my husband had a length of anchor chain handy and lashed it all together. Now I have been potting so long that I am on my second kiln and the rivets are fine so far.
If you had a crafting wish, what would it be?
My crafting wish I suppose is a nice queue of customers!
I first began pottery at an evening class. I had always wanted to try it and thought it would be relaxing as I had a rather intense job at an advertising company at the time. I loved it so much I didn’t want to stop at the end of the sessions!
What is your favourite thing to make?
The most popular thing I make is a dish with a house with a tree either side, (based on a sampler) with ‘The way to a friends house is never long’ round the rim. A lady bought one for her friend in Australia, I thought that really was a bit far.
Do you ever have crafting disasters?
The worst crafting disaster I had was the rivets pinging out of my kiln and the outside wall coming adrift due to heat. Luckily my husband had a length of anchor chain handy and lashed it all together. Now I have been potting so long that I am on my second kiln and the rivets are fine so far.
If you had a crafting wish, what would it be?
My crafting wish I suppose is a nice queue of customers!
