It's been a topsy turvy time.

Christmas has flown around, Ive been soo busy with this process of making ceramics that time has eloped quicker than usual, I've been procrastinating around this newsletter, I did intend to do this newsletter once a month but life has got in the way once again. Anyway here goes the update:

I want to take this time to open up about my situation. 2 months ago I had a job as a machinist in Musquodoboit harbour on the east coast of Canada. The job went well, I jelled in nicely to the position and met some good people. The living situations weren't ideal, after two moves around the eastern shore I ended up sleeping outside my work in my van. This actually wasn't a bad thing! I really enjoyed the time camping out in the van. I was able to sleep down the beach and get a couple of surfs in each week, it also meant all the pottery equipment was positioned nicely all in one location (Pictou), and meant no moving fragile greenware around in the van.

As time ticked away I had this looming black cloud hovering above me. I came to Canada on a 2 year IEC (International Experience Canada) visa which enables people under 35 to work and live in Canada. My 2 years came to an end when I realised my time had elapsed on that permit. I was well on my way to having my Permanent Residency application complete but this meant I could no longer work and earn money in Canada.

latching onto all the positive's of this situation, the big one here is that my girlfriends parents are ever so supportive! To have me stay with them during this awkward time was enough, but giving me some space to create has been really amazing! we moved the wheel into the upstairs of their garage making the shit shed V2 production area. I started making batches of mugs/ bowls/ plates and threw in a vase here and there. This was a great practice run on how I would like to run a small pottery business. Learning to manage my time was the most challenging aspect as I felt I could easily overwork myself, but it was great to understand my potential output.

After an amazing run of making small batch's of ceramics I have decided to head back to the UK while my Permanent Residency application goes through. I needing some well needed family and friends time!

Id like to take this opportunity to thank all you lot watching my project so far. I really hope I can get this situation sorted as soon as possible to get back up and running! in the mean time I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Years!

Big Love

Here are some pictures of some of my most recent work.

Max

The V1 Shit Shed Shaper production area.

The V2 Shit Shed Shaper production area.

These where the Mugs from my most recent firing. Preparing the cataloging stage. Once the final firing is complete I have to photograph each item then add them to my itinerary.

2 Pasta Bowls.