No one has yet suggested a June challenge, so I thought I’d throw an idea into the ring 😊 After my recent visit with Lucy at West2Ceramics, we were chatting about doing a glaze challenge where a randomizer chooses 2–3 glazes for us to put directly onto a finished piece 😳 Now for some people, that probably sounds completely normal… but for me? Absolutely not 🤣 I ALWAYS test first. Always. So the idea of surrendering control and glazing an actual piece with combinations I haven’t carefully planned genuinely makes me feel anxious. But it also made me realise something… So much growth seems to happen when we push slightly beyond the things that feel safe and comfortable. Sometimes we avoid things because they genuinely intimidate us a little: • a process • a technique • a glaze • a form • sharing our work publicly • joining a live call • starting a YouTube channel • speaking up in the community • trying something we might “fail” at And yet when we finally take that step, we often end up experiencing things we never otherwise would have. Sometimes it’s a beautiful result. Sometimes it’s learning. Sometimes it’s confidence. Sometimes it’s simply realising:✨ “Actually… I CAN do this.” ✨ What I love so much about this community is how we all seem to help each other grow in different ways every single day 💜 So rather than making this just a glaze randomizer challenge, I wondered if June could simply become: ✨ Push Past Your Comfort Zone ✨ Your challenge can be completely personal to YOU. Maybe that means: • trying a new process or technique • using glazes you normally avoid • experimenting with a form you’ve never attempted • handbuilding instead of wheel throwing • carving, texture or decoration • finally reglazing that failed piece • posting your work online more • joining a Skool call for the first time • starting a YouTube or Instagram account • or letting randomness choose your glazes 😅 This isn’t about perfection. Its about experimenting, learning, sharing and maybe surprising ourselves a little along the way 💜

I just thought of an interesting question that I'd like to know the answer to. Let's say you get up in the morning and go to your kitchen to get a hot beverage. Assuming the mugs to choose from are all your favourite shape and size, what would be the colour or glaze combo you would reach for first? It doesn't have to be a mug you already have, it can be one you know you would enjoy. And this doesn't have to be a forever decision, it can just be what you want now or it could be your all-time favourite, feel free to clarify! I think right now I'd go for a mug with Raspberry Mist and Amaryllis over it, like the berry bowl from my last kiln unload. And a red engobe base too!

I was asked earlier to make these for a wholesale order. At the time, I she ordered 15 mugs and some other things to go with. She just emailed me last night asking to order 31 more mugs and 18 Christmas ornaments with their logo on them. I’m so beyond excited! This home town of mine is only 2300 people so it’s small. This order will be around $1150! So grateful!!!

It was so lovely to see Lucy pop into the weekly call for a few minutes last night. I know many of you know that Lucy has been going through an incredibly difficult time, so seeing her slowly finding little moments of pottery again feels really special. Clay has such a quiet kind of therapy to it, doesn’t it? A little bit of making, a little bit of distraction, a little bit of laughter — and somehow it starts working its twinkly magic. As many of you know, I went to visit Lucy last week and we had the absolute best two days together. There were deep chats, of course, but mostly we chose pottery, distraction, laughter, dogs, cats, chaos and a LOT of filming. My little vlog/outtakes video from the visit is now live, with snippets from our two days together and lots of behind-the-scenes giggles. I’ll pop the link in the comments below in case anyone fancies a little chuckle with us. But the big one I’d really love to draw your attention to is over on Lucy’s own channel: **Lucy’s first ever YouTube premiere is this Wednesday at 7:30pm BST.** It's a kiln opening we filmed together in her studio, and it would mean such a lot if some of you were able to join us live in the chat. I know Lucy would really appreciate the support as she gently finds her way back into YouTube and pottery life again. If you enjoy the video, a like, comment, or share would be amazing — and if anyone has any spare Hypes and feels they’d like to use one, I know that would give her a lovely boost too. Absolutely no pressure at all, just a gentle little invitation to show up for one of our pottery community if you’re free. I’ll pop Lucy’s premiere link below in case anyone would like to join us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zzpadcua1U

Had to share this image. It’s the front row of my colored slip shelf. It just struck me as a very satisfying image!