Lace Sample Card Inspiration

This is an image of one of the lace sample cards which I love so much. I found these when I visited the Lace Archive at Nottingham Trent University a few years back. These were sent out with the salesman to show buyers what the lace they ordered would look like. A piece of lace this size would have been extremely expensive as so much time was spent creating it. A light sensitive paper was used to capture the pattern (this is the blue paper we see) and a small sample was attached. I love the blue and white combination-
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Lace Unarchived Exhibition

I’ve been to visit the Lace Unarchived exhibition in Nottingham. So inspiring! I thought I’d share some of what I saw and let you know my thoughts. (definitely one for those lace lovers out there!) Lace panel by Sophie Hallette, Caudry, France. This black lace was lit brightly from the front and the shadows that it cast on the wall were stunning. It’s really made me think of the way that lace plays with light and shadow. hmmm something to think about there!       This was a lace pattern design shown alongside an image of the finished lace.
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From Black to Blue

              I’ve taken a step in a new direction with my #designthroughmaking project. I’ve moved from the black slip to some lovely vibrant blue slip. I wanted to look back at some inspiration that I’ve worked with before, lace sample cards. A few years back I was lucky enough to visit the lace archive kept at Nottingham Trent University. I think I’ll wait to tell you more about why I love these cards to much but just wanted to mention that they are the reason I am drawn to working with blue. So here
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Sewing Stamps

Well I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep away from my needle and thread for long! I always find myself thinking of new ways to add a feeling of fabric to my ceramics. I’ve been inspired by the henna designs that I’ve been looking at while developing my sgraffito designs and I thought I’d have a go at recreating them with needle and thread. Using hand embroidery techniques I created these patterns with the idea of turning them into stamps to impress in the clay.           The stamps need to be pressed firmly into the
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Glazing Results

My design ideas are making their way through the kiln. These pieces have been glazed now so I can see the final results of my decorating techniques. I’ve used a black slip which needs to be applied in lots of thin layers to get a good clear black. I’ve started to enjoy the brushstrokes and more faded effect of my first attempts when the slip was applied with less layers. It’s surprising how something unintended can spark your ideas. It’s something that often happens in pottery as so many of the techniques are unpredictable. My time at the potters wheel has
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Sgraffito Doodles and Exploring Henna Designs

I’m now a few weeks into my new project and I’m really enjoying exploring a new design idea. I’ve started by working on sgraffito ideas. Using black slip and a nice scratchy pottery tool I have been doodling henna inspired designs on my thrown pieces. Throwing on the wheel I’ve enjoyed playing on the pottery wheel, making a mess and really testing my skills! Throwing is not an easy technique but certainly a fun one. I’ve started by working on bowls and small cups. I’ve always loved to create functionally pieces and the pottery wheel is ideal for this. So
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Introducing #designthroughmaking

Introducing #designthroughmaking I’m really excited to be starting work on a new project this year. My aims are to explore some new ideas, refresh my creative output and renew my love of designing and making. So where do I begin? I’m often asked about what my inspirations are when developing new ideas. Unlike other designers the starting point for me is not an inspirational image or landscape or sketch. I find inspiration through learning new techniques and playing with new materials. I call it designing through making. I love to learn a new technique. Although I’m mostly known for my porcelain
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2017- Refresh, Renew & Recreate

Hello everyone and welcome to 2017! Ok, I know this is a little bit late and I’ve clearly had a slow start to the year. It’s nearly the end of February now and the first two months have passed in a flash. Last week we celebrated my little Fiona’s first birthday so I feel like now I can start to make plans to get refocused on my designs again. Thank you to all our customers who kept in touch whilst I was on maternity leave and thank you to the Clare Gage team who kept things running so smoothly! So for
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Clare Gage Makes: Christmas Table Centre Decoration

It’s the festive season and if you’re anything like me you’ll be planning your gifts and decorations…and how you’ll make them all! I love a handmade Christmas. It’s so special to take the time to create pieces that add a personal touch to your celebrations. My favourite Christmas traditions include a touch of the handmade. From the decorations we made as children that still get hung on my parents’ tree to the homemade Christmas pudding that my dad serves with ceremony at the end of Christmas dinner. I see Christmas as an opportunity to create new designs, or perhaps just
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Beautiful Hand-made Limited Edition Festive Pieces by Clare Gage

Clare Gage’s unique work fuses textiles with ceramics to create stunning, yet functional, tableware, ornaments and jewellery. Each piece is individually handcrafted by Clare Gage herself in her workshop in Derbyshire. Her work is equally at home in contemporary, country, rustic, shabby chic or vintage interiors, making them an ideal Christmas gift. Some pieces have been given a festive twist for the month of December and each are limited edition, so when they are gone, they are gone! Below is a small selection that are sure to please the festive eye! Click through for more information.   Personalised Heart Decorations
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