As Christmas creeps ever closer, Connie is getting busier and busier making little Xmas decorations for her pottery studio, and I’ve been helping her out for a few weeks now. Yesterday, I had two main tasks: rearranging the shop shelves to fit in all the extra things she’s fired over the past few weeks, and cutting out the cutest ickle robins from white earthenware clay which will soon be Christmas tree decorations.
The foxes I’ve been working on for weeks now are finally all glazed and fired and ready for Christmas! I strung a few up on the wall but we’re saving most of them for the Xmas sales. As you can see, the glaze has become much more pigmented through the firing process.
They’re quite reflective in the light, but here are some of my completed foxes. 
a lava foxy 
a pumpkin foxy! 
foxy display <3
While I’ve been doing the foxes, Connie has been working hard on these beautiful tea-light holders. She’s also glazed the hedgehog ring dishes I shaped a couple of weeks ago. (Also, seven of my soap dishes have sold! Seven!!)
a beautiful blue tea-light holder 
robin love tea-light holder! 
fiery red tea-light holders 
hedgehog ring dishes
My main job of the day was cutting out the robins. I managed to complete about a hundred of these. All you have to do is cut out the shape with a robin cookie cutter, cut out a little heart too, and make a hole to hang it from a Christmas tree. However, when you factor in the sticky, uncooperative clay it can take quite a while!
I had wonderful day yesterday volunteering with Connie. As well as having a lovely and productive time, I learnt an important lesson about keeping my workspace tidy and being systematic in my methods!
Lavinia, it is such a joy to read your blog, and I can tell that you really enjoy working with clay. I love the pictures that help too illustrate your narrative. As you said, yesterday has been a productive day – and making 100 Robins in an afternoon is quite the achievement. I have checked their drying progress today, and they are all of a really high standard. I am very proud of you and what you have achieved in just 5 or 6 sessions. I’m looking forward to seeing you again next week!
Thank you Connie! I’m so glad they’re turning out all right. See you soon!