Yesterday morning, as I enjoyed my morning coffee, I watched Jonathon Bancroft Snell opening parcels of pots, filmed by Brian Cooke. It’s extraordinary to be able to see and hear reactions and find out how my pieces survived my packing. Meira Mathieson, who has been showing her work at Jonathon’s for many years, had also sent a box of new work.

Now that they have been revealed I can post photos of the pieces that were in the soda firing. The Bird Bowl has wings folded into his sides and a tail that could be a handle. The flashing slips and the soda gave him lots of colour and texture, and the shino-glazed interior is a warm orange. Collector Kathy was watching the reveal from her home in the States, and gaily notified me that this Bird will now join other Gillian pieces that already live with her.

Before it is packed up for shipment across the border Jonathon or Brian kindly took this little video of said bowl. Thanks. I’m astonished when work is snapped up so quickly and this will be a way of remembering what I did.

I also sent along a tall ‘Watering Can.. ard’ that I had fired in the Fraser Valley group soda firing in December. Again, there’s lots of variety in his feathers and bill.

Jonathon had asked me let them have another practical and traditional jug. This one has some blue orange peel. It is a shape that I enjoy making. Not all jugs need to be birds.

I sent along two more ‘egg boxes’ (which I’m told may well be purchased to be used as yarn bowls by London knitters).

And finally the box was filled with four generous-sized mugs. They are a way of trying out a variety of flashing slips. Sadly I must have been a bit stingy with padding and one didn’t make the trip. Lesson learned.

Spring is coming and I have optimistic colours on my almost finished earthenware pots. I hope to load the kiln this weekend.