Ceramic woodpeckers cut out. Tomorrow they will be fettled- edges rounded and smoothed, hanging holes drilled. Then slow dried to avoid warping. Bisque firing once completely dry in a week or so. Then the fun part- the painting can happen.

The first flower bud on my new passion flower vine is giving me distinctly "Feed me Seymour" vibes.

June 13th you will find @potsofhistory.bsky.social and I making Neolithic pottery at Bryn Celli Ddu, Anglesey, North Wales. 🏺 There will be lots more to see, flint knapping with @ancientcraftuk.bsky.social #arcaeology cadw.gov.wales/ancient-arch...

This BH Weekend, @pottedhistory.bsky.social is joining various other craftspeople and reenactactors at Binchester in County Durham. aucklandproject.org/attraction/b... He'll be demonstrating Roman pottery techniques- wheel forming etc. Want to know about samianware? Barbotine ware, amphorae?

These parrot tulips have been absolutely beautiful. But they're fading now and will soon need to be deadheaded. Time marches on in the yarden.....

The first of my clematis flowers have opened. They aren't very prolific bloomers, unlike the types that ramble all along some people's fences in wild abandon. But each flower is big, bold and dramatic.

I've just completed this painting of a puffin fishing. It's puffin time here in Northumberland @ukgiftam.bsky.social

This BH Weekend, @pottedhistory.bsky.social is joining various other craftspeople and reenactactors at Binchester in County Durham. aucklandproject.org/attraction/b... He'll be demonstrating Roman pottery techniques- wheel forming etc. Want to know about samianware? Barbotine ware, amphorae?

Seen this @pottedhistory.bsky.social? Exciting stuff.

After last night's rain, the yarden is buzzing! And the wisteria is looking good. #garden #gardening #containergarden

Just got a new mini tens machine but realise that neither @northumberart.bsky.social nor I can use it!

Here is part 2 of the video that I posted yesterday. 🏺⚱️ What did the Romans do for potters? youtu.be/BBXTU5ZOfKY?...

A new project today, making 13 Roman amphorae. ⚱️🏺 I'm starting with a London 555 Amphora, a long slender pot that will be almost 1 metre tall when finished. As with most Amphora we start in the middle, 🎼🎵🎶 it's a very good place to start 🎵🎶🤣 Watch for developments #Archaeology

I can’t believe I did this 😳 We launched our Janus Bust to our mailing list… then I forgot to tell everyone else. I’m a potter. The businesswoman part is still under construction 😅 See the Janus Bust potted-history.co.uk/products/janus

I've just completed this small painting of a chaffinch with plum blossom. It's normally puffins that I paint, but this cheeky bird came to share our lunch one day at the Ingram Cafe....

Part 1 of 4, there's lots more information on ancient pottery making and much more to come on our YouTube channel, so click subscribe while you're there.

I spent this afternoon framing... So there are now some new treasures ready to go home with lucky customers.

I've listed four new A4 jigsaw / card combos on my website crownstudiogallery.myshopify.com They're a great little treat for you or a friend.

Today I'm packing up a fresh consignment of my little A5 jigsaws. They come with a matching card and envelope, so once the puzzle is completed the card can be written and posted on to someone else. A puzzle and greeting card all wrapped into one. crownstudiogallery.myshopify.com/products/jig...

Look how big and beautiful this amaryllis is! This is its second year of flowering.

Want to see some cranked up ceramic birds??? After having been decorated using underglaze colours, these ones have been glazed, cleaned and are now stacked in a plate "crank"ready for the glaze kiln. Ordeal by fire later today! #Pottery #Ceramics #gardenbirds #puffins

This wall hanging Face Pot was wheel formed by my husband, Graham / @pottedhistory.bsky.social I added the face. I've just planted it with a red geranium, Pelargonium zonale. It will be going in a sunny spot once all danger of frost is over.

Three blooms on my amaryllis... It's a beauty.

Made an "emergency" trip to our local family run plant nursery, as I found I was short of a few plants. It's a lovely drive there at this time of year- through bluebell woods, and past fields of lambs, winter wheat or oil seedrape flowers.

I've been glazing more ceramic puffins today. Now that the puffin season has begun in Northumberland, they're even more popular than usual!

[email protected] And for all the Puffin fans - the National Trust have a Puffin cam live on Inner Farne (described by David Attenborough as the best place to see puffins in the UK) See my puffin cards, prints, paintings and more here- crownstudiogallery.myshopify.com #Northumberland

Everything in my garden is lovely... Even if the world in general seems all too bleak today.

This is my latest Puffin design- just back from the printers. I think I'm a little bit in love with it. I have it as a card and coaster. But perhaps it will make it onto other items soon. So far only available directly from Crown Studio Gallery, Rothbury. #Puffins #northumberland #InnerFarne

Hey @ukgiftam.bsky.social is it Puffin Friday? If not, it ought to be! They're back for the season. Crown Studio Gallery has just had a new delivery of fabulously puffinatious goodies back from the local printers. "Love Nest" Puffins makes a great new card / coaster to add to the existing range.

It's like Christmas when a new consignment of my printed items arrives from the local printers. Old favourites, new favourites and some surprises! So pop into Crown Studio Gallery if you're in Rothbury and grab some great new designs- like "Love Nest" Puffin cards and coasters etc #Northumberland

What's the point of an amphora? 🏺 Last night, on YouTube, I posted part 1 of Making a Roman Amphora, today here is part 2. Well worth a watch especially if you'd like to see what happens when it all goes wrong #Archaeology youtu.be/2hm8aUYXwAw?...

I'm quite used to answering unexpected questions on a regular basis in Crown Studio Gallery. But today was the first time anyone has asked me where they could buy chips. 🙃 I suggested the chip shop up the street.

Just uploaded to YouTube Why do amphorae (amphoras) have pointed bases and how were they made? 🏺 This video will show you the making of a Roman Camulodunum 186a Garum, Fermented Fish Sauce Amphora, from start to finish, and explain why they are the shape they are. #archaeology youtu.be/MbrF0_q4c5E

This is my yarden 6 years ago. www.facebook.com/share/p/1VZH... Today it looks like this

Voting in UK elections tomorrow? You'll live with the results for some time- so vote wisely. I'd urge you to find out about the past accomplishments of the individual candidates. Are they experienced in getting things done? Have they worked as part of a team? Or are they purely career politicians?

My tulips are still going strong. How fabulous they're been this year!

Wanna see my unfurling fern fronds? Of course you do! So here they are, with hostas in my shaded inner yard, visible from my studio window.

My Bank Holiday Sunday has involved a trip to our local family run nursery, Stanton Hall Gardens, and a wet walk in the bluebell woods on the way home. Roast chicken dinner later.

A fresh batch of puffins and bluetits, hand painted and ready for glaze firing. Each one is unique, inspired by the plumage of real birds. Once fired, colours brighten and the glossy finish will not fade in even the brightest sunlight. Perfect for adding a cheerful splash of colour indoors.

Problem solved. The green woodpeckers are now hanging on green ribbons, and they look rather splendid. But, that was the last of my green ribbon, so future birds will be finished with red instead. These early pieces are available now, exclusively at Crown Studio Gallery. First come, first perched

Look at my newest bird design. Fresh from the glaze kiln today and now threaded on green ribbons. @ritterton.bsky.social

HELP! I've just got my first batch of my new design, green woodpeckers from the glaze kiln. They look great. But now I can't decide if they should have green or red ribbon hangers. What do you think???

It's been a busy week for cards, so today I am restocking plenty of singles and six packs ready for the Bank Holiday weekend. If you are visiting lovely Rothbury, there will be lots to choose from in the gallery. Also available online here- crownstudiogallery.myshopify.com/collections/...

It's 26 yrs now since @pottedhistory.bsky.social and I left Lesotho to return to the UK. So why, on seeing this hair clasp of mine on the bathroom floor, did my mind instantly tell me it was an African rain / baboon spider! They're not even particularly common in rural Lesotho, where we lived. 🤔

These two little sheep have left the flock for pastures new. But I do still have other sheep in need of homes.

Monday being the second day of my weekend, I've spent the day getting the yarden summer ready. Sweeping up the leaves, I'd left for insects to over winter in. General tidying, rehanging some terracotta wall decorations etc etc.

Saturday blooms- tulips and welsh poppies. #bloomscrolling

Amaryllis of the day. Bloom scrolling is SO much better than doom scrolling!

The first of these orange tulips is getting close to opening.... So far it doesn't look as I expected. Look at that tantalising glimpse of purple.....

This painting has SOLD this morning. I'm going to miss it- but it does remind me that I need to get busy painting again. crownstudiogallery.myshopify.com/products/fox...