POTTER OF THE WEEK
Jenny took the title this week, after her stunning ’60s-inspired vases moved Keith to tears and drew every single compliment you can think of!
WEEK 6
A pair of vessels inspired by the swinging Sixties, and a repeat pattern decoration spot challenge
GOING HOME
Nick had a blowout in the bisque-firing, and his decoration challenge didn’t go brilliantly, with guest judge Orla Kieley not very taken by his f lames design.
Nick
Was it liberating to be filming this series?
It was great to do something a bit different; I loved the challenge of starting something completely new and seeing what I could push myself to do in the competition. It was the most fun I’ve had since my 30th birthday party.
What age or time in your life did you start pottery and who inspired you?
I started in April 2020 when we went into lockdown. An old friend stopped by and mentioned he had an old wheel I could have, so I guess he inspired me to give it a go. Cheers Alex xx
Can you say something about the best piece of pottery you have ever made, even if it was your first piece – and any memories that are attached to it?
My best piece of pottery is always the one I’m in the middle of making; the problem is I never finish anything.
Where do you make your pottery, do you have a shed or a workshop that you share?
I make at my house in the conservatory and then glaze and fire in my workshop.
What is your favoured technique – hand-built or thrown – or both and why?
At the moment I’m enjoying handbuilding with heavily textured clays, the pieces I’m making have become more sculptural than functional.
Pottery is usually a relaxing hobby and a lengthy process so what was it like to be working under quite strict time constraints that first week?
Pottery at home compared to the competition are a million miles away from each other. The first challenge was crazy, I found my hands were shaking which doesn’t work well with making, plus it was hotter than the sun in the pottery that day.
What is your favourite piece of pottery that you make for friends and family, and do you get any special requests around Christmas or birthdays?
I’ve not made anything for anyone yet except a lighthouse for my mum. I’m still to find what area of ceramics I’m heading in so until then no one is having anything off me.
How did you find filming walking in on the first day?
It’s hard to walk when you have to think about it, a bit like breathing I guess. I think I was just copying the person in front.
Which judge did you want to impress the most and why?
I wanted to impress Rich more I guess, maybe because he’s a bit more self-contained and less open than Keith and it takes a bit more to make him excited.
What do you feel that you will take away from your experience on The Great Pottery Throw Down?
Apart from the obvious good memories, I’ll never forget the experience. The nerves at the beginning were quickly replaced with good friends which hopefully will now become lifelong relationships.
