Helena Brennan

HELENA  got throwing porcelain to- day.

“A bit of sorting out the studio first and then kneading up Audrey Blackman porcelain clay I threw

four ( 1lb.) pots plus lids and spouts. They will have to dry out a bit (leather hard) before I join them up.

Nothing is measured except the inside diameter of the lid gallery. Special care is taken to

make the lid a small bit smaller so that it will fit snug, but not too tight.

When finished if the lid is drawn back to one side it should still be resting on the gallery rim.

David Leach thought me how to make a good (non drip) teapot.

Do you want to know more?  Come and join in the making. Half Days €50.

20% fee discounts for unwaged and Ceramic Ireland Members. Email:  studio@helenabrennan.com

Keep watching my NEWS UPDATES and if you want to join me here in the studio for hands on experience come along .

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Hi there..this is my first blog….I am blogging to spread the news of my kiln firings and experiments by publishing photos of the most successful pieces as they come from the kiln- warm like new laid eggs. After 40 years making in Dun Laoghaire last Autumn (2009) I built a high firing gas catenary arch kiln by my cottage studio near Avoca. I have had 12 firings and successfully made both stoneware and translucent porcelain. Firing the pots in a smoky atmosphere to 1265degrees centigrade over 12 hours and using copper oxide in the glaze recipe has given me lime green to damson and cherry red on the one piece. I find this very beautiful as it evokes a evening sky and yet will last for thousands of years and can be handled daily as you sup your coffee or tea.

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