Our Easter Tree

When I was little we used to have an Easter tree, Mum would take us for a walk in the woods and we'd get some thin tree branches which she would put in a vase and hang little things off, it was lovely and always looked so pretty :)

This year I decided I'd do the same with my girls :)

So here is ours 

I thought we'd start small :)

we had a lovely craft day and made the little ceramic hanging eggs :)

I rolled out the clay and let the kids loose with the stamps :)
they loved it! and then we used our little egg cutter to cut them out

I should have got more organised and made some for my shop :( 

definitely next year!

I also found some pretty little decorations from etsy 

These sweet little flowers were crocheted by the talented Twinkknits 

These cute little paper birds are all the way from America from Up the attic stairs

The children are thrilled with the tree

I've told them the Easter Bunny will be really happy with it and leave them special eggs :)

Next year we'll go a bit bigger :)

But maybe not this big :)

This beautiful tree is from Germany where the tradition originated, find out more about this tree and the tradition in this lovely blog

Pottery! My process :)

Lots of people ask me how I make my magnets, buttons or hearts so I thought i'd take some pictures & write up the process, this is how i make a magnet :) it is the same for a button, i just add holes

First I roll out the clay

I use a place mat either side to make sure the clay is the same width 

Then I choose a stamp to use, these amazing stamps and lots of my others :) are from skull and crossbuns

After pressing in the stamp, I use a cutter to cut out the magnet 

They are then left overnight to dry out

When dry, they are cleaned up with a damp sponge to make all the edges smooth 

Then they are added to the kiln, This is done carefully as they are very brittle, I normally break one or a few :(

This is the first shelf

And the 2nd :)

They are then fired up to 1060°C, A very slow temperature rise is critical. 

During the beginning of the bisque firing, the last of the atmospheric water is driven out of the clay. 

If heated too quickly, the water will turn into steam while inside the clay body, causing the clay to burst. 

Once the kiln reaches this temperature it switches off and begins to cool, The cooling is also slow to avoid the pots breaking due to stress from the temperature changes. 

the whole process takes about 12 hours, so I usually do it overnight :)

when a piece has had it's first firing it is called bisque ware

Three bisque ware cupcake magnets ready for some glaze :)

The glaze is painted on

then it is wiped off using a damp sponge, this leaves the glaze just in the stamped indent 

Three glazed magnets, the glazes looks really pale but will get brighter when fired :)

The magnets need to be clear glazed, this gives them their shiny finish and will protect them

Three clear glazed magnets, it's kind of like dipping a sausage in batter :) the glaze dries to a power like coating

They then go back in the kiln for another 12hour firing this time to a temperature of 1015°C

glazed ware is not allowed to touch during this firing as the glazes melt they and will stick together so it's a fine balancing act to pack the kiln :)

In the morning opening the kiln is always a surprise as you never really know how things will turn out :)

Here are three finished magnets :)

you can find them and others in my shop Cariad Clay :)

well I hope I've not bored you too much :) x

Some of my Favourite Purchases from Etsy...........So far :) Part 2!

OK I have found so many wonderful items that the first post was getting rather long...........
so I've decided to sneak in a part 2 :)

Firstly I'd like to introduce you to this cute shop The Sequinned Sheep I know what a cool name!

She make such lovely soft knitted and crocheted things! like these cute hair elastics! I bought some for my little girls and they are now a firm favourite in our house!

As well as the hair accessories they also stock lovely hats, gloves and scarf's but you really must see the crocheted jewelry it's so beautifully made and unusual 

This next shop the wonderful TwinKKnits Makes lovely soft fingerless gloves in really beautiful colours 

I bought this blue pair for my sister and they were so nice I got a green pair for me :)

Last but not least :) Is Kat's jewelry Box Where you will find really eye catching Jewelry 

  Look at this glass flower pendant! they are really amazing :)

I have the pendant to match these earrings and love it! Everyone asks where I got it and I always send them to Kat :)

Some of my Favourite Purchases from Etsy...........So far :)

Since starting my Etsy shop last year not only have I found a great way to share my work but I have been introduced to some other amazing shops selling beautiful and varied items :)

Here are a few of my favourites!

Nadine at Imynda  On Etsy Hand crochets these beautiful flowers out of fine cotton and turns them into the prettiest hair clips :) My two daughters wear them to school most days and have had some lovely compliments on them

She also does a lovely range of handmade cards that feature her crochet items, what a truly unique idea :)

Another purchase I love is this perfect little mirror

I keep one in my bag and so does my sister :) it's so beautiful but so handy to :)
I was bought from KitzieG who has a wonderful eye for colour and the natural form
All her designs are hand cut from her own designs

She also sells wonderful Painted woooden bunting! I couldn't resist this either :)
Here is mine on my Welsh dresser
I absolutely love it! and cheers me up often :)

Anyone who know's me will know i can't live without my iphone! I'm on my 4th one now but this one is going strong! I think it's a record :) why? because i've finally found a case that works (and i love)

Lucy's unique Creations  Sells Beautifully sewn Accessories, Cushions and Phone cases :)
she uses really quirky and colourful fabrics in her designs that are not only stunning but are so well made :)
Now when my phone is in my bag it is cushioned in my felt lined phone case, it even has a little pocket for my earphones and credit card!

 
Her cushions are also Amazing :)

Another thing I love is hoarding fabric and buttons! every now and again i go through a sewing phase so love to have lots of pretty things ready for when i do :)
So when I discovered Sassalynne's shop I was in Heaven :)

She hand dyes the softest felt in some amazing colour combinations, I have 3 pieces here just waiting to be used :)

She also sells Hand Dyed Cotton threads

Knitting Yarns and Quilting Fabric

I'm sure you could find anything on etsy :)
Take a look x

Buttons Buttons Buttons

I love Buttons :)

I have a huge tin and I hoard them in it :)

So it was inevitable that I made Ceramic Buttons!

And here they are

These were my first ever buttons and I loved them :)
but they were an absolute pig to make :(

So I decided to go bigger :)

So my Big Statement Buttons were born!
and if I do say so myself they are so pretty :)

I have sold some in My shop and they have gone to new homes maybe to be hoarded by someone else :)

But some have already been Re-born on Etsy

This Beautiful Shawl was made by the very talented Margaret over at MolliMade

Three Buttons have been turned into Striking chunky necklaces by the talented KariOriginal

I love them all and am really tempted to buy one back :)

This bright and summery Bag was made by Joy at Perfect Little Purses 

Hello All :)

Well I've done it! At least I think I have, Have I?

If I have then welcome to my shiny new blog!

Here I plan to share with you all my clay adventures :)

and a bit of my general life too

Right lets get the painful bit done first...........The bit about me

Anyway I'm Chloe I live in Wales and I make things out of clay and sell them on etsy in my shop called Cariad Clay 

Cariad is Welsh for or love, beloved, sweetheart or darling

Here I am

Yes I know scary :) 
but I like to know who I'm reading about so thought you would too