That chun bowl is beautiful, I tried my hand at pottery many years ago and I was pretty hopeless, shame as I love the finish on raku pottery, at least I think that's what it's called. Do you make yarn holders by any chance? If you don't know what they are just search for ceramic yarn holders on google and you'll get an idea. If you do, I may
have to treat myself on my birthday next year, seeing as it's a milestone one
I know a couple of people who do make a living from selling what they make but they're lucky enough to have broken into the rich peoples' market and their work regularly appears in 'up-market' magazines. I do literally feel sick when I see the prices they are charging for their work, which is very good, but they are getting far more than minimum wage for the hours they put in. I don't think I'd ever be cheeky enough to ask anyone to pay so much money but it would be brilliant if someone would. On the other hand, I love what I do and if it ever felt like a 'proper' job it may not feel like quite as much fun.
As for the stuff my bloke has been pyro'ing, that's just the stuff that sells when I'm doing the yarn workshops at festivals, he has to do something to keep out of trouble. He prefers to work on much bigger projects. I would love him to make & pyro a large wooden bed, but as we don't actually need another bed it will have to wait. His next job (if I can persuade him) is going to be burning a design on one of my spinning wheels or maybe onto my violin. Not decided which yet. The cannabis leaf is actually a hemp leaf
which just happens to be one of my favourite yarns to work with. Can't understand why it's illegal personally, it's not like you can get high off it. It's so useful though and I've never had the chance to spin it, I've only worked with the ready made yarn, but it's so soft and takes dye beautifully.
As for planning regs, some of us do intend to work the woodland (all official like) and we understand about being able to stay there for the season but there being no legal definition of what a season is and just what buildings can and cannot be erected, but I've refrained from mentioning it until we've actually decided on the type of land we are going to buy and whether or not is has existing buildings. As I'm part of a co-operative, it's looking like a small farm but it's going to have a woodland. Planning regs will be dependent on the property/land and the legal status of our co-operative and whether there will be any 'change of use' issues. I just wanted to blog about 'my' dream woodland, hoping to sway the others into thinking 'more trees less grass', although it's not really going to plan. Once this year is over, we're going to get all the legalities started and get a firm idea of what we want, now we've all had some time to think about the various suggestions and their implications. I've actually had some very good advice from someone involved in local planning, regarding the different types of property/land and what regs relate to each type, what you can build and where, etc. I'm also getting advice from my 'legal eagle' ex-boss, as well as numerous folk in the sustainable sector. I content to carry on dreaming and I refuse to worry until there is an actual problem to overcome. I've got my teeth into this and, although I don't enjoy being down to earth, I'm walking blindly into this with no idea of what lies ahead, I'm asking questions, taking advice and thinking things through.
One last thing, you really should have bought the bus, my bloke would love a double decker too. I love old vehicles, buildings, tools, etc, I think I was born in the wrong time. Should have been born before the enclosure acts, then I could have been free to roam around the common land
by Wigan Pixie » Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:57 pm 
