Summer Studio Vibes: How the Season Influences My Work

As the days stretch longer and the sun shines brighter here my workflow at Just Plain Charming takes on a whole new energy. This time of year isn't just about enjoying the glorious weather; it fundamentally shifts my creative rhythm, especially in the pottery studio!

Ceramic Season

Bottoms of pots with Just Plain Charming Mark

The biggest changes for me are undoubtedly within my ceramic work. The warmer months are an absolute dream for all potters. The quick drying times mean I can maintain a steady stream of production and keep the kiln firing regularly, bringing out fresh batches of unique ceramic pieces at a much faster pace.

To give you a clearer idea, here's a typical drying journey for a single mug:

Mug Task	Summer	Winter
Drying time from throwing on the wheel to trimming	~24hrs	~5-7 days
Drying from trimming ready to Bisque fire	~2-3 days	~10-14 days
Glaze layers drying between coats once Bisque Fired	5 min	20min

Of course, this is just an example for one mug – the bigger the piece, the longer it takes to dry! I also have to ensure I fill the kiln, not only for energy efficiency but also to keep costs as low as possible.

As you can see, these timings in winter can cause real delays in making new stock, so building up ample inventory during the favourable weather for the colder months is also a key consideration.

Juggling Jewellery

Summer Surfite Collection

While ceramics often take centre stage in the summer sunshine, it does mean my jewellery bench doesn't always see as much love. However, there's still a pressing need to keep things current, with a particular focus on getting those summer jewellery collections ready for launch. Working with brighter stones and designs that capture the essence of the season, the surfite collection I'm creating this summer is a perfect example of seasonal energy feeding into my jewellery work.

It's also worth noting that jewellery sales are often stronger in the winter months, as people start enquiring about commissions for the festive season. By prioritising ceramic production in the summer, it allows me to create space for those additional autumn and winter jewellery commissions, making my workflow much more efficient overall.

Summer Markets

Nina at Bath Independant Market

Another significant factor influencing my schedule are the summer outdoor markets. These are incredibly rewarding events, offering a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with you all, share the stories behind my pieces, and see them find new homes. These events become a central focus during the summer months and encourage me to switch gears from solitary studio work to engaging directly with my community.

Preparing for these markets is a substantial part of my workflow – from selecting the right pieces to display, planning the layouts, carefully packaging everything up, to the actual setting up, attending, and packing down. There's a lot involved! These days can also be quite taxing on my energy, so I try to give myself space around them, as well as prioritising time with my husband for the rest of the weekend (especially since he works on weekdays!).

Also….I don’t know about you but I just FEEL more productive with the warmer months and longer days. It's an interesting juggling act, and I'm still learning to refine my ideal flow but every day