elise bishop

UPDATE July 2014

Hi Site My Fire Supporters,

I have just opened my very first webstore, to check it out, click here!

I'd love your feedback!

Cheers, elise
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PROJECT UPDATE!!
Wow - it seems I've reached my target, with 11 days to go! I can't thank my supporters enough; it really means a huge deal to me, so CHEERS guys!

With a bit of time left, I'm still keen to share the rewards I have left. I can assure potential pledgers that I'll use any extra funds wisely, and for the good of MAKING.
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After many years of teaching younger people what I know (knew?) about rocknroll, in 2005 I embarked, full time, on a more introverted creative pursuit, that of making functional objects from clay. Ever since I was a kid, I've loved the feeling of wet clay in my hands; in many ways that 'presence' that I feel when I am immersed in creating something from clay is the same as that I feel when I am making music with other players. Anyway, I digress........

At the moment I have some purely practical needs; if I am to continue to practice as a ceramicist, I need to sort myself out a small gas kiln and a workspace at my home on Great Barrier Island.

Up until now, I have had to fire my work at some distance from where I make my objects. This methodology has always had its issues, not least a limiting effect on what I can successfully make and transport to a distant kiln for firing:

In the past I have made a number of large pieces, like big, flat platters, bathroom basins, large water pitchers, and serving bowls.







For me to be able to do this again, I need to minimise the movement of the pieces from making to glazing & firing. I also need complete control over the firing process :-
the pace of heating, the time in oxidation and reduction atmosphere in the kiln, the end temperature, and the pace of cooling all have an effect on the end product.

I would love to be able to make these kinds of large vessels again, as well as more delicate porcelain pieces like beakers and teabowls, which are also difficult to transport without cracking.


Because I live very remotely:


....the cost of transporting a kiln and building supplies is higher than if I lived in a normal place! The city of Auckland also has inordinately high costs associated with planning and building permits for the size of shed I need to house my kiln and a workspace. Hence the most economical solution to my problem is to bring a secondhand lpg kiln and house it adjacent to the house, and to convert the bedroom (pictured below - thanks Chris!) in to a studio space. I have explored other ideas (like a recycled shipping container), but it turns out that pretty much everything requires expensive permits. This way, I have a beautiful light workspace close to ready - I need to fill & seal the timber floor, add a solar panel and a battery for power, and install a workbench. My biggest expense will be freighting a 2nd hand kiln from the mainland, and providing it with a weatherproof home. That is what I am seeking funds for.

Sustainability

I am asking for your financial pledges in return for some pretty sweet rewards.

The money raised will see me able to purchase a small 2nd hand lpg kiln with all of the associated flue pieces, pyrometer, shelves and props that I need, and to have it transported to me. It will also ensure a weatherproof housing in it's new site. Any funds raised beyond my immediate needs will be invested in setting up my workspace: installing a workbench, kickwheel, shelving, and a power system.

The rewards that I am offering are truly unique functional ceramic objects, handmade by me. You can select to receive either currently existing pieces (lucky dip style, based on the $ value of your pledge), pretty much straight away, or you can pledge to receive NEW work that will come from my new studio & kiln, that you have helped me to achieve!! If you choose this option you will have to wait a little while, but you will also be able to select your pieces from photographs prior to me sending them out. I will be offering those pieces before the end of 2014.

Here are some examples of what you might get for specific pledges:

A $50 pledge will get you small works like this:

Condiment servers


Tiny lidded jars

An $80 pledge will get you a slightly larger piece like one of these:

Stem vases


Set of unglazed honey paddles

For $120, your lucky dip might look something like this:

Coiled bottles on stands


Tiny simple teapot


Large slab vessel

Choosing a $250 lucky dip will get you a fully functional, sculptural teapot, every single one hand made and unique, each with its own personality, something like one of these:

It is always challenging undertaking projects such as this on Aotea (Great Barrier Island). There are no mains services at all, and everything manufactured has to be freighted to the island. The ability to freight goods is affected by the weather, available space, and the nature of the goods. Once here, the roads are narrow and windy, and many are still metal. Since moving here 4 years ago, I have learnt a lot about the logistics of living, and running projects, here.

Fortunately the local community holds a raft of skills, experience, and useful tools. My lovely friend Chris Wilks, whom I live with, and who is responsible for the awesome garden in which I will 'site my fire', has great building knowledge and a good tool kit. Manuka is an extraordinary metalworker who spends most of his time on-island, and he has the capacity to help me install flues, and carry out any repairs to the metal structure that might be necessary.

The plan optimises the chances that, once I achieve the funding I need, the whole process is smooth, and fairly quick. However, there is something that is known as 'island time', and due to the reliance on others, and, more pertinently, elements beyond one's control (like the weather), it will be best to exercise the patience I have learned as a potter!