The idea of the workshop was to aloud children to experiment with face expressions and translate the images to a mask on a ceramic tile.
The magic is done by them and their creativity, the masks are as original as their author. Love them all!

Thank you for taking part on it and to the Sideshow for organizing it. 

Katie Fotis the Sideshow curator at Blackhorse Workshop wanted to have an interactive exhibition called Makers Movements and I was thrilled to be invited. There is something almost irresistible about masks, you want to put them on and experience the possibility of being someone else or even as disguise. 

Masks have been used by our ancestors for centuries to impersonate or represent others in the theatre, festivals and ceremonies. I am inspired by the Native American Cultures, African Tribes and our urban culture were beards, tattoos and big earrings are normal way to be distinctive.

Even though ceramic is something fragile I took my chances and we came out with the idea of having a Hall of Masks that you can stand behind and take pictures for your social media, sharing it with the world.
Come and find the one that suits you and represents you better, take a picture and share it with the word.

Remember to #
@sylvaceramics
@blackhorsews
#ManyFaces

If you are interested to purchase my masks please send me an email at [email protected]. Prices start at £250 each.

Be Magnificent! Was the consignment for this year Garden Party located in Lloyd Park and organised by Barbican, Walthamstow Council and Create London.

The idea behind the phrase is to inspire us showcasing very important artists graduated from Walthamstow College so we can do our best too. I choose Celia Birtwell because I enjoy her designs very much, especially The Besties design for wallpaper. She is a woman who had managed to get known and appreciated for her work, she is a fighter and believes in herself.

The aim of my Ceramic Workshop was to create a small dish out of clay learning a very simple hand built technique and decorate it using a pattern just like you do when you design a wallpaper or fabric. Two hundred and fifty people attended my workshop, people were very excited and appreciative of the way we conducted the learning process and proud with what they took home.

What did I learned?
I learned how to organised a workshop for 300 people, not an easy job believe me.
I learned that help is there when you ask for it with kind and generous attitude.
I learned people are very empathic.

Like all the wonderful things in life I didn't do it alone , thank you to my volunteers: Anna, Claudia, Olivia, Kay, Sophia and Sue.

Thank you to all who came and took part!
Here are your words:

"Everyone was so positive, there was no "wrong" thank you all very much"
Julia

"Very relaxing and the lady was very helpful in showing us how to do it"
Cath

"Brilliant workshop with very clear, step by step instructions. I would definitely up for doing another one"

"My daughter really enjoyed rolling out the clay. Great craft activity and great guidance"
Natalie

I am very thankful for the experience of having this wonderful group of mums and babies for yesterday's workshop. They proudly finished their wall Mobil for their baby rooms and had a great time chatting along with other mums. Thank you to Head and Hands for hosting it and to Birch and Star for having us all.

"Easy process to get your head around and do. Good example product. Relaxed environment + small setting I think went well. Been able to take a finish product home I think is a great idea"
Laura

"Been able to make something and chat at the same time"
Siobhan

"Something creative to do with other mums. Lovely materials and a nice relaxed environment. My mobile is lovely! Thank you!"
Johanna

Great teacher, excellent materials to work with. Others around to help me with the baby whis was much appreciated! Thank you for the refreshments too"
Rachel

A PINCHpot is the name given to a container that has been done by pinching and turning a ball of clay. I personally love this technique because our ancestors use to create all type of containers using clay and their hands only.
In the 4 hour workshop you will design and create a ceramic pot for cactus or succulent plant. This handbuild technique will teach you how to sculpt, carve, decorate and imprint clay using a variety of materials and tools.
2 x Monday Evenings
20th & 27th of March
7pm - 9pm
Level: Beginner
Price: £60 + booking fee

Process:
Make the pinch pot out of clay and decorate it.
Pots will be fired and glazed in my workshop in a two week process.
Once ready, they will be available for collection within a fortnight from Blackhorse Workshop.

Clay, one cactus and all decorative materials will be provided.
Light refreshments included.
Air dry clay can be purchase to take away in case you want to practice at home.

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Haven't you imagined or seen creatures on old carpets and stained walls?
...on the clouds?
...in your dreams?

I have been wanting to show this creatures for more than a year and it took me more than six month to manage it. My ceramics creatures are mounted on recycled floor boards collected around Walthamstow. The ceramic pieces are texturised, decorated with oxides and stoneware fired.
All creatures need a space or an environment where to live, so mine are living in Ink Drawn on paper Savanna.

All the wood work has been made in The Blackhorse Workshop. Enrique Melin constructed the creature cases from recycled wood, he has the most brilliant ideas of how to reuse unwanted materials; well that is not uncommon these days, but what is truly distinct is his kindness, patience and sense of humor. 

My creatures are exhibited at the Wood Street Coffee where Gareth Reid prepares Very Good Coffee! and my favourite, Black beens on toast with an egg on top, very South American!

Now that we know the creatures location set a day and come and visit. If you want to see more about the creature click here

Pagan traditions recognised the fish as a feminine symbol of fertility and an attribute of the Goddess. Water is a natural emblem of the flow of the Divine Mother principal, and as such, all creatures of the water (including fish) are aspects of the fertility and power of the female deity. In Norse and ancient European cultures, the fish had symbolic meanings of adaptability, determination, and the flow of life.

I do ceramic fishes to embraise those attributes and make them actively part of my life.
https://www.facebook.com/EspondilusArtBooks
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My grand aunt Antonieta used to have a ring dish on her night table and when I was staying for sleep over I used to try her rings. As a little girl I liked how the rings where shinning on her fingers so I did wonder if they were looking nice on me just as they were on her fingers. They were always too big but now at least I have one and every time I were it reminds me of my aunt. 
Antonieta was also a creator, she was one of those fabulous woman that new how to knit, stitch, do embroidery and pastries. She was always creating, weekends at her house was like been in a factory of wonders. Tia Antonieta inspired my dishes, I like to think that they will keep meaningful objects or memories for you in a save place. 

The photos that I am sharing are a courtesy from Sonia, one of my customers, aren't they lovely? Thank you Sonia for sharing your collection of small dishes, they are really beautiful and I am proud to be part of it.