Well, what is it gonna be ?!

Well, what is it gonna be ?!

Hi there

Thanks for popping in. Remember the Pottery Competition last week, when I asked you to try and guess what this was gonna be?

We had lots of vases and planters, fruit bowls and all sorts, but nobody could figure it out. So let’s take a closer look, and put it together – one step at a time…

Well, at this point most of you would have been correct! A Vase would have been correct. But no. Barbie had another idea in mind…

What the little cylinder thing? Where are we putting that? Many of you guessed teapots and urns…

Ahhh. A neck! Now it looks like a headless torso! Why the long face Tonto?

Mmm. So now we have what appears to be a man’s torso. At this stage, I was beginning to question what I was making too!

But it’s as I always say: It ain’t over till it’s over, right ?!

Ready for the final clue? I did shed a little light on it on Wednesday actually…

Yep. A Lampbase, a Lampstand! We had a few calls for Lampshade, which I may have to try another time! And finally, after a little nudging, and an invitation to roll again, we had a couple of correct guesses!

Hi Barbara I think that the ceramic template is going to be either a lamp base or a ceramic lamp shade .
It also reminded me of a lamp my mum made when I was a little girl
She made a little lamp from clam shells and she put a light fitting in the middle .
probably would look really naff today but I loved it cos it was made by my late mum
I also remember seeing ash trays made from clam shells 🤢
Take care
Best wishes Jackie

I also picked a couple of random names out of the hat, to receive a little bowl of mine. Thank you so much for wanting one of these!

The winners are:

  • Sheila Williams (who guessed a lampshade early in the game)
  • Jackie from Jackie’s Art Club (story above)
  • Sara Wrightson
  • JackieCou
  • Diane Green
  • Sue Carpenter

Thank you to all who joined in. We’ll have to try this again! I hope the lampbase survives the bisque firing after all this! Certainly been a labour of love thus far!

I shall have a look at my little stash and see what else I can add to the GIFT PILE for next time! Mind you, the stash is growing daily! We’re actually eating out of my porcelain bowls now! They are quite small mind. Porcelain don’t half shrink! Ah well. Portion control and all that…

But where did I get my inspiration for the lampstand? Let me show you the rest of the story…

Very famous German potter. I love his style, so I decided to try and emulate his shapes, and make something functional.

Right. Now. Are you ready for this little nugget? Here‘s a lovely vase by Coper. You can see where I got my inspiration from, right?

Read on…

WHAT????!!!!!!!

Here’s another one….

HOWMUCH?!?!?!??!?!?!!?

YMBFJ!!!!!!

Now I’m no culture slouch, and I do appreciate art, I really do. But when I see a pot – A POT – sold for over 162 THOUSAND dollars, and another for over one hundred and thirty seven THOUSAND POUNDS, I have to ask myself which bus I’m on! Because clearly, the Number 59 Art Bus I’m on doesn’t stop here !!!

So I decided to make a lampstand the same kind of style as Coper, to prove I can, and when it’s finished, I’m going to put it up for sale on our local Facebook page, for £100,000.00. Bargain. And then I shall wait to see how many takers I get. I will even throw in the Ikea Lampshade.

There’s beautiful. And then there’s obscene.

Stay safe, be creative and enjoy art for what it is supposed to be. MAKE SOMETHING

Love always,

Barb xxx

34 thoughts on “Well, what is it gonna be ?!

  1. Would not have thought of that in a million years. Will you have a Buy it now option, I don’t want to be gazumped when I make a bid. Well done all the winners xx

  2. Great pottery. No superb and artistic. Congratulations to those who won. I am disappointed as a piece would have taken pride of place. Will certainly bid for the expensive piece 🤣

  3. Well done winners! Can’t wait to see the finished lamp base (will I have to pay to see it?)
    Love
    Maggie (Bendy Yorkite)
    And…I’m thrilled to bits with my blog winning watercolour items, which arrived today, thank you so much – they are top quality and will be used very often.

  4. Well I’d never have guessed that – please show us the finished piece! Congratulations to all the lucky winners. I might need to call our local pottery as I need a saucer for an enormous cat shaped planter that John’s late dad made.

  5. Nope, never woulda guessed it!! I even cut out similar pieces and tried putting them together -just got a vase or jug!! Congratulations to the winners!

  6. Hi Barbara I’m absolutely made up I won and congratulations to the other winners also made my day when I saw you had picked my little story about my mums little clam shell lamp thank you so much 🙏 I’m sure mum would have been so happy as well xx

  7. Fabulous…!! Love the lamp base & the bowls…!!
    Just wanted to say a huge Thank You to you & all the Clarity team for my birthday card on Friday…it helped make my day special. The Moment of Clari.Tea cups are gorgeous …Love Anne xx

  8. Congratulations to the winners !I never would have guessed how amazing its turning out.
    Perhaps you could open a memory museum /coffee/tea shop in your factory area for all your pottery /shac shac projects ?Us clarity members could buy tickets and do a tour when restrictions are lifted .Would love to see how clarity products are made too .Mind you I’d have to book flights and hotel too .
    Dreaming and looking forward is a good thing while never forgetting the past .Your creativity is brilliant !

  9. Thank you for showing us the finished piece. I was completely flummoxed. Congratulations to all the winners. Have a great evening. Take care. Hugs xxx

  10. Thank you for picking me for a piece of your pottery. I guessed lamp after I re read and saw light and hoped it might be a clue ! I did have various guesses. I must send you a pic of the little dishes I was given for our cats by our friends (she had them years ago when Whiskas did a promotion I think). I love them and I think the cats enjoy eating out of them ! I’ll know where to come if I ever break one!

    Reading about the price of the lamps (who would pay that?!) reminded me of the girl who put her Dad’s £2K bottle of wine in the punch she made for a party (in news today I think I read it). Who’d pay that even for wine? At least when I know we lose our flight costs to Greece in Sept when we don’t go, we paid it ages ago and have forgot about it – hope he feels the same about that bottle of wine ! If he’d drunk it it would have been gone in half an hour!

    I’m waffling. Thanks again for picking me and well done to everyone else. Jackie’s piece about her Mum’s lamp was nice to read. X

  11. I was never going to get its use. After being asked to rethink I was getting construction correct until you come to the rectangle. Was too rigid in my thinking.
    I think the prices the ceramics sold for says more about the buyers than the makers.
    Thank you for the puzzle and prizes. Congratulation to the winners.

  12. Looks a lovely piece. I did try to think what it was as I would have loved to win one of your pieces of pottery. Did think of a shade for an outside lamp, but wasn’t sure how heavy it would be. Congratulations to all the winners. Xxxxx

  13. Hi Barbara
    Goodness I would never have guessed that! Looks like it’s going to be lovely when it’s finished and worth a Bob or two! 😂😂. I’m sure there would be someone who would pay an absolute fortune for it. Thank you for picking me as a winner, how exciting. I’m really looking forward to seeing your pottery. Thank you for choosing me. I love Jackies story. What a lovely memory of your mum Jackie.
    Love Diane xxx

  14. Wow !! What a surprise to see my name in the winners list.
    We had just sat down to eat our evening meal when our daughter phoned – Is Mom there she said – have you read Barbara’s blog tonight. Not yet as it wasn’t on earlier when I looked. Well I think you better have a quick look as she is showing us what she was making last week. I had asked for extra help from her & OH when you gave us another chance to think.
    Look forward to seeing which one I have been so lucky to win & find a suitable place to display it so everyone can enjoy it.
    The lamp base looks fantastic & I agree on your thoughts for the prices on the original inspiration.
    thanks again x

  15. Your lamp base style reminds me of Troika pottery which was made in Cornwall around the 1950s I think. Chunky designs in grey and turquoise sandy textures.
    Very collectible now! Shall be interested to see yours when finished. X

  16. That was not what I was expecting – looking forward to seeing the finished piece after firing. Congratulations to all the winners.
    I think some people have more money than sense. They also probably hide the art away in case it gets smashed – so what’s the point in that. X

  17. Fabulous lamp looking forward to seeing the finished product.

    I was lucky enough to win one of your signed books which arrived today. I’m thrilled and will treasure it.

  18. Wow, would never have got that. Will be terrific when its all glazed with a lamp shade. Know what you mean about those prices…some people have more money then sense .
    I love the stories about a collector took some ‘long lost paintings’ to some experts, and once they had ooohed and arrred over them and quoted prices, only to be told that they had been done by a chimpanzee. Hope for me yet then LOL

  19. Wow! That lamp is looking amazing! Congratulations to the lucky winners of the Barbara Gray pottery classics! I know that you will all take great pleasure from having these unique pieces!
    I received my prize today, thank you so much Barbara and Team Clarity. Love and hugs, Gilly xx

  20. Congratulations to all you lucky winners. Never would have come up with the correct answer. Would love to see the finished piece Barbara am sure it will be amazing.

  21. Hi Barb,
    Well, I would never have guessed that! It looks brilliant and can’t wait to see the finished lamp. Congratulations to all of the lucky winners – I bet you’ll all treasure your prizes. You never know, in years to come they might be worth a fortune!!! Love and hugs,Alison xxxx

  22. Hi Barbara
    Hans Coper is Jackie’s favourite potter. We went to an exhibition of his at the V&A a few years ago I agree that the prices are obscene but the art is amazing.
    Jackie has done a few smaller pieces in similar fashion.
    Love the look of the lamp and IKEA lampshade 🤔🤔🤔
    Love
    Ruth & Jackie xx

  23. Barbara that is so awesome. I thought you were going to use that head I was shocked when it went away I loved him it just goes to show you you never know were someone mind wanders that was a amazing trip thanks for sharing I did not get one of you little cups but I got a pic and I will share you wonderful works like I do with everything you teach you are inspiration

  24. Well done and congratulations to all the winners. Did think a vase but wouldn’t have thought of a lamp. It’s going to be gorgeous. Love all your pots and so great that you are using them now.xxx

  25. Well done to the winners. Put your pots in a safe place for the future. You never know what they will be worth !!!!!
    I would never have guessed.

  26. Hello Barb, you never know just how popular your creations may be become or how valuable. Well done to the winners, I would not have guessed however many times I tried that it was to be a lamp base. Best start saving for when you start selling your artwork Barb. Take care and stay safe everyone. Bx

  27. Congratulations to all the winners. I’m not sure if I am one or not, is there a Sara Wrightson on here please? Fingers crossed it’s a typo as I would be so honoured to own one of your pieces of pottery Barbara.
    Loving the lamp stand, fabulous design, can’t wait to see it finished.
    Stay safe everyone xx

  28. Never saw that coming, Barbara. Beautiful pottery lamp though. Well done to those who did see it and congratulations to all the winners. As to buying pottery at unbelievable prices, as my Mum used to say ” Some folks have more money than sense!”
    I was lucky to receive my “Blog prize” yesterday of your signed book – now that is priceless! Thank you Barbara, I will treasure it.

  29. I didn’t stand a chance in guessing the pottery piece.
    Thank you for my prize which arrived yesterday.

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