Village Squire, 1976-02, Page 14The Targe bowl is nearly finished.
(A set of teapot, cream and sugar bowls sells for $31.50 and
coffee mugs at $4.25 in the studio's shop).
His work is already recognized as a good seller. When he
operated a workshop in Paris, Ontario before moving to Blyth in
December to build a new studio, his work was retailed in Toronto,
Edmonton, Montreal and Vancouver through CARA 'shops. -
In the future he's hoping to be able to produce whole place
settings in his studio including plates. These can be produced on
his present equipment, he says, but not to the standards he
wants. So plates will not be a part of the line he sells until he can
get new equipment. To be good, he says, plates should be
completely uniform so they stack properly. Plates also need
special care in drying or they will warp.
Karen gets involved in the work of the studio too. She weaves
macrame holders for the hanging flower pots and macrame wall
hangings. She also makes ash trays and has experimented with
throwing pots herself.
The couple moved from Paris because of the high cost of living
and doing business there. A one -bedroom apartment was costing
S150 a month and Michael had to pay another $100 a month for a
run-down space for a workshop. They bought a small cottage in
Blyth (the first issues of Village Squire magazine were produced
in the living room of the same house) and added an addition
almost as big as the house to give space for the pottery workshop,
kilns and retail area. They had hoped to be open by Christmas but
construction delays prevented it.
He's looking forward to village life, he says, and being able to
get out in the country. If you're selfemployed, he says, you have
to be able to get away by yourself and reflect on where you're
going in your work. He's a very philosophical man given to deep
thought on many subjects. He sees life divided into three
sections, for instance: the years until about 20 when a person is
sucking up knowledge, the years from about 20-25 when he
consolidates knowledge and the years after 25 when that
knowledge is put to use with some degree of confidence. He's
entering the third phase.
Though his main aim and love is pottery, he's far reaching
12, VILLAGE SQUIRE/FEBRUARY 1976
THIS WINTER
I WILL...
❑ SKI
❑ SKATE
❑ TOBOGGAN
❑ SNOW SHOE
7 CROSS COUNTRY SKI
❑ ALL OF ABOVE
paanaparnnn�
Fitness. In your heart you know it's right.
PREVENT FOREST FIRES A t