Chatting with Sylvia Clayton
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- Last Updated: Thursday, 26 June 2014 20:52
We were pleased to have Sylvia Clayton as our guest here at Mayco this past July. Sylvia spent a few days working with staff artists Marcia Roullard, Bob Moreni and Lisa Culp, reviewing new products, projects and techniques.
Sylvia first took a ceramics class at the urging of a co-worker back in 1977. Her husband was in the military at the time and was transferred to Scotland later that year. He bought her first kiln that first Christmas in Scotland.
As Sylvia developed her skills she went on to open a traditional ceramic studio, which she had for 13 years. As traditional ceramics gave way to the newer business model - PYOP (paint-your-own-pottery) studios Sylvia evolved and opened this type of business - for 5 years.
Sylvia commented on the loss of "fun" as hobbies became businesses. After a while Sylvia reflected upon the aspects of ceramics she loved - and got back to them.
"I like to experiment with glazes - explore combinations and application techniques. I want to know: 'What's next?' "
"But I do recognize the recycling of ideas and techniques - old stand-bys making their return."
Another aspect of ceramics Sylvia enjoys is teaching. She regularly conducts workshops at Potclays in the city of Stoke-on-Trent. She also offers consulting services for PYOP studios (for more information about Sylvia's consulting services visit her website - Click Here).