Are you Awesome?

I'm getting a lot of commissions for these personalised plates - they seem to meet a demand for a 'special present' which is also 'something a bit different'.  This one I just made is for a 70th birthday and it pretty much speaks for itself.

I have never met the 'Robin' in question, but when my 18year old saw me making this, he remarked,   "Wow ... Robin sounds awesome!"  Obviously, in the eyes of an 18 year old, Robin at 70 should have one foot in the grave, rather than both feet on skis, the golf course or the tennis court!

Making the tennis racket was easier than you might imagine.  Over the years I have collected all sorts of bits and bobs for my clay tool box.  Below you can see the oval shape of an old yoghurt pot which cut out the racket head, an old tube for the tennis ball and a strip of some sort of matting/baking sheet thing from the pound shop, which made the strings.  See - easy!

For the golf clubs, I just drew them onto clay and cut round with a knife.  Then simply position the motif onto the plate, and smooth the edges with a wet paint brush.

Apply a few details and always have in mind how you might glaze it when it re-appears from the kiln. A sewing thread spool was impressed into the wheel to make the detail there.

But not being quite as awesome as Robin, I know nothing of skiing (or golf or tennis either!) and so I unfortunately gave the poor chap only one skiing-stick-thingy-whatever they're called.  Does that mean he will ski in circles forever, like when you lose an oar in a rowing boat?

In order to be this awesome at 70, I think I shall have to start being more active NOW!  And I really will .... once Spring comes back again.  I knew I spoke too soon in my last post!!

Are you really sporty and active for your age?  I bet you're all seriously awesome!

x Cathy