Working pottery welcomes visitors to Christmas show, warmed by a wood stove with seasonal refreshments.

“HERE the senses are all awakened – the smooth touch of the tin glaze, the ungainly mass of clay yet to be formed... the glint from the lustreware flickering like inner flame , the beautiful calligraphic brush work combining word and image.” Eva Lockett, Oxford

Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Hewins Wood Pottery Christmas show throughout December. Visitors can see a working pottery, warmed by a wood stove with seasonal refreshments.

Two other artists will join potter Andrew Hazelden at his Bradfield showroom.

Painter and printmaker Jane Somner is an exhibiting member of the Reading Guild of Artists and her studio is based in Calcot, near Reading.

“The showroom at the pottery is a lovely place where Andrew showcases his stunning ceramics and I am delighted to share this space in which to exhibit my paintings.”

She will be showing her delicate watercolour paintings and mono prints inspired by the natural world, from domestic still life to details in the landscape.

The tones in her work complement the tin glaze pottery colours.

Pictured, above, the still life picture of fruit includes one of Andrew’s decorative maiolica bowls.

The pottery is decorated with Christmas wreaths which can be purchased. The harmonious designs by Stanford Dingley maker Jane Body are carefully sourced and created from all natural material, some gathered from the farm in the next village where she runs her wreath making workshops.

Both Jane and Andrew incorporate ancient traditions in their craft. “Wreaths of course go far back to ancient Greece and beyond,” said Jane .

She brings the old custom of decorating with evergreen to bring the living green indoors to last till spring’s new growth – Jane’s wreaths will last all season long.

Andrew’s collectable lustreware, is rather special, using silver and copper pigments to create an iridescent surface. He has become a leading expert nationally in this technique which originates in 9th-century Persia.

The next glaze firing at the pottery will be after Christmas when Andrew continues to work on his inscribed commissions and the longer process of lustreware.

The show previews on Saturday, November 30, open 11am-5pm

It then runs from Monday, December 2, until Saturday, December 21 (1pm-5pm, closed Sundays).

Further information about the Pottery at Hewins Wood Farm at www.andrewhazelden.co.uk