LUCY SMITH CERAMIC GARDEN SCULPTURE

What are they made from?

I use a Stoneware clay from the Stoke on Trent area called "Crank". This allows me to build large pieces and also to fire to the high temperatures that are required for ceramics that will be outside all year round. A layer of glaze is applied creating the vibrant colours.

I fire the pieces to temperatures that are in excess of 1200'C. This vitrifies the clay making it totally non-absorbant and therefore frost-proof.

However as with any water feature you should avoid water freezing in a bowl (where the water is contained), so I recomend that the feature be emptied of water during the very cold winter months and protected in some way, maybe a piece of sacking . There should be no reason for the ceramics to be brought inside, unless you choose to

All my work uses water that self-circulates. There is no outside plumbing required. The bowls are all sealed and the pumps are all sitting in the water . In the case of the Circular Bowls the pump is hidden under a ceramic pump cover. The pump for the Wall Bowls simply sits at the bottom of the bowl. The pump for the Balls is sitting in the reservoir of water, usually a pebble pool. The water is pumped from the bottom of the pebble pool up the pipe work to the top of the ball where it rolls back round the ball into the pebble pool. The beauty of this is that it creates a very simple feature to set up and also makes for a very child safe use of water in the garden.

Yes! Any of the glazes or colours can be used on any of the pieces. All you need to do is choose which glaze will work best with your garden's planting, foliage or hard materials - such as the brick or paving - and then let me know. If you don't see the glaze you require I will happily try to find the perfect glaze for you.

Installing my work is not hard and can usually be done by yourself, in somecases with the help of one other. I will supply detailed instructions with each piece.

The pump will need to be plugged in to an outside electrical socket, unless you are able to feed the cable back indoors, therefore you will need a fully qualified electrician to carry out this work.

Because I handbuild every order individually I need a minimum of 6 weeks, and for the very large pieces 12 weeks. At the height of the season, between late May and August my order time can rise to 20 weeks!

I would be delighted to take orders for special commisions.

It is usual that I do a site visit, unless distance prohibits. In this case I can work from photographs. I will then produce a series of drawn ideas which we can discuss and make the right choice.

If you would like to see some of the work I have done as one off pieces please click on "Commissions" button.

All of the work can be delivered to you. I make sure they are carefully packed and that they will reach you safely. They can also be sent overseas.

The cost of delivery varies. Please contact me for further information

You are very welcome to visit me at my studio in east London. You will be able to see the working process and the kiln that I fire. If you wish to visit, please contact me to arrange a visit beforehand.