Bone China Flowers
I have been making bone china flowers since May 2004 when I offered to be a volunteer at Coalport China Museum. It was during my final years at University so was after some work experience. On my first day I was taught how to make roses out of fine bone china clay by a lovely lady called Mary who had been a demonstrator at museum for 16 odd years. On day 3 of my practicing making these flowers, 3 visitors to the museum asked me how many years I had been making them! This brought fits of giggles from me and I responded 2 days! It seemed my apprenticeship in china rose flower making was over. However there were many other flowers such as the daffodil, daisy and the carnation which took a bit longer than 2 days to master. But I was a complete natural. I remember just knowing I would be able to make them before I even tried. I had seen it in the Gladstone museum while at Uni.
This voluntary role led led to being offered a job, as very soon Mary decided to retire. I took a job share and did a day a week for a couple of years. Since those days I have kept my hand in as I love the job so much.
I still love demonstrating and look forward to my shifts at the Museum. I find it very therapeutic and rewarding. My love of flower making are what led me to develop my flower people.