Well I have a few passions. We have all talked about our banjos and guitars and concertinas and ....
                In my work I have had to make collections of great tools.. While making hutchs for my pottery shop I started gathering molding planes and Stanley multi planes like the #45 and #55 . These tools do make your furnature making look of an older type and using them is just a gas. I like different flat planes for their different uses as well . Jack & smooth planes and spoke shaves are a favorite..
                With years of pottery making inspired by historical pots means I have collected a batch of Earthenware and Stoneware crockery from both the Northeast of America and Wales and England. I very much like "English Slip-ware " such as Panchions Salt Kits and the like. I am a huge fan of Issac Botton who was the potter at Soil Hill pottery nr Halyfax Yorkshire. Also the early pots from Wetheriggs Pottery nr. Penryth and Ewenny Pottery nr Bridgend ( Both shops I worked at or next to in Ewenny's case ) . New England's Pottery: I am always after Hearvey Brook's pots who lived near me . Frederich Carpenter of Boston who was a potter in the late 18th early 19th century in Boston .The same for Dannelle Goodale of Hartfoed from the same era . I like the Salt Glazed decorating from Fort Edwards pottery from the 1860"s to the 1880"s .
                   A friend of mine and I are collection ornamental flowerpots for a show we are doing called " A place To Take Root ' that is traveling the USA for the last two years and is going on to 2007 . We are hoping the show will come to Briton as well . It is showing the eary use of flowerpots for travel and hot house work and how ornament worked its way into horticultural wares.. By the mid 19th century these pots had gotten very onramentel .. Anyway its been a great thing gathering old pots together for this show!! Its at Smith College at the moment after 5 months at the US Botanic garden . Washington .
                   For some reason I have a weakness for 3 speed older English bikes.. and I also collect flags from places that have been part of my life.. I still fly a Red Pendragon at the pottery. Anyone with a Welch background stops in .. great fun .   

                All wonderful fun . great thread . sorry to be so wordy . Yours Guy