Suppliers
- Valentine Clays
http://www.valentineclays.co.uk/
Valentine Clays supply the three porcelains I’ve tested so far: Special Porcelain, P2 Porcelain and Glacier. Glacier is a Scarva Earthstone Clay, which I think is produced in Ireland. I don’t actually deal with Valentine’s directly. I go through Alisdair Kettles, who is an agent – he buys in clay from Valentines and delivers it to my studio in Glasgow. This is handy, as I don’t have a car, so am unable to get clay myself. There is also a bit of a shortage of ceramics stores in Glasgow or in Scotland for that matter. Everybody here seems to order over the internet or from catalogs. I miss being able to go into a store and browse.
Business Cards
I found out about this company from the other studio holders at the Glasgow Ceramics Studio, just about all of whom have their cards made up by them.
Not long ago I ordered 500 cards from them and they came to about £20, which included 7 day delivery and a colour image I uploaded myself, on one side of the card. I think it can be cheaper if you use one of their free designs and standard postage – that way you just pay for the postage. They have a number of templates you can alter with your own details and I found the process quite easy.
My cards did not arrive within 7 days, but I think that was an exception rather than the rule, as my flat mate’s did. When I called up the company to ask them about it, they compensated me with a voucher to the amount I had spent on the order, so I was able to order the same cards again for no cost. When I spoke to them, there was a polite American lady on the line, so I think the company is based in the USA, but the cards came through Royal Mail, so I think they must have printing facilities in the UK.
I still might have an email from them, with a 25% off voucher. If you want me to forward that on to you, you will find my email address on the contact me page on this website.
I have also met several people at fairs who get these nice little narrow cards made up through flickr, although I haven’t tried this myself.
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Updated Sunday10th August 2008