Dear lovers of autumn and winter,
We’re already in December!
We say goodbye to November and to the autumn season. Winter and the end-of-year festivities are already approaching quickly. But let’s not rush things. Autumn still has some beautiful discoveries in store!
I now invite you to grab a comforting warm drink and dive into this second monthly letter, to discover what has happened in my life as a ceramist and in my world of handcrafted ceramics during this month 11th month of the year
Introducing my very first collection of handcrafted autumn ceramics!
First of all, I had the joy of presenting my first collection of autumn ceramics! This year, it includes 8 handmade pieces — vases, a cup, mugs, and decorative pumpkins and mushrooms. I poured a lot of care into each creation, and I truly hope you like this collection. I also photographed each piece so you can find them on the website. They are currently sold out but will return next season.
Speaking of the website, it also went through a wonderful evolution! The recent migration to a new server allowed me to optimize its SEO. I also refined the visual design and clarified the categories to give you a smoother and faster browsing experience.
The arrival of a new kiln to fire your future ceramics!
The biggest news in November was definitely the arrival of my new kiln, which will be used to fire your future seasonal ceramic pieces! It’s a moment I had been waiting for so long… I chose a Nabertherm kiln, a true reference in the world of ceramic firing. But it’s also quite an investment!
I’ve started testing this new kiln with three firings: the initial break-in firing, then a bisque firing, and finally a glaze firing. I’m slowly getting familiar with this new high-temperature kiln. It is extremely powerful and well insulated. I’ve also discovered that the final temperature tends to rise a bit higher than I’d like — so I’ll need to adjust my programming. This long-dreamed-of tool brings so much joy and magic into my life as a ceramist… I’m amazed by its performance.
To protect it, I also took the time to apply kiln wash to my shelves. A small, meticulous step that keeps the kiln clean and reliable in the long run. I even made a reel to share this tip with you, and I did not expect it to reach 20,000 views already! It was such a personal moment of pride: being so new on Instagram, I truly didn’t expect that many views. I take it as encouragement to continue opening the doors of my studio and sharing the behind-the-scenes of “Sous le Cerisier”.
Autumn colors and magical lights
November was also a month to marvel at the vibrant colors of the season. In the previous letter, I mentioned that autumn was late to arrive in the south of France. Well, we can safely say that it has fully arrived now!
Autumn has been particularly generous this November: stunning contrasts, fiery trees, leaves softly cracking underfoot… This season nourishes my creativity immensely.
During autumn, I also love watching all the lights shimmer in the evening darkness. I’ve kept a true childlike soul, and I adore that moment when the lights in every home turn on, filling the night with warmth and comfort.
Admiring lights during special events is something I also look forward to. During a stay in Peaugres, I had the chance to see a magnificent light festival.
This magical atmosphere truly marks the beginning of the winter season.
I was also charmed by the “Lumières de Montpellier”: a magnificent festival!
The projection show on the Arceaux was particularly hypnotic. It really looked as if the arches were rippling under the effect of the lights. Almost as if they were alive.
I also visited unusual places to nourish my creativity. This November, I discovered the strange and fascinating Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval.
Autumn delights
Another simple but precious moment that I particularly enjoy in November: having a cosy, gluten-free and dairy-free snack in a warm little corner of Montpellier. These gentle breaks completely recharge me.
Before preparing for winter, I also harvested my squashes from the garden.
I can’t wait to cook pumpkin soups and cakes!
Winter is coming...
December has arrived, bringing with it the promise of new winter collections, warm moments, and ideas that are already beginning to take shape in my imagination. Some of you have even seen the first snow! Where I live, snowflakes are extremely rare. But there are other joys I will share with you next time!
Thank you for being here, for following this slowly growing adventure.
Your messages, your feedback, your presence make all the difference.
I wish you a wonderful month of December — gentle, bright, and inspiring.
Looking forward to continuing this journey with you,
Aurélie
Ceramic artist celebrating the seasons
Creator of “Sous le Cerisier”
