Something about me just has a need to make things. It’s always been there, just more un-ignorable at times. This is one of those times.
Ceramics has rapidly become a big part of my life. Within 3 years, it has gone from a lesson that my wife bought for my birthday, to a full time career. So to say I’m a bit obsessed would be a bit of an understatement!
All of my work uses clay that I forage from a local beach within 5 miles of my studio. Once collected, I process the clay using traditional methods and then combine it with commercial clay to make my own bespoke mix.
I also forage materials like granite, quartz, slate and mussel shells from various locations around Wales and the NorthWest. Using a 4 step process, I mill these down to very fine powders which are used to create some of my glazes.
I try, as much as possible, to minimise the impact of my work on the environment. My ceramics are fired in an electric kiln, powered (as much as possible) by solar panels and when the sun isn’t shining, I fire off-peak overnight (when demand on the grid is low) on a 100% green energy tariff. And all of my packaging materials are recyclable and might actually be being re-used when you get them!
I love to have complete control over the making process, so everything is made with my hands – I even make my own glazes from scratch, and develop my own glaze recipes. From raw materials to the time you touch the piece the first time – only my hands will have touched it before!
Handmade is all about seeing the hand of the maker in the piece. So you’ll occasionally see the throwing lines and various other evidence of my work – it’s not mass produced! It’s all part of the piece.
I love being creative, and not just making the same piece over and over again. That time may come but for now I love to play and experiment! That means that every vase and bowl I sell is genuinely a one-off piece. No one else has one like it!
What began as a passtime, became a passion, became a hobby, became a side hustle, and finally became a full time career. In late 2025 I quit the day job to follow my passion for ceramics. It’s already opening up some amazing opportunities – and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!