A bit about me…

The fam... 

A year into being 50, married, two teenage daughters and a giddy 2 year old Jack Russell, called Ruby.

Likes... 

Scones with butter, jam and cream (in that order). Going for a walk. Saying hello to birds, spiders, butterflies... any creature really. Car boot sales, I love a bargain. Pottering, as well as pottery. Doing something spontaneous. Feeling inspired. Taking a nap (especially next to Ruby).

Dislikes... 

Noisy, busy places. Rules. Ignorance. Injustice. Small talk. Having my photo taken (hence, nap photo). Bananas.  

Previous life... 

I worked with young people for about 20 years. 

Life changes... 

Having kids was the change for me, I was an older mum and I decided to stay at home while they were little. To have a little ‘me’ time, I took a few basic pottery classes. I really did not have a clue what I was doing, but I really enjoyed it. 

A few years later all my time was taken up helping to look after my mam who was ill with cancer and then dementia. It was a difficult time. I really wanted to go to more pottery sessions, but I didn’t have any free time with caring for her and looking after the kids. I just always thought about pottery and thought one day I’d manage to have another go. I made things with air dried clay at home and also did 25,668 other crafts. 

I’m a bit of a throw myself into things person. I had a chance to buy a small kiln and I went for it. Not only was I inexperienced at pottery, I had no clue whatsoever about firing and glazing. I was really struggling at this point with how ill my mam was and I was exhausted. The kiln sat in our garage for quite a while. I then found a drop in session where I could play with clay. It wasn’t lessons as such, but a chance to make things I wanted, with a couple of lovely and supportive experienced potters on hand if I had any questions. 

As my mam got worse I stopped going to the drop in sessions and finally taught myself how to use my kiln and how to fire. I spent the next few months doing this. My mam died the week we went into lockdown, I threw myself into making to deal with the grief I had and the stress of lockdown. As much as it was a difficult time for everyone, I don’t think I would be where I am now if I didn’t have that time, that space with lockdown to really get into pottery.  The world stopped and I was in a bubble to grieve, immerse myself in making pottery and be with my family. 

When we came out of lockdown I gave away much of the pottery I made, but I also sold a few pieces. I couldn’t believe people would want to buy something I’d made. I liked that and contemplated if to carry on making to sell. I decided to set up an Etsy shop and see how I would get on.  

Now.. 

After selling on Etsy for a while, things have moved on quite a bit. I do this full time, have a bigger kiln (not big enough though!), a very small studio; aka shed and I stock a few lovely shops, stand at a few craft fairs and sell online. It’s not an easy journey, it’s still early days, I’m full of self doubt and I feel I haven’t found my voice in my work quite yet. I work long, long hours, have many failed makes, achy joints, often no sales and no money and it can get lonely. But right now I still love it. I am learning new things all the time. I wake up everyday and want to make pottery. I think about it all the time and even dream about it sometimes. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m humbled by anyone who likes what I make or makes a purchase of their hard earned money to buy something I’ve made with my own hands.  

I’ll keep doing this for as long as I can. 

Having a nap with my fluff ball, Ruby.