DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

designer spotlight designer spotlight

Above Oil burner, £40

Right Mugs, £40 each Support independent businesses and meet the creatives making waves in the interiors world. This month, we’re talking carefully-crafted ceramics to make everyday life that little bit more special

HOLLIE COOPER CERAMICS

There’s something instinctively more mindful about drinking tea or coffee from a mug that’s been handcrafted. You can feel the subtle dips and grooves from its turn on the pottery wheel – a tactile reminder of the time and skill that’s gone into the process. Likewise, arranging flowers in a vase that’s etched underneath with the initials of the maker is a small extra detail that matters.

It’s this connection with a product’s origins that makes purchasing from a small business or independent artisan so much more special than your average high-street homeware buy – especially for ceramics, where something’s literally been shaped by the hands of someone extremely talented. So this month, we’re highlighting some of our favourite ceramicists crafting the very best pieces for your home – starting with Hollie Cooper, who creates bright and sunny designs that will cheer up your coffee table no end.

QCan you describe your business in a sentence? A I specialise in creating contemporary ceramic homewares that are both functional and decorative.

QHow did you get to the point of having your own business?

AMy love for ceramics was found during college and developed while at university. I often attended craft fairs and events with my wares and created a branding and social media platform. Starting my own business felt like a natural path for me as I graduated, and with the help of business support, a grant, and my crowdfunding campaign, I got the necessary start-up equipment. Since settling into my home-town studio, I updated my branding to suit how work has adapted since leaving education and I now offer workshops.

QWhat’s your favourite thing about what you do?

AHaving the creative freedom to develop my own projects. I love to express myself, my moods and my love for maximalist décor through ceramics. As a very tactile person, the finished result of a piece after hours, sometimes even weeks, of physical exertion is a feeling of achievement.

QWhat has been your proudest moment – or moments – so far?

ASince accepting wholesale orders, I’ve been very proud of the number of businesses ordering large quantities of items to stock in their stores. Through doing independent market events, I’ve had a great response to my pieces and have loved seeing the physical reactions of people viewing the items on display.

QIf you had to pick one piece, which would be your favourite?

AI love the creative process of creating my mugs and the satisfying feeling of being able to drink from them. I have variations of patterns and colours, which means I can make them all different from each other. I especially love working on custom orders, and just recently made a larger size for a coffee enthusiast with a bespoke pattern.

Loop vase, £50

QAnything else we need to know?

AAfter my studio launch event, I’m now holding group and private workshops, including one-to-one wheel throwing sessions and hand building. I’ll be hosting monthly events, which can be booked through my website. The more the merrier, so bring a friend and use STUDIOPAL10 for a 10 per cent discount on two tickets or more! My workshops are wheelchair friendly, relaxed and accessible for beginners.

Follow Hollie @holliecooperceramics and shop her ceramics at holliecooperceramics.co.uk

Mini Vessel #1, £30

Crafted by hand

Meet two more makers creating beautiful objects from the pottery wheel CARLA SEALEY, NAKED CLAY CERAMICS

@nakedclayceramics ‘We handmake quiet, tactile stoneware and porcelain homeware for caring, sharing, grounding and connecting,’ says Carla. ‘I started as a geologist and chemist. A storm of personal, domestic and work crises within the space of 18 months left me thinking about what I really wanted in life. I sold my house, left my job, went back to university to do an art degree and became a self-employed designer maker. It’s rewarding to be able to make decisions about how I spend my time and to feel I’ve done something that makes a positive contribution to the world. And I’m also honoured to be included in the touring exhibition “The Black Artisans”.’ nakedclayceramics.com

Wide bowl, £42; mug, £40; dinner plate, £28

LUCY BROMILOW, WOLIMORB CERAMICS

@wolimorb.ceramics ‘My business is me in pottery form; I love stripes, blue and tea,’ says Lucy. ‘I’d dropped out of uni (where I had started teaching myself pottery) because I wasn’t enjoying it. In the summer that followed I bought a wheel and threw most days for about three months. I posted lots on Instagram and people started asking if they could buy it, so I said yes and it went on from there. My favourite thing about what I do is being able to turn a lump of clay into something that can be used and loved for years to come. I love all of the feedback and lovely comments I get from my customers. It makes me proud to know they use something, sometimes everyday, that I spent time and care making,’ wolimorb.com

Bud vase, £22; Molly, Olive and Daphne mugs, £30 each