After studying ceramic design at Central St Martin’s College of Art, I subsequently worked in education for many years. Now, I have been drawn back to these creative roots.

Based in my garden studio in rural Herefordshire, I produce unique, handmade tableware and decorative items that are predominantly made from stoneware - a clay which can be fired to high temperatures to make it durable and suitable for use at the table. I love the way that certain ceramic pieces can enhance the look and appeal of different dishes and ultimately the experience of eating them. My general design aesthetic is one of rustic simplicity - with a contemporary edge. My tableware aims to reflect this and is intended to be enjoyed as part of, and incorporated into, everyday life and rituals. More recently, I have been taking the opportunity to make more decorative, one-off items and enjoying the creative freedom this allows.

Each item is made using a variety of hand-building methods, for example, coiling, slabbing and pinching. As such, characterful variations occur between pieces as a result of natural irregularities in the clay and subtle differences in construction from item to item. These processes can add a very human element, perhaps dimples left by fingertips pressed into the clay or the irregularities of form that will inevitably arise.

My palette consists mainly of earthy, natural tones or simple neutrals. I often choose to leave areas of exposed, unglazed clay to highlight the inherent qualities of the clay which are then usually sanded down to make them pleasing to the touch. The glazes I use are made mainly to my own recipes and are applied using a variety of techniques and in different combinations, to enhance the individuality of each piece.