The Makers #1: Pottery

Squeeze another mug into the cupboard

Porcelain hanging planter by Sejal Ceramics

Welcome!

Thank you for subscribing to The Makers, and welcome to the first edition. If you don’t know me - I’m Deepa - jewellery designer at Mela Jewellery and lover of handmade!

This newsletter, each focusing on a particular craft, is where you’ll find that handmade piece you’ve been searching for. Dedicated to brilliantly talented people and the wonderful pieces they make. Everything is made and sold by the maker themselves.

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Before I start, a note on the Black Lives Matter and anti-racism movement. Each edition of this newsletter will feature black creators prominently, and other minorities, because we are vastly under represented in the handmade sector.

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Pottery

On to pottery! A craft that I absolutely marvel in - turning a lump of clay into a mug or a plate is an incredible talent. Making it durable, functional and gorgeous is a whole new level of achievement in itself.

I have a personal connection to pottery too, the Mistry caste in Gujarat are known for making clay pots, some are known as matla pots, for cooking with or carrying water. When I visited India for the first time in 2013 we went to my family’s village and visited a potter’s workshop. The pots big and small were piled up all around the workshop, and I was even able to take one home with me which I still proudly display on my mantelpiece.

To see how Gujarati pottery is made, watch this beautiful film about the Kumbharwada potters of Gujarat.

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Handpicked ceramics

Line Clay Trinket Dish by Afton by Palm

Turquoise Milk Jug by Beci Callow

Sea Storm Plates by Bisila Noha

Rabbit ceramic yarn bowl by Little Wren Pottery

Mustard Ombre Mug by Claire Folkes Ceramics

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Get stuck in: further reading

V&A: The A to Z of Ceramics

Book: The Porcelain Thief by Huan Hsu

Make a pottery dish without fancy tools!

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Thanks so much for reading! I’d love it if you shared this newsletter with your friends, so we can all support makers. For updates you can follow me on Instagram too.

Deepa x