We visited Charlotte at her beautiful pottery studio in Berkshire and asked a few short questions for you to get to know her better.
What's the first thing you do when you step into the studio?
I always check the kilns first. We fire them overnight and this opening can make or break my day. Normally we are good and happy and everything is beautiful! However this is the part of the process that is least controlled for me as the kilns can go wrong during the firings sometimes. I do find it the most exciting part of the process though!
What does a typical day at the wheel look like for you?
I like to make pieces in batches of around 30 items and have some variation of making to my day. We have products that are popular and we will make weekly, like oil pourers, mugs, salt cellars and butter dishes. We also then have different products like Pott pots! I will make about 150 pieces a day but I also load the kilns and manage my team of makers.
What's one tool or ritual you can’t make without?
A throwing guage is my most important tool. This is a pointer that sits behind me wheel and I can adjust to the size of the piece I’m making. Along with measuring the weight of the clay and practice, this helps me make the forms the same everytime :)
Where do you find inspiration for your pots?
Our glaze ranges are inspired by the landscape around us. Some range examples are: Mountains, Dunes, Sandstorm and Bamboo. The colours are really what connects the pieces to the landscapes for me.
What's the best part of being a potter?
Building a community of people who love pottery through the studio I’ve created. This community is filled with my team, customers, workshop students, studio members and social media following. The power of clay has connected us all and I find it so cool to be at the head of that community.
What's a scent that always reminds you of home (or the studio)?
Our studio is on a farm so any fresh summery scent is absolutely what I’m drawn to. We love it when the crops are being cut and the horses ride past. There is just plenty of fresh air out here and I love it.
