C E R A M I C S
ABOUT ME
Karen with one of her finished pit fired pieces at the Raku Regatta in June 2025.
My love for ceramics began long before I ever touched clay. As a child, I spent hours wandering through London’s prestigious museums, captivated by the beautiful collections at places like the Victoria & Albert Museum and the British Museum. The diversity of shapes, colours, and styles sparked my imagination, allowing me to travel through history without leaving the gallery floor. Pottery — one of humanity’s oldest art forms — fascinated me from the start.
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Years later, it was the first series of The Great Pottery Throwdown that nudged me from admiration into action. Having never had the chance to work with clay at school, I signed up for an evening class at my local Adult Education Centre. From the very first session, I was hooked. One class became many, and before long, I’d outgrown the limitations of a shared studio space. I invested in my first kiln, set up a small home studio… and then another… and another. My “small hobby” has now taken over three sheds, the cupboard under the stairs, and even the dining room!
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Over time, I’ve fallen in love with alternative firing techniques that create unique, unpredictable finishes. Pit and barrel firing, obvara, and milk firing all offer an element of alchemy that I find fascinating — the way flame, smoke, and natural materials interact with clay to leave behind one-of-a-kind patterns and surfaces. Each firing feels like a collaboration with the elements, and I never stop being surprised by the results.
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Pottery can be an expensive passion, so I began selling some of my creations to help fund my ongoing experiments. I’m still exploring, still learning, and still happily undecided on a “signature style.” I love playing with organic forms, varied textures, and unexpected designs — letting each piece evolve naturally rather than forcing it into perfection.
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This year marks an exciting new chapter as I begin a dedicated ceramics course, diving deeper into techniques and pushing myself creatively. I can’t wait to see where this next stage takes me and how it shapes the work I create.
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When I’m not elbows-deep in clay, I’m a proud mum to two wonderful boys and work full-time as a Manager for a local older person’s charity. Pottery is my escape, my passion, and my way of connecting with a timeless craft — and I’m thrilled to be able to share it with you.
