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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
