We’re continuing with our Swanky Supplier Spotlight feature, where we introduce one of our partners and tell you a little more about them. What they do, how they do it and where they take their inspiration from. This week, we’d like to introduce Caroline Green.
Ceramics designer-maker, Caroline Green, is absolutely potty about working with clay and creates elegant hand thrown porcelain home accessories including napkin rings, jugs, bowls, mugs and, our personal favourite, tea light holders.
SM: How did you first become involved with pottery and what led you to start your own business?
CG: I was studying fine art when I visited the pottery studio with a friend. All I wanted to do was paint with the glazes but I had to make something first. That was it, never stopped making since that day! My tutor then convinced me to sell my work and dragged me along to my first event.
SM: Which designer-maker would you say has had the most influence on your work?
CG: Sue Binns Pottery has inspired me with her beautifully simple shapes, especially her tall jugs.
SM: Yes we can see why, they’re really striking designs. So how do you go about coming up with new designs?
CG: An idea will evolve over time. Sometimes I have an idea but have to think about how to make it, then a lot of trial and error before deciding on the final design. I like to put one trial piece in each firing.
SM: Where do you work, what is your work space like?
CG: I work in a large wooden shed in my garden, it is my favourite place. It is very untidy, I can’t bear to waste valuable making time by tidying up. I am totally absorbed when I’m in there, if I could I would move the bed in! At the moment it is so cold, I have clay in the hall so it doesn’t freeze, clay recycling in the bathroom and pots drying in the bedroom.
SM: What would be your perfect home? Where would it be and what would you put in it?
CG: My perfect home would be a small cottage with a large garden, a huge stone workshop and chickens running around. It would be in Dorset/Devon, a garden full of flowers and a very casual interior, lots of squidgy sofas and everything handmade.
SM: What is your favourite product from your collection?
CG: My favourite is the petite handmade jug with a flower on the side. Small and simple. Although I do also really like the parian clay tealight holders. The clay really does do all the talking.
SM: Putting you on the spot, what is your favourite Swanky Maison product, other than from your collection and why?
CG: Charlotte Macey’s designer cushions. I love the simplicity of them with the very simple line drawings, gorgeous.
SM: Finally, what do you have in store for us in the future, are you working on any new designs or products our readers might be interested in?
CG: I am designing some new candle lanterns which will be larger than the tea light holders but still in the parian porcelain and a range of serving bowls.
SM: Thanks Caroline, we know you’re very modest so thank you for letting us into your world for while.
Tags: Caroline Green Pottery, Charlotte Macey Designer Cushion, Handmade Jugs, Handmade Mugs, Handmade Porcelain Bowl, Handmade Porecelain, Porcelain Tea light