2026 – Taking part in Potfest South East – Glynde Place and Potfest in the Pens Penrith – Autumn

I make a range of handbuilt decorative ceramics and wheel thrown porcelain pieces which provide a canvas for exploring alternative firing techniques.

I am drawn to objects in nature which seem to be natural containers or vessels and their protective qualities. Seedheads, pods, shells, nuts, fruits, berries, things collected or photographed while walking in the beautiful Essex countryside surrounding my home. These are all starting points for my work. I never begin knowing exactly how each piece will turn out, more an idea which will instinctively grow and be guided into its own form using the process of coiling, sometimes with wheel thrown elements.

I then like to create surfaces to each piece which are tactile, smooth to the touch that have a softness to them. This is achieved by burnishing with a spoon, compressing the surface of the clay when it is leather hard to create a glossy sheen.

To retain this shine I low fire in an electric kiln. The work is then sawdust or saggar fired with wood shavings, hay and other materials collected from my walks such as seaweed from the coast, foliage, feathers.

The exciting thing for me at this stage is the unexpectedness of the results and the way that the fire is seemingly captured onto the surface. No two pieces will be the same.

www.katemayoceramics.co.uk