About Us
Welcome to Thistledown Pottery
Thistledown Pottery is a small artisan pottery company based in Bedfordshire. If small is beautiful, my studio is absolutely gorgeous and perfectly formed.
Above all, this the beating heart of our my small business, a hub for my creativity and it has everything needed to create unique pottery.
The aim of my business is to create small batch, high quality ceramics which are useful, beautiful and reusable.
Our Story
I first tried pottery at school, I loved it. Looking back, perhaps I should have accepted the place at art school that I was offered, or followed a more creative path from the beginning. Instead, I chose a corporate career and kept my creative spirit alive through painting, crafting, and making in my spare time.
Many years later, I signed up for a weekend pottery throwing workshop at my local open-access studio. The moment I sat at the wheel, I loved it all over again. What started as a weekend experience quickly became an obsession.
I immersed myself in learning everything I could. I read books, practised endlessly, and absorbed every piece of advice and encouragement from my new pottery friends. Before long, I had bought my own wheel and kiln—and then came even more practice.
Several years on, I am a potter. I create handmade pieces that are sold online, in selected stores, and at a beautiful guest house on the banks of Loch Fyne in Scotland.
Every piece is thoughtfully made with the intention of becoming part of everyday life—objects to be used, loved, and cherished for years to come. My pottery practice continues to grow, guided by a belief in craftsmanship, simplicity, and the joy of making things by hand.
Our Values
We believe in slow, considered making. We use quality materials and traditional techniques and craftmanship to create pieces that are built to last.
Rooted in community
We support local suppliers where possible, share knowledge, and contribute to the creative communities around us.
Sustainability
In a throw away society it is so important to reduce our environmental impact and create pottery which could last a lifetime.
- All the packaging we use is biodegradable/recyclable, occasionally I will recycle packaging from suppliers
- Kiln firings use a significant amount of energy and are expensive to run, which is why we only fire full kilns. Finding a more sustainable power solution is something I'm passionate about. I haven't cracked it yet, but I'm working on it.
- All scrap clay, trimmings, green-ware fails are recycled back into useable clay.
We are continually exploring ways to reduce our environmental impact. Sustainability is a journey, and we're committed to improving every year.
Get in Touch
We would love to hear from you. Visit our Contact Us page to get in touch, I promise you, there are no "bots" here. I am always happy to help and will answer any questions as quickly as possible, the aim is to get back to you within 24 hours if at all possible.