My functional ceramics will be on display in our garden gazebo and in the pottery. All my work, plates, bowls, dishes can be used on a daily basis. I use a groggy stoneware and a white glaze. I apply simple surface decoration with a roller and comb on some of my work. Fruit bowls, trays and many other pieces have akebia quinata vine handles or a loop. Akebia is a lovely natural material. I soak it for a couple of days to make it pliable. Everything is oven and dishwasher proof apart from the work with akebia vine. Food is for me more important than the dish or plate it is sitting on. Colourful salads or vegetables stand out well against the white ceramic. Add a simple linen tablecloth, some flowers and candles and you’re sorted!
Visitors are welcome to wander around the garden. We have worked hard on the garden last summer to create a drought tolerant garden. I am a great fan of Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf. Many of his favourite drought resistant plants are now in our garden. Feel free to go into the hydroponic greenhouse. Husband John is always very happy to talk hydroponics with anyone who is interested in this way of growing veg. Children are very welcome and might like to go on the swings or down the slide.
I am a Dutch potter, working from my garden studio in Culham, near Abingdon. I make functional stoneware, pots, plates, bowls which can be used on a daily basis. Everything is thrown on the wheel and each piece is unique.
I was born in Holland and came to the UK to study at the Guildhall School of Music and work as a translator. I have worked most of my life in music, playing and teaching violin and viola. I started the pottery after our youngest son left home to go to university. What was meant to be a hobby rapidly turned into a business.
Since setting up the pottery I have sold my work in the UK, Europe, the USA and Canada. I have sold through Daylesford (Cotswolds, Pimlico, Notting Hill), David Mellor, Liberty’s, Fortnum and Mason and many other outlets. In 2011 I was on the Elle Decoration Hot List of the New, the Classic and the Collectable. My work has gone to individuals and businesses in this country and abroad. I have taken part in exhibitions in London, Oxfordshire and Istanbul. I now only sell from the pottery and online.
I love being able to create usable objects from lumps of clay. I am passionate about working on the wheel, it's like magic! Pots are fired to 1230 degrees in an electric kiln. Decoration is limited to combing or using patterned, ceramic rollers on the clay. I use a white glaze made for me in Ireland. Since visiting a number of potters in Japan I like to incorporate akebia vine, imported from Japan, in my work. A gorgeous, natural material. I glaze my work using a vacuum glazing system designer by my inventor husband. It is totally brilliant and makes glazing very easy, especially large pieces. There are some videos showing this system on Youtube. Please get in touch if you have any questions!