Hi Emma. It was lovely to meet you the other evening and see your beautiful ceramics. So, tell me a little bit more about your background...

I grew up in Maidenhead and then lived in London during my time at university at

Central Saint Martins. My creative path took hold when I studied at Henley College for

my A levels, and then went from there on to Chelsea College for my art foundation,

before starting my degree in Ceramic Design.

   I don’t come from a particularly creative background. I remember having a very creative

and hands-on childhood, though. Endless hours of fun on rainy days getting the junk

box and paints out on a mission to make my next creation.

   The first thing I actually made out of clay was a pufferfish when I was in Year 1 – so

about five years old. Needless to say that it bares very little resemblance to an actual pufferfish (picture a brown lumpy paperweight, but with eyeballs), but I can remember that day with such clarity!

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And now you're running your own ceramics business. Tell me about that.

At the end of my degree in 2013, I was surprised to find that I had interest in my work. This rapidly sparked the idea to take the plunge and start my own business. So fairly swiftly, I threw caution to the wind and I turned the old scout hut (aka a glorified garden shed!) at the end of my parents' garden into a studio, and I bought a kiln. I was fortunate that I had the space to start my business from home, keeping overheads low.

   I’ve been in business three and a half years now, and it’s been an incredibly fun but challenging journey. The people I have met along the way have undoubtedly led me to where I am now. I’ve launched my own collections, and worked on a wide variety of bespoke work for various clients. Through my local stockists and word of mouth, I’ve
been lucky enough to collaborate with world-class chefs at the Hinds Head and The Fat Duck producing bespoke tableware. I’ve also worked with jewellers, interior designers, and prestigious schools producing custom products.

   With 2017 here, I’m very excited to spend more time developing my new collection, which is launching in the spring.

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Have you always been interested in doing this? What do you like about it the most?

My love for ceramics began when I took it up as an A level subject at Henley College. My

tutor there was fantastic – it makes the world of difference when a teacher has such a

passion and interest in the subject. It was such a hands on subject, and such a tactile
way to express my creativity. At the age of 16, the thought of running my own ceramic

business probably seemed impossible!

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Did you have to do any business courses?

Upon starting my business, I was lucky to be enrolled on a local mentoring scheme.
I had a business grant, a business mentor, and had a network of like-minded people
who were also starting up their own company. It was a huge motivating factor and really

encouraging to have someone senior to me, who could properly advise me on things
I had little or no knowledge of.

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What is the best part of having your own business? And the worst? 

The best part is by far the personal fulfilment I get out of it. It’s a hugely rewarding thing

to take a step back and see where I’ve got to since starting. However, that’s not to say

that there aren’t struggles…! However, each year I’ve found these to change. I think

getting noticed and managing my time are the things I find most challenging.

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What's the best piece you've ever created? What's your best-seller?

My best piece is probably one of my most recent – the initial mug. I delivered the first

batch to Story in Bray, and they placed another order on the same day! These are

something I am still working on and will launch the full range in the spring.

    Aside from that, I think my best range was the tableware I created for one of Heston

Blumenthal’s restaurants, the Hinds Head, Bray. I’ve been working with them for two

years now. We spend a long time developing the product. Now things are simply made

to order as and when needed. Chefs are very creative thinkers, and it’s been my most

enjoyable range to work on. I think I’m most proud of this work.

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Where do you get your inspiration?

Anywhere and everywhere! A lot of ideas simply come from my past pieces; I like
looking at things in a new way, learning how to improve my designs both visually
and functionally. One of the walls in my studio is one huge mood board – I’m
forever tearing things out from home magazines. It’s my brain food!

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Who is your idol?

Emma Bridgewater is definitely one of them – I really love how she’s helped boost the

pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent. The balance of her designs being decorative and

functional is something I admire. Things that people are proud to have out on display,

yet want to use everyday.

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Have any celebs bought your pieces?

I’ve been commissioned to make pieces for the President of Mexico and also the Mayor

of Beijing. I can’t disclose the names of some clients, but I have worked on pieces for some high-profile families.

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Anything else we don't know about you?

Before I began ceramics, I wanted to be a midwife.

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To view the range of products, visit Emma's site below, or please get in touch to enquire about a bespoke order. 

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmaalingtonceramics/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaalington/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/emmaalington

Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/emmaalington/

Website: http://www.emmaalington.co.uk

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