The Potter of Leith, catches up with us to discuss their journey from redunancy to crowdfunding and beyond.

Introduce us to you and your brand!

We produce quality, reduction fired, functional stoneware. The workshop in Leith was entirely furbished using reclaimed wood and fittings including pallets and abandoned bed bases. Many of our glazes are based on wood ash, which is gathered from wood burners, commercial pizza ovens, the oil drum fires at The Pitt Street Market and the burning of scrap wood from local trades. We also use unique, copper based glazes, producing a range of reds and lilacs only possible at high temperature in reduction firing.

How has your brand/work developed since you began? 

We have developed a comprehensive range of functional table ware including our flagship ramen bowls and our "cut out the plastic!" soap dishes, along with butter bells, milk jugs, salad bowls and beautiful vases.

What are your main inspirations?

The materials themselves.

What do you consider to be your most popular product? Why do you think it resonates with people?

Ramen bowls! It seems that their quirky functionality just hits the spot.

What piece are you the proudest of?

I love the vases I make, which were designed in consultation with an extremely talented Leith florist.

What would you consider to be the most challenging aspect about being a working artist/designer? 

Taking time off!!

Do you have any past accomplishments you wish to share?  

I built up the pottery off the back of a crowdfunder, some small savings and redundancy money received in 2018. I turned the hammer blow of redundancy around and found the impetus to overcome my anxieties and take the life changing step of setting up the business.

How did you find out about SDX? And what made you apply to sell with us?

I found SDX in Ocean Terminal and was attracted to their ethos as a Social Enterprise, a model adopted by Leith Community Pottery.

What have you found to be the most challenging aspect to your business since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020?

Much of our income is based on hosting workshops and 10 week Pottery Courses, all of which had to stop due to lockdowns. This had a massive impact on our income streams and our ability to fulfill our social mission, which is to support those living with poor mental health, social isolation and exclusion.

What do you hope to gain from working with SDX going forward? 

I hope to develop my products and have the opportunity to market larger, more high-end pieces of work, such as the vases and salad bowls.

If you could share just one piece of advice to aspiring artists/designers who want to make a living from their creative talents, what would you tell them?  

Your time is valuable; don't over work and don't undersell yourself.

And finally, help share some motivation with your favourite inspirational advise or quote!

Endeavour to persevere.