About Harriet

Harriet’s pottery journey began at the age of 12 when she was handed a ball of clay in her school art class with the very simple brief of ‘make an animal’. Being bought up in a pet loving family and with a mum (moderately) obsessed with chickens, Harriet’s first thought was to make her mum a chicken pot to add to her collection. Harriet set out moulding this ball of earthenware clay into a chicken, hollowing it out and joining it back together, sculpting its head and feet and adding feathery details and eyes. Once finished, the art teacher bisque fired the class’s clay animals in the huge and rarely used kiln ready for the following week. 

Harriet couldn’t wait to see her chicken, being completely unaware of the dangers of pots cracking, falling apart and even sometimes exploding. Luckily, Harriet’s plump little chicken survived its one and only encounter with the kiln gods. The class then spent that session enthusiastically painting their creations with acrylic paint. Harriet brought her little chicken home and gifted it to her mum, who placed it on the top of the Welsh dresser in the kitchen, where it still sits to this day 20 years later.

Harriet had no further experience working with clay until she aged 18 and studying her Foundation in Art and Design at Mansfield College. Here, they had a 3D department with pottery wheels, electric kilns and a raku kiln. It was here that Harriet began to get a real taste of the world of pottery. With the support and tuition from some of the teachers there, Harriet demonstrated a skill in hand building including slab building, coiling and sculpture. However, despite there being a number of wheels it seemed the slightly eclectic, outgoing and downright hilarious group of 18 year olds weren’t trusted to have a go. 

On completing her Foundation at Distinction level, Harriet then went on to study Glass and Ceramics at the renowned University of Sunderland at their impressive National Glass Centre. In all honesty, Harriet initially wanted to become a master glass blower after seeing demonstrations at several blown glass studios and having the impression that “they’re just playing with it, that looks easy”. Little did she know. After multiple attempts of trying to blow a pint glass and failing and after realising just how hard it was, Harriet decided that the more relaxed, therapeutic art of pottery was calling her again. Off to the ceramics department Harriet went.

Harriet studied here for 3 years. By no means was it easy and Harriet found being in an educational setting quite challenging at times. It was here that Harriet discovered her passion for throwing pots and began her exploration and respect for Japanese ceramics and the traditional Japanese tea ceremony throwing tea pots and various sizes and shaped of tea cups. Harriet began to throw with porcelain and delved into the world of decorative techniques by layering slips, oxides and homemade glazes- a techniques and design aspect Harriet has carried through to her current series of work. With a lot of hard work, Harriet graduated with a 2:1 BA(Hons) in Glass and Ceramics, a grade she was very proud to achieve. 

Harriet moved back to Nottinghamshire where she, with help from her very supportive parents, bought her own wheel, kiln and basic studio equipment. This saw the beginning of Harriet really homing in on her pottery skills, making pots and selling them at small craft fayres over the years. At the same time, Harriet was working as admin for Mind the Mental Health Charity and the opportunity arose for Harriet to work alongside Welbeck Estate to deliver a complex and well organised series of beginners pottery sessions from their studio on the estate. The sessions were provided for people who had been experiencing difficulties with their mental health. The results from these sessions were astonishing, witnessing the positive effect pottery had on peoples wellbeing filled Harriet’s heart with joy! 

Harriet, however, had a journey of her own to accomplish, a 4 month solo expedition of New Zealand, which saw her return focussed and motivated to further explore her love of pottery.

Harriet returned from New Zealand in October 2017 when she bought her garden studio near Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire and set up as a studio potter and teacher. From here Harriet taught weekend classes for 3 years whilst working full time at other jobs. Covid however soon put a halt to this, meaning Harriet then had a 2 year break from teaching. Harriet did spend 14 months living in Cornwall during this time, which is where her biggest influence and inspiration has been drawn from. The stormy seas of the rugged South Cornwall coast during winter are where Harriet’s current inspiration is from. The deep teal and green hues with the grey skies and rough waves are encompassed in her pots today through her use of layered slips, oxides and glazes. Harriet is now focussed on creating functional kitchen ware that encapsulated the energy and depth of our stunning wild Cornish coast.

Harriet has been teaching weekend and evening classes from her garden studio since December 2022 and loves sharing the experience of pottery with others. She loves meeting people with a joint interest in anything clay and watching that addiction to pottery take hold in others. 

Alongside Harriets love for pottery, she has always carried another ambition- to work in the woods! In September 2022 this dream came true (after multiple attempts!) and Harriet began working for Forestry England on an 18 month Forest Craftsperson’s apprenticeship. Harriet continues to teach weekend and midweek pottery classes whilst drawing even more influence and inspiration from the great outdoors- Harriet’s happy place.