Workshop Update – December 2025

The last few months have been a busy and rewarding period in the workshop. Alongside building stock and completing wholesale orders, the team has been finishing the remaining tiles for Phase One of the Capital Project. Around 7,000 tiles have now been made, with a few hundred still to be glazed and fired. These will be organised into batches of 100, each including 25 decorated tiles and the remainder finished in seven different plain glazes.

We are also developing new products for Toast, who requested samples for five new designs. These are currently in progress and could lead to significant bulk orders in 2026. Work has also moved forward on our Liberty London collaboration, and we have been given the green light to begin producing samples for their review early in the new year. Mashiko potter Koki Kimura joined us at the beginning of November and will be with us for a few months. He is supporting the development of pattern designs for the Liberty collaboration and may stay on to help with production if the samples are approved.

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Tiles and Kilns

Most of the tiles for Phase One of the Capital Project are now complete, with final glazing and firings underway. Once finished, the tiles will be grouped into consistent batches ready for installation.

A major milestone this season has been the completion of four new gas kilns in the new building. These include two large production kilns and two smaller kilns. One of the smaller kilns will be used for atmospheric firings such as soda glazing, while the other will be used to trial renewable fuel systems and provide additional production capacity.

Building the kilns also gave us the opportunity to train apprentices and studio staff in the fundamentals of kiln construction, an invaluable skill for any potter.

New apprentice Imogen Kempton was closely involved in the build and reflected on the experience, from laying foundations and brickwork to constructing arches and understanding the importance of kiln proportions and insulation. The project was a steep learning curve for the whole team and has left us well prepared for future firings.

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Health and Safety

Throughout the kiln build, the workshop team was provided with full safety equipment and onsite inductions. Training was also given on the safe use of machinery, including the brick cutting saw. With construction continuing into the final stages of Phase One, maintaining a safe and focused working environment remains essential.

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Ellie Woods’ Residency in New Zealand

Earlier this year, Ellie Woods returned from a three month residency at Driving Creek Pottery in New Zealand. Having completed her apprenticeship last year, the residency offered a valuable opportunity to develop her practice while being immersed in a highly creative and collaborative setting.

During her time at Driving Creek, Ellie worked with a range of local clays, learning how to dig, process and prepare them for throwing, as well as incorporating them into glazes and slips. She took part in multiple wood firings and experimented with different kiln types and firing methods, including salt, soda and ash firings, as well as learning techniques such as hikidashi.

The residency also brought the chance to work alongside potters from around the world, with new residents joining each month. These shared experiences, conversations and exchanges of knowledge were a vital part of the experience. Ellie also travelled around the North Island visiting other potters and studios, gaining further inspiration and ideas for her own work.

Ellie describes the residency as an incredibly valuable experience that helped develop her confidence, technical knowledge and international connections, and she extends her thanks to Callum Trudgeon and the team at Driving Creek for making it possible.