Nettleton Pottery (Laura  McNicholas)

Laura’s ceramics are heavily steeped in family history, intertwined with childhood memories of ramblings amongst rock pools and more rugged countryside walks. Her great, great aunt, Freda, great grandmother, Matilda and grandmother, Elsie were creative women with talents for crotchet, embroidery, appliqué and knitting. Their handiworks, including beautifully crafted and embellished decorative collars, doilies, tray and tablecloths have been preciously saved through five generations. Using these, Laura is now able tell their story and celebrate their lives.

The delicate and strongly textured designs from craftwork are used to impress patterns and create tactile surfaces which are enhanced by a mixture of oxides or underglazes. This contrasts with the smooth, shiny and deeply- glazed interiors of the rock pool and shell inspired forms. The colour of these glazes are carefully considered and layered to create the impression of changing weather conditions reflected by the water at different times of day and evening.