I have high expectations of students but primarily will be looking for those who show interest and want to find out more
What industry do you work in?
I work in ceramics, predominantly hand thrown. I make almost anything in clay, from mugs to chimney pots.
What’s your job title and what does that involve?
We've formed a limited company at Aylesford Pottery and I’m one of the two directors. As we are such a small company, I’m involved in almost everything – making pots, firing them, glazing, re-firing and packaging up for sending. This all happens alongside running the business side of the company – administration, bookkeeping, marketing, advertising etc. In addition I run evening workshops for people who want to learn how to work with clay. Primarily I see myself as a potter but there’s a whole lot more involved!
How did you get to where you are now?
It was a long process! I did a four year ceramics course at Medway College of Art and after leaving college I got a job as a production thrower at a pottery in Ashford. I then went freelance, working for any local potteries, and did a lot of work with another potter based in London making flowerpots. After a while we decided to set up our own business based in Kent, making all kinds of terracotta gardenware. When that particular market dried up, I found work as a thrower with the owner of the pottery based at Aylesford Priory and when he decided to stop working I took over and have been working there for the last 10 years.
Does your company offer work experience to students? How do you select work experience students? What do you expect from students when they are on work experience with you?
We offer work experience for school students in one or two week blocks. As ours is a small working environment, I can afford to be choosy about who I take on so I always meet the students beforehand to assess their levels of interest and enthusiasm. The school usually brings them on an initial visit and then students are expected to arrange a further visit themselves where I explain the work they will be doing.
I have high expectations of students but primarily will be looking for those who show interest and want to find out more. In return I can offer training in a whole range of practical skills that anyone considering a job in this field will need.
What sort of study/course subjects would you consider a good preparation for someone thinking of working in your industry?
Be flexible and get experience in as many different areas as you can so that you can work in any aspect of the industry. Diversify and be willing to take on any work that comes up. Also keep an eye on trends – see what the shops are selling and what people are actually buying as you can then use this as a basis for creating your own work.
In terms of design, you will need to be able to draw and obviously have a talent for working with clay. On the business side, bookkeeping, marketing and IT skills are great assets and will make your life a lot easier.
When you are recruiting new staff, what are the most important things you look for in applicants?
Enthusiasm goes a long way to convincing me that someone is worth taking on. Ability is an asset but potential is more important, as long as the person has a basic skill in working with clay. I always employ people on a trial basis initially to see how they actually work with clay and whether they live up to their portfolio.
I will also be looking for someone who I like and who will be able to get on with the rest of the team.
What advice would you give for those thinking about working in your industry?
Be prepared to work extremely hard for little return when you start out! Go to college and get technical advice to build up your skills as much as possible and then get as much practical experience as you can. Work with a range of different people and learn from them – look at all the ways of using clay and you can then use these different skills when you come to work for yourself. Follow design trends and use these to form your own ideas and don’t be afraid to fail – as you gain experience you will be able to build on these experiences and develop as a potter.
What’s the best thing about working in your industry? And the worst?
I really enjoy working with clay – I’m sure there are easier ways to earn a living but I wouldn’t want to change what I do! I enjoy it when people like what I have made and purchase it for themselves – the fact that you have designed and made something that someone else wants to own. I also enjoy teaching far more than I expected and find it rewarding.
The worst thing has to be the administrative side of running a business – as well as the bills that have to be paid before you can even start to make any money!
What do you know now about working life that you wished you’d known at the start?
I wish I’d known how hard it was going to be so I could have been more prepared. I would also definitely have gained IT experience – that would make life so much easier now.
If you would like advice on creative careers and courses, contact a Creative Way Careers Adviser - either Matt Ball on m.ball@uel.ac.uk / 07889 001764 or Sarah Comerford on s.comerford@uel.ac.uk / 07515 051509.