Get What You Always Wanted for Christmas

Regular readers of this blog will know that I like to do my best to promote and support independent UK designer/makers so I was delighted to discover two ladies after my own heart: Ann Ellison and Deborah Bancroft, founders of What I Always Wanted - a new(ish) online shopping platform, showcasing 'beautifully designed and crafted British made gifts and homeware'.

The success enjoyed by Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish, founders of Not On The High Street, has led to a flurry of online marketplaces opening up, each in support of British artisans and each offering unique gifts and hand-crafted products. 
Launched in May 2012, What I Always Wanted is one such site. While its primary function is similar to that of Not On The High Street, it doesn't have the (rather intimidating) quantity of sellers.  Instead, there are - for the moment at least - 50 or so carefully selected craftspeople from all over the UK.  With many of the designers exclusive to their site, you are bound to discover something you always wanted but couldn't find.

Not On The High Street has grown in to a one-stop shop for stylish, unique gifts and, if the trend for handmade craft continues, it is likely to face some stiff competition from the WIAW ladies.  

With Christmas just around the corner you can avoid the usual high street pandemonium and find everything you want without leaving the comfort of your up-cycled armchair. 

Here's what's on my wishlist:

Hemlock tea towel, £12 - Annabel Perrin

Outline vase, £84 - This Is Pewter

Ronnie & Frank cushion, £40 - Yoke

Fishbone necklace, £30 - Behind the Showcase

Photos courtesy of What I Always Wanted.

Introducing... Jo Davies

Stoke On Trent may be known as the Potteries but Stoke Newington, in North London, is emerging as the home of the potters.

I have mentioned before on this blog the endearing work of N16-based Takae Mizutani and Sons and now I have discovered another talented ceramicist in the area: Jo Davies.

Jo Davies

A graduate of Bath School of Art and latterly the Royal College of Art, Jo has carved out a successful career as a ceramicist over the last ten years, winning several awards in the process.  She has held residencies in Wales and Norway and exhibited all over the world, but I caught up with her at the recent Tent London show in East London, not far from her Chocolate Factory studio.

I was initially drawn to the simplicity of her work but, on closer inspection, there's a lot more to it.

Jo describes her ceramics as 'a bringing together of contrasts' and it's easy to see what she means: pieces are soft and yet sharp, sturdy yet delicate, abstract but with a certain tangibility. 

By using a combination of wheel-thrown and hand building techniques, Jo creates pieces which are incredibly tactile. Her cups, each one unique with throwing lines that are made to 'fit the fingers', are particularly irresistible.  There are elements of androgyny too - feminine sensuality is combined with strong masculinity.  

If it was a person I think Jo's work would be Angelina Jolie: sophisticated with a cheeky humour and a glint of wickedness, perhaps not unlike Jo herself?

'Choker' vases, £65.

Cups, available in three sizes, from £10.

'Zsa Zsa' vase, from £190.

Jo takes commissions and also offers tuition at her studio. For more information visit http://www.jo-davies.com 

All images courtesy of Jo Davies Ceramics.