West Berks potter’s business expands rapidly after collaboration with music icon John Legend
A SMALL pottery studio out at South Fawley with sustainability at its core is making waves after having undergone rapid expansion, and the introduction of workshops, courses and retreats.
Charlotte Manser is local British independent ceramics brand. The 29-year-old started her business in 2019, when she was 24.
“In the last year we have collaborated with music artist John Legend and have become known on social media (20,000 followers) for showing the reality of life at a pottery studio, often speaking about the slow craft movement and how I have grown passion into my business.”
In March she moved her studio to the West Berkshire village of South Fawley, on the same farm site that popular well-known sculptor Johannes von Stumm also has his studio, as a space opened up in the workshop.
In April she expanded the studio within the building to take on the full premises. This increase from 800 sq ft to 2,600 sq ft enabled her to build a pottery teaching space.
She currently sells on Etsy and through her website, at local market stalls throughout the year and wholesale online and all over the world.
“I love being in the countryside and my craft lends itself well to a rural studio,” says Charlotte.
“We are proud to be a sustainable, rural pottery business with an all female team.”
She currently has a team of three staff and is in the process of hiring another.
“My female team are creatives in their own right and we all work together to create new products and glaze ranges.”
Sustainability, and following an eco friendly lifestyle, has always been a big part of Charlotte’s day to day.
“Within my business I knew I was never going to make work without considering its environmental impact.
“Some of the ways in which we follow a sustainable practice are
Never fire a kiln that is not full
We have a water butt so all of our waste water from making is reduced and recycled
All of our clay is recycled and reused
Using 100 per cent eco-friendly packaging materials including biodegradable packing peanuts and paper bubblewrap
We fire our kilns on a fast cycle which reduced the amount of energy used
We buy materials in bulk, for example one tonne of clay at a time, to reduce the carbon footprint.”
Charlotte studied ceramics at Cardiff Metropolitan University and graduated with a first class honours degree in 2017.
During her time at university she created abstract, hand-built sculptural works.
Following graduation, she worked and lived at a private school in Somerset for two years, teaching ceramics and art to students ages 10 to 18.
“I also ran a staff and parent ceramic class and the students in this class inspired me to start selling my work.”
The collaboration with US musician, record producer and actor John Legend came through Etsy, the online marketplace powered by a community of independent sellers and makers.
“In December 2022, I was contacted by Etsy and asked if I’d like to collaborate with a celebrity on an interior design range.
“Etsy had found my shop and loved it and wanted me to be a part of the 2023 collab.
“I soon found out it was John Legend who we would be collaborating with!”
Throughout the start of 2023, Charlotte worked with Etsy and John’s team to create several products inspired by his home, love for interior design and his appreciation for the slow crafts.
“For the summer range we created three different mugs with matching coasters and three pet bowls.
“For this range I was the only UK seller too, which made it feel even more special.
“For the winter range, we created two glazed candlestick holders.
“All the items were printed with his name and mine and were part of an amazing range of products with other women, black or minority owned businesses.
“I felt very honoured to have been picked out from the thousands of Etsy shops worldwide and asked to take part in this amazing opportunity.
“This collaboration has helped with the rapid growth of my Etsy shop and has allowed me to reach customers more in America and Canada.”
Charlotte’s Fawley studio has transformed a historic farmyard barn into a beautiful welcoming pottery studio where they are looking forward to hosting an array of pottery courses, workshops and retreats.
“Our summer calendar is filling up,” says Charlotte, “with our sold out 10-week pottery course, our Pottery and Floristry Day Retreat, our Pottery and Yoga weekend retreat and lots more workshops.
“We aim to work with local businesses, accommodation providers and caterers to firstly enhance the local tourism and highlight the beautiful countryside around, but also provide a luxurious experience rooted in wellbeing for all our customers.”
Charlotte is hosting an open day on Sunday (June 9) and a day retreat in pottery and floristry on June 15.
And there’s a lot more to come.
Watch this space.
https://www.charlottemanserceramics.com/
