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Hand Thrown Functional Pottery

in Featured Crafters, Pottery on

Victoria Baker, today’s featured crafter, loves growing and eating my own vegetables. She also thinks birds should have tiny hands because it would make life easier for them. All we know is that your hands must be perfect, because the pottery you create is absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing your art with us!

Victoria Baker

Random Facts About You?

I love growing and eating my own vegetables I try to get creative with them in the kitchen. Finland has to be the most beautiful country I've ever visited. I think birds should have tiny hands because it would make life easier for them. I occasionally like to casually dress like a pirate.



What got you started crafting?

My Dad had been a craft potter 20 years ago and I was keen to pick up his hobby. I took a night class and found that quite quickly I was able to produce pieces that could be sold. I used to spend my evenings not really achieving very much, since I took up pottery thats really changed I try and do it all the time!



What is your source of inspiration?

I get inspiration from the natural world I particularly like earthy colours, greens, browns and reds. Animals occasionally feature in my work and when I'm not at the wheel I tend to be outside in the garden.

I also spend time looking at ancient pottery since a lot of their designs are much more elegant that modern pottery. My Dad's work is another source of inspiration since I hold him in quite high regard as a potter.



What have you made recently?

The last thing I made was a set of four cappuccino cups. I decided to make these just because it was a different kind of cup shape, I think they're quite popular too thanks to cafe culture.

Usually I try and form the idea in my mind of how they'll look, I then go into the studio and cut clay into the required size and form it into ball shapes. I then attach one to the wheel head and throw it.

Once I'm happy with it I cut it off the wheel and let it dry until its leather hard at which point I turn it. This involves getting rid of excess clay and sometimes creating a foot ring.

The pot then goes in for its first firing, the bisque. After that it gets glazed and in for its final firing then your done. Phew!





Where do you sell your crafts presently?

I sell on Etsy, Folksy and DaWanda. This summer will be the first time I'll be selling at a craft fair. I must say I'm quite nervous about it.



Why are handmade crafts important to you?

I tend to buy handmade for the quality, I find that as gifts they're also unique and I like how I can give money directly to artisans rather than some huge corporate machine.



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