From Britain with Love

After studying in Stoke-on-Trent, I began my career making handmade porcelain kitchen utensils which were mounted in oak box frames for the Conran Shop, having been spotted by one their buyers at my degree show. Conran gave me a huge amount of support and enabled me to save enough money to buy my first kiln. Up until then I’d been packing all my unfired ceramics into the car and taking them to a local kiln. I had to make double the amount I needed as so much would get broken on the way!

When I launched my own range of tableware I originally made everything myself using a porcelain body and then as demand grew, and my daughter Mabel came along, I moved production to a small family run pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, I decided to use English bone china for its beautiful translucent quality. I still have a kiln at my studio which allows me to be creative and add personalised touches to individual items.

My studio, where I design all the products and make the prototypes, is in Shipbourne, near Tonbridge in Kent. I’m inspired by the idyllic countryside that surrounds the studio and this is reflected in the elements I use in my designs, such as birds, butterflies and flowers.

All of my English bone china is made in Stoke-on-Trent using traditional methods. To start with, I make a prototype in my studio, then a ‘block and case’ mould is made by a specialist mould maker. To make a mug, for example, slip (liquid clay) would be poured into the mould until the sides are coated. Then it’s poured out, leaving a thin layer on the inside of the mould which forms the body of the mug. Before the item is bone dry, the mug handle and decorations are added by hand. The product is then passed to a fettler, an experienced craftsperson, who smoothes out the rim and any seam lines. The mug is then high fired to over 1200c for over 10 hours and it takes another day for the kiln to cool. The mug is then polished before being glazed and fired again. After that the backstamp is applied to the base, before the final firing. It’s a time consuming process but the results are worth it.

The most popular design is the butterflies and the most popular products are the toast racks and butter dishes. I think people like to have something beautiful and whimsical on the breakfast table in the morning – it gets the day off to a good start.

It’s the flexibility of being able to combine working with family life. I also love meeting fascinating people through our shop, Luna & Curious, which is run collectively with six other designer makers

Stoke-on-Trent has always been the heart of the British ceramics industry and produces the best quality ceramics in the world. Working closely with the potteries there enables me to be more hands on. I’ve learnt so much from the people I’ve worked with in Stoke – in fact, you never stop learning.

It’s got to be opening our shop Luna & Curious in 2006. We all just said ‘let’s do this’ and we opened the shop with just £400! I work with a fantastic group of creative friends and it’s great to be located in vibrant East London. People say you shouldn’t work with friends but our friendships have only grown. We share duties in the shop by working one day per week which then allows us the freedom to run our individual businesses and man the shop.

I sell the range online on my own website www.pollygeorge.com and they’re also available from Luna & Curious which is at 198 Brick Lane, London E1.

My partners at Luna & Curious always inspire me: stylist and costume designer Susie Coulthard, designer Natasha Lawes, fashion designer Clinton Lotter, jeweller Rheanna Lingham, and ceramicists Grace Wilson and We Love Kaoru. We also like to support new talent and we regularly have guest designers showcasing their products in the shop, such as artist bookmaker Lucy May Schofield and jeweller Emma Franklin.

A good friend of mine is Hannah Tonder of English-made bedlinen and textiles brand Tonder & Tonder, as is Teresa Cole who produces hand printed textiles and homewares under the Teresa Green label. I also love the bags and jewellery made by Amy Anderson from Comfort Station, whose shop is just round the corner from Luna & Curious in Cheshire Street.

I love to visit Shipbourne Farmers Market which is held in the church near my studio, and there is a great butcher and greengrocers called Hussey’s where I live in Wapping. I don’t go to the supermarket often - I try to buy everything locally.

My sister lives in County Armagh in Northern Ireland. She’s an eventer and I love to visit her, ride horses and get back to my roots.

We never do! The shop is a very social environment and there’s always something happening. But for some real peace and quiet I do love being in the studio in Kent.