ABOUT

I’ve played around with clay for a very long time, and since moving to East Sussex nine years
ago I’ve been able to further pursue my long term dream.

I love creating useful and beautiful ceramic pieces for everyday use, in particular, cups, mugs and bowls in a variety of sizes. These are all one-offs, made by hand, sometimes thrown on the wheel, sometimes hand built by pinching, coiling and rolling. No two pieces are the same, so when you buy one you know it’s the only one out there.

The inspiration for many of my ceramic pieces comes from my cafe days spent crafting the perfect coffee, and searching for the optimal vessel to drink it from. Let’s face it, everyone has their favourite cup for their favourite drink at the right time and place... don’t they!?

Good design has always played a part in my life. I studied design and illustration at St Martins school of art many years ago and after graduating I worked as a graphic designer and art director in London and Sydney for 20 years. It was whilst living in Sydney that my eyes were opened to the innovative cafe scene there. Inspired by this I moved back to the UK and spent a few years setting up lifestyle inspired cafes: designing the space, creating the brand… and searching for the right cups, mugs and bowls!

A natural progression has taken me full circle, back to my creative roots, designing, making, playing with clay.

Simone Aylward in her pottery studio
Pottery studio showing glazes being applied by hand
A work in progress photo, showing four handmade, pinched pottery ceramic espresso cups drying on a pottery wheel in a pottery studio, surrounded by clay tools.
A work in progress photo, showing a large handbuilt pinched and coiled fruit bowl. A unique and one-off piece, built from buff stoneware with a white slip applied
A work in progress photo, showing a handmade, slab built pottery ceramic latte coffee cup and a small milk jug, drying on a pottery wheel in a pottery studio, surrounded by clay tools.
Clay pottery set with cup, milk jug and spoon on plate, monochrome
A work in progress photo of several small ceramic pottery bowls. These are pinched pottery, and are in the process of being glazed in a variety of coloured glazes.
A collection of ceramic pottery bowls, cups, and mugs displayed on a wooden table.