During a visit to ceramicist Edmund de Waal‘s studio in Tulse Hill, South London for this week’s London Design Festival, I discovered the work of Carys Davies who, as well as being Edmund’s studio manager, also shares his workshop space to make her own creations. Tea and coffee was served to visitors from the most amazing porcelain tea set that looked as if it had been carved from volcanic stone. They turned out to be Carys’ own pieces that are part of her range called Pebbles.

Carys’ ceramics are inspired by her home in Wales and the surrounding landscape of sea and mountains. The connection to the natural elements is clear to see in the texture of her work. The mugs are satiny smooth on the inside but rough and organic on the outside, managing to appear both modern and ancient at the same time. The pebbled effect is achieved by mixing calcium carbonate into the glaze and firing at a high temperature to create a reaction (here’s the science bit). Carys regularly exhibits her work at events around the country and her work is also available to buy through a selection of UK suppliers listed on her website.

Posted by A.Morris