The first time I held a piece of cold smooth porcelain clay in my hands I felt an affinity with this wonderful translucent material that I couldn't explain, and I still feel the same today. I love working with porcelain, it’s a beautiful clay and needs to be handled with a mixture of confidence and gentleness. I am a passionate advocate for hand-made and the human touch and when someone picks up a piece I have made, just for a second my hand goes into theirs, and I love that. I have watched people nestle a piece of my work into their palm and instantly know it's the one for them. Clay is wonderful stuff; unlike many other materials, all you need are your hands to create a bowl you can eat from, or a figure or sculpture that makes your heart sing.
I have always been involved in the world of design, retail and anything individual and hand-made. Creativity and inspiration are very important to me and it’s vital never to stand still but to expand and grow my practice..
I use gold and platinum lustre, filling my work with light at the final stage. This comes after a long process of hand=forming, carving, finishing, firing, glazing, firing again and then adding the lustre in the third and final firing. The contrast of the smooth luxurious lustre interior and the organic non-glazed exterior which leaves the porcelain to speak for itself, gives it a very tactile quality. Some of my pieces are tiny, like jewels, other are larger and more sculptural, reminiscent of waves and pebbles, fire and water, but all made of the earth, of course.
"I have one of these beautiful vessels and if you look inside you get a reflection that lights you up. These little objects of art come with an energy, a certain magic." Harriet, Wiltshire.
"Penny’s vessels are delicately exquisite and yet have a robust beauty that is redolent of a natural form and material. I love my little gold bowl, glowing warmly on my dressing table. I keep my rings in it at night. Amazing how something this small can be so striking and eye-catching. Truly they are things of beauty." A D, London.
"They are so tasteful, beautiful, organic and really reach a special place in my heart." Nadine, Winchester.
"They are such beautiful gifts." Katie, London.
Exhibitions & Events
I have been exhibiting my work in curated events and exhibitions since 2017:
2026: Celebrating Ceramics - Waterperry Gardens Oxford.
2025: Handmade Chelsea - London, Handmade in Highgate - London, Ceramics in the City - London Design Week, Hoxton London, ‘Edge of Stillness’ Exhibition @ Velarde Gallery, Kingsbridge, Devon.
2024: Celebrating Ceramics - Waterperry Gardens Oxford, Handmade Chelsea - London, Dulwich College Christmas Fair - Dulwich, London, Jigsaw pop up - Richmond Store London, Handmade in Highgate - London.
2023: Handmade in Highgate - London, ‘I Walked A Golden Path’ Exhibition @ Velarde Gallery, Kingsbridge, Devon.
2022: Celebrating Ceramics - Waterperry Gardens Oxford, Crux Craft Fair - Rattery Devon.
2019: Craft Festival - Bovey Tracey, Craft Festival - Cheltenham, Westonbirt Christmas Fair -Tetbury, Made London - Marylebone, London, Nourish Festival - Bovey Tracey, Clems Fairs - Salisbury.
2018: Craft Festival - Bovey Tracey, A Festival of Ceramics - Barnstaple, Nourish Festival - Bovey Tracey, Clems Fairs - Salisbury, Made London - Marylebone, London, Weber’s Yard Christmas Fairs - Totnes.
2017: Kite Studios Christmas Fair - Chiswick, London, Craft Festival - Bovey Tracey, Craft Festival - Cardiff, Nourish Festival - Bovey Tracey.
press and awards
In 2018 I was awarded 'The Maker's Choice Award' at A Festival of Ceramics, presented by the North Devon Ceramics Academy and Studio.
My work has been featured in a variety of magazines and publications, including The English Home Magazine, Devon Life, Period Living and Saga Magazine.