Exploring the Art of Clay: A Conversation with Sally and Graham, Owners of Pembrey Pottery Studio

In the heart of Pembrey, a quaint village on the Welsh coast, sits a cosy pottery studio that has become the creative home of Sally and Graham, a married couple who share a passion for clay, craftsmanship, and community. Their pottery studio, a testament to years of dedication, artistry, and love for the craft, has grown from a small, shared dream into a thriving local business.

In an age when mass-produced goods dominate the market, Sally and Graham have embraced the slower, more intimate process of handcrafting each unique piece. Their work is a reflection of their artistic journeys, shaped by their environment, their partnership and the medium they love. We had the pleasure of organising another order of cups and brand new incense holders this year with Sally and Graham. We went and spent some time with them while they made the collaboration order and we discussed their journey, the importance of supporting local artisans and what makes their studio such a special place.

1. How did you get started in pottery, and what led to the creation of Pembrey Pottery Studio?
 
In 1956, when Graham was 15 he went to Art School, pottery appealed most and he has done it ever since. I attended one of Graham's evening classes in 2001 with a friend to make up the numbers and ended up loving it. After we got married in 2006, we wanted to find a space to make pottery. Pembrey provided a home and space for us. It was a natural choice to call our studio Pembrey Pottery, it grounded us in the place.

2. How do you balance creativity and practicality when designing functional pottery?
 
We want our pots to be functional and decorative. We plan our pots before we start, whether they will be single one off pieces or a large group of pots. They are all handmade so even if they are similar they all come out slightly different.
We use our pots in our home so we see and feel how they work.

3. What mediums and techniques do you primarily work with, within your studio?
 
We are throwers, mainly we use the wheel using stoneware clay and occasionally porcelain. We decorate using different techniques, dipping into glaze, scaffito-decorating through a glaze & spraying glaze.
 
4. How do you approach sustainability in your pottery and studio practices?
 
We are considered a micro industry so we use off peak electricity to fire our kilns. We reclaim wasteclay and glaze from the spray booth. We wear our old clothes that would have been sent to the charity shop otherwise. We recycle packaging when appropriate for deliveries and use it to cover pots when we are working on them. We use the sun to dry pots where ever possible and reuse the water from the dehumidifier.

5. Where do you find inspiration for your designs and work?

Graham : Arabic, European, Greek, Roman and African influences. Natural form and geometricdesigns. Always looking for inspiration in daily life, travel, museum and books.
Sally : The natural forms in the garden, seaweed at the beach and river ribbon shapes in the countryside.

6. Why do you think supporting local artists and businesses is so important?

Makes the business part of the community. Reduces travel cost of delivery. People like to buy locally produced products, people get a more individual service from us, and get something they can treasure, such as a bespoke wedding or event gift.

7. How did you find the process of creating another order of the popular cups and what was it like making the new incense holders?
 
We liked working together this year making, glazing and numbering  the cups. We work well as a team and planned the process more efficiently, it was not a problem.
 
The incense burner was a bit of a challenge at first as it is a new product for us. Working with Lucy was lovely as she appreciates the pottery process too.

Sally and Graham’s story is a beautiful reminder of the passion and dedication that local artisans bring to their work. Pembrey Pottery Studio is more than just a place to buy pottery; it’s a space where creativity flourishes, community connections are strengthened and the art of handmade craft is celebrated and encouraged.

By supporting businesses like theirs, we ensure that these traditions continue to thrive, enriching both our homes and the communities in which we live. So next time you’re in the market for something special, consider visiting a local artist or maker—you may find something that resonates with you in ways you never expected.