PARC POTTERY X COALTOWN V60's

We are thrilled to introduce our handmade Parc Pottery x Coaltown V60s, crafted with local clay, bringing a touch of artisanal excellence to your coffee experience. Will spent some time with us recently, sharing his inspiration, journey and craftsmanship. Join us as we explore the world of pottery through his eyes:

Will the Potter stands out as a remarkable talent. Inspired by his mother, who encouraged him to explore various creative mediums, Will's journey with clay began in his childhood home. This early foundation has led him to a successful career in the creative industries, where he has seamlessly blended passion with profession.

Will’s early exploration in pottery was characterised by experimentation. He explored different shapes and forms, driven by a curiosity to understand the material. Over the years, his style evolved, becoming more refined and focused. Today, Will is known for his simple, functional tableware, featuring natural lines and a rustic palette of glazes. Recently, he has embraced neutral tones, opting for glossy whites and clear glazes that let the clay’s natural beauty shine through.

Can you describe the process of making a ceramic V60 from start to finish? And have you enjoyed that process?

“Making V60 pour overs was a super fun new challenge to explore! I tried to keep the whole making process as simple as possible by making them all in one go.

They start off life just as a ball of clay which is well wedged before being thrown on the potters wheel.

Once centred, the first step is to sort of cut into it near the bottom for the flared base that will sit atop whatever vessel the coffee will drip into, this has to be big enough to account for the shrinkage the clay goes through during the process.

Next I’ll form the opening by digging through the top, usually you’d stop before you hit the wheel to keep a bottom on things like mugs and bowls, but with these you need to cut right through the bottom to allow the bottom hole to form.

From here it’s a case of flaring out this opening, using the remaining clay to make the piece gradually bigger and wider, maintaining the crucial internal angle throughout.

At this point the shape is done but the inside is smooth. To create a textured internal surface I did consider waiting until they were a bit drier to carve into it, but I decided instead to use some coloured wild clay slip, in this case with added stain to get the black colour required for this project. I generously apply this and bounce a wooden rib along it whilst the wheel spins, resulting in the swirly spiralling texture which seems to work really well for the V60 filter papers to sit in.

After drying a bit more I’ll tidy the bottoms up and add my makers mark. Once fully dry they go into the kiln at around 1000°c which turns them from clay to ceramic, I’ll then apply my glazes before firing again to around 1250° and they’re done!”

Will’s fascination with local clay dates back to a childhood holiday when he discovered clay on a beach and moulded it into a face. This passion was reignited when he found yellow wild clay along a stream. Through testing, he found that this clay could withstand high firing temperatures, transforming from yellow to terracotta and finally to deep burgundy. Will now uses wild clays as decorating slips, making the most of the small quantities he collects.

Can you share a memorable project or piece that holds special significance to you?

“I collected some wild clay whilst on holiday in Corfu, ahead of our wedding there later this year! Everyone was using it on the beach as face masks, so I collected a tiny lump and brought it home. The colours of this were totally different, it came out of the ground almost bright green, turning also to a terracotta at bisque temperature, but then it became a bright yellow at stoneware which I didn't expect at all. I used it as a decorating slip on some very special personal pots!”

In addition to being a potter, Will is a full-time wedding photographer. Balancing these dual passions is challenging, but Will emphasises the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By being selective about his projects and pausing pottery classes, he has been able to focus on creating and selling his own work, ensuring that his passion for pottery remains a source of joy rather than stress.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in pottery?

“Advice for starting out is to just experiment with loads of different shapes/styles, find potters whose work you really love for inspiration and just have a go! Don't expect to be a master immediately, as with everything it takes practice so the more time you can spend making, the better you'll get, don't worry about speed. Be prepared to get messy and have fun!”

What do you think is the future of pottery as an art form and profession?

“The future of pottery is definitely exciting, I'm seeing more and more people want to come and have a go at it, the demand for lessons has shot up! This is really exciting and I'm hoping as many people as possible have the chance to have a go and fall in love with it. The future for my own pottery I think will continue to be a balance of doing classes and commissions that I want to take on, and getting back to making my own small batches to sell directly which I love. Handmade tableware is a joy I hope everyone can experience!”

Will’s journey is a testament to the power of inspiration, the beauty of natural materials, and the enduring appeal of handmade art. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Will, it’s been seamless and inspiring to witness his creativity in action and learn more about his process. We look forward to working with Will in the future.