It's been a while since we've written in our Journal and with the February Drop of hand thrown ceramics happening tomorrow (Friday 28th Feb @ 7pm), we thought we'd write a quick post.
We've been busy bees behind the scenes, working on some exciting things for, let's call it, Wild + Sea version 2.0. And also we've decided to do our ceramic drops once every 2 months, instead of every month
"Why?!" - we hear you yell. "I can never get one!" - we hear the frustration. "They sell out too fast!".
All valid points. So here's why; shifting to once every two months will allow us to get more creative with ideas for new products, new glazes, new shapes.
It gives us a little more freedom to experiment, play, and invent. We don't produce from a huge factory somewhere churning out thousands of the exact same pieces a day by machine.
It's one person, two hands, in Totnes, Devon, just down the road from us, carefully hand-throwing, drying, glazing, firing, refiring, and quality-controlling every single part of the process - just the way we like it.
And the clay? That comes from even closer to home. Mined just 10 minutes from Wild + Sea HQ in the Bovey Basin, South Devon, this ball clay has been shaping British ceramics since the 17th century, with even older traces dating back to Roman times.
Devon has played a central role in the global ceramics industry for centuries, and we're proud to be working with a material that carries such a deep history - one that’s unique to this part of the world.
Sure, we could make bigger profits buying from a mass producer - but then would your mug or dog bowl be truly yours?
Would we know their name? Would we share stories and ideas with them? Would we then care? Would it all just boil down to a transaction, about money and sales?
The shape, the weight, the size, the glaze, the colours, the patterns, the imperfections. That's the excitement of owning one of these pieces - we know that because you tell us :)
Each piece is truly unique to you. No two ever the same.
There are definitely easier ways to make money than hand-thrown ceramics. But for us, it's about the process, the collaboration, and the spark of inspiration - imagining where a glaze might take us, what it reminds us of. It's about bringing those ideas to life and, finally, hearing what you think when you hold your new piece in your hands.
Every glaze has a story - shaped by the places, memories, and values that inspire us. "Cuan", one of our first glazes, with its deep blues and shifting tones, is a reflection of the ocean’s ever-changing mood. The ever popular "Lichen" glaze draws from the thriving ecosystems of our forests, celebrating the tiny, resilient life forms that play a vital role in nature.
The glaze is more than just a colour; it’s a connection to the landscapes we love and the things that matter most to us - and we believe that's shared with those who collect them.
Our new glaze "Snow Peak" is inspired by the highest points, rugged peaks, and shifting skies. Capturing the contrast of snow-dusted summits against raw, earthy terrain. A tribute to wild landscapes and the crisp stillness of high-altitude adventures.
Together with "Lichen" it'll be available in limited quantities in both mugs and dog bowls on Friday 28th February at 7pm - see you then. And good luck!
