Meet Our Makers - Kimberley Jo Ceramics
Kimberley MacDonald aka Kimberley Jo Ceramics is a ceramicist and artist based in Derbyshire, who creates wheel thrown and hand built ceramics using stoneware clay.
Welcome to the second blog in the ‘Meet Our Makers’ series. In this edition I’m excited to be talking to Kimberley MacDonald aka Kimberley Jo Ceramics; a ceramicist influenced by nature, folk lore and folk art and whose work can be found at art festivals and exhibitions as well as at Tissington Craft Fairs in 2023.
Hi Kimberley, it’s lovely to talk to you today. When did you first try your hand at ceramics?
During a tricky time in my life about four years ago, I started a six week pottery course at The Clayrooms pottery workshops in Ashbourne. I needed something mindful and to give me a focus. Clay does that, it is therapeutic and meditative and can give you space and time away from the rest of life’s stresses and strains. After the first two hour session I was totally hooked and once I gained enough skills and knowledge needed to work independently I became a member at the studio which allowed me to start creating and practising my own body of work.
Kimberley Jo Ceramics at Tissington Craft Fair in 2022.
At what stage did you decide to turn it into a business and what was your inspiration to start it?
2021 was the first year I started selling my ceramics. I started off with just small craft fairs and local exhibitions and last year built up to some larger festivals and shows. This year is my biggest year with several different shows, art festivals and of course Tissington Craft Fairs. I initially started selling because as I was posting to social media or showing people my work, I kept getting asked if they could buy pieces. It has taken me a while to have enough confidence to accept that people want to pay for my work so starting small was a good way for me to test the water and feel confident that my work was good enough!
I understand you have another job as well as your ceramic business but how do you manage the two?
For the last few years I was working full time at Tissington Hall so I know this beautiful village and setting very well! I am also a Mum to four children so making ceramics was always something I had to fit in around this. This year I have made the leap to take my work down to part time. This has allowed me to be able to focus more on the ceramics and turn it into a proper business.
“My decoration and hand building is done in my home studio” Kimberley MacDonald, Kimberley Jo Ceramics
Where do your creations come to life?
My work is a mixture of hand built and wheel thrown ceramics. I also paint folk art so many of my ceramics are highly decorated to reflect this. My decoration and hand building is done in my home studio where I have my two studio dogs, Marley and Ivy to keep me company. Ivy is still a puppy so most of her job involves trying to eat the clay. I also remain a member at The Clayrooms studio in Ashbourne where I make all of my wheel thrown pottery and fire all the work in the kilns there. I love this side of things because we have a real community of artists and makers who help and support each other. We also have the expertise of the co founders Helen Cammiss and Sarah Heaton who are both professional artists and highly skilled ceramicists themselves so I always have professional advice and support if needed.
Do you remember your very first sale? And how does it feel when someone chooses to buy your work?
I first sold a piece of work in the Ashbourne art trail exhibition. It was such an amazing feeling that someone actually liked my work enough to want to buy it. It was a hand built sculpted piece which felt extra special to sell it as these often have no function other than to look lovely!
What has been your proudest moment so far with your business?
I am still very humbled that people want to pay money for work that I’ve made so every time I make a sale I feel very proud. I always love to see how proud my husband and children are of me whenever I tell them which pieces I’ve sold and the praise I’ve received.
“My first sale was a hand built sculpted piece which felt extra special to sell it as these often have no function other than to look lovely! ” Kimberley MacDonald, Kimberley Jo Ceramics
Do you have a favourite part of the process?
I absolutely love the whole process from the feel of the clay to the satisfaction of seeing the final pieces come out of the kiln. There are so many variables in ceramics that can cause pieces to fail at any stage so it is always such a joy when pieces come out a success.
What can our customers look forward to seeing in 2023? Do you have any new products in the pipeline?
I am currently focussing on a seasonal range which includes sculptures and functional pieces in a range of designs that reflect the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. I am also getting some of my paintings turned into fine art prints as these are much of the inspiration for the decoration on the ceramics so these will also be in my portfolio of work for sale.
And finally what’s your advice for anyone thinking of trying ceramics for the first time?
I think one of the beauties of clay is that there really is something for everyone. Whether it’s learning to throw a pot on the wheel or moulding the clay into shapes with your hands, it is often more about the process and how it makes you feel rather than whether you are any good at it. It is always great to start with a workshop to see how you like it and if you do then classes are the next step!
Discover Kimberley Jo Ceramics at Tissington Craft Fair on:
18th & 19th May 2023
27th & 28th August 2023
Colours of the Earth butter dish by Kimberley Jo Ceramics