Charlotte Manser Ceramics - Kiln

Aim

I hope to expand on my quantity of making and workshops with another wheel,allowing for more students, more workshops and a bigger community

Charlotte Manser Ceramics 

The ability to craft an object from the materials found beneath our feet is what drives my passion to create.

Based just outside The Cotswolds; I explore the use of clay through hand-building large scale, organic forms and throwing functional pieces, for everyday use.

Hand thrown pieces includes; soap dishes, plates, bowls, mugs, and beakers etc. My pieces are colourful, with unique glazes that make them desirable to hold and use.

Large scale organic sculptures are informed by objects collected from the shore; objects altered and changed through their journey across the sea. Through balance, texture and a blend of glazes, these sculptures encourage discussion and draw the viewer into an extra-terrestrial world.

My Background 

Whilst at school and college I always covered a wide range of subjects as I wasn't sure on my careeer path at 15... not surprisingly! During college I applied for univeristy to study American Studies - this was a varied course covering lots of subjects so sounded good enough for me. As a shy 18 year old, I didn't want to leave home yet, so I defered my application and filled my year with doing an Art Foundation course, as it sounded fun. In 2014, whilst on the course, I first worked with clay and was hooked! I decided to change my degree and the following year went to Cardiff Metropolitan Univeristy to study BA(hons) Ceramics. 

In between my degree and Art Foundation Course, I spent a summer teaching ceramics at an American Summer Camp. This was an incredible experience not only because of the sunshine, lake swims and amazing campers; but also because, I learnt so much about ceramics and teaching it put me in good sted for my university experience. Well so I thought...

In my first few weeks of university, I was very overwhelmed by the level of skill coming from my peers. Ultimately I had only been working with clay for 6 months before doing my degree and other students had been doing it for years. After most of my first year was spent practicing, watching others work and practicing some more; I soon felt more confident in my ability and ideas. In my second year I began working more sculpturally and explored coiling and large scale making. This led to a successful degree show where I sold several of my sculptures. 

I graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University with a first class degree in Ceramics in 2017. After Leaving Cardiff, I moved to Somerset where I was a Graduate Ceramic Intern for two years. This was an amazing stepping stone from university, as it allowed me to experience all aspects of teaching and school life. After a 2 year internship, I moved back to Swindon and began applying for full time jobs. It was prooving very hard and boring, so I went back to what I love doing... CERAMICS!

My Business
In the summer of 2019 I set up Charlotte Manser Ceramics with the aim of making work to sell locally and at large UK wide events, and bringing ceramics into the community. I have attended many events over the past few months and have met so many people who have been very supportive of my new business. In January 2020 I launched my programme of workshops, where I am offering courses for handbuilding and throwing, family workshops, childrens parties, hen parties, teambuilding workshops and GCSE/A-Level support. I am a few weeks into the first workshops and they are going very well with several students currrently, and more signed up for the coming months!

My Project  

By doing this CrowdFunding I am hoping to raise enough money to fund the purchase of another pottery wheel. 

I currently have one electric wheel which allows me to make my work and host throwing workshops for 2 students at any one time. Throwing workshops seem to be extremely popular and I already have 6 students booked over 3 days for my first block of lessons. With an additional wheel I can provide workshops for more than 2 students at any one time, building a greater sense of community and peer support. This will also allow me to host other workshops in the time slots made available.  At this stage of my business, I am trying to build up as many contacts and students as possible so I will not turn anyone away; this means I will be running 5 workshops a week as part of course along with any further booking. 

In addition for the stability of my business, another wheel would be valued, as I will not be solely reliant on one wheel to run classes and make my own work. if this wheel were to break (which is not uncommon for this old guy), then it would prove problematic. 

This project successfully funded on 24th March 2020