The Woodland Pottery Strontian

About The Woodland Pottery

I took over the Woodland Pottery & Crafts in early 2022 and live locally, also running Darach Social Croft. As well as pottery I make a wide range of items made from wool from my own sheep, and sheep kept by other crofters in and around Strontian.

I do not use a potters wheel instead I use a method that is usually associated with an industrial pottery called Slip-Casting. This method involves the use of moulds made of plaster of paris into which liquid clay (Slip) is poured or normal clay is moulded. Whilst this method result in the exact repetition of the basic form it does allow for each piece to be individually hand painted. In many cases the basic cast form is then altered by hand moulding to give the final piece.

I use white earthenware clay and some stoneware clay. All the glazes I use are Lead Free and the decoration is gained by the use of a range of glazes. The colour designs are hand painted onto the raw base glaze before it is fired.

Inspiration is taken from our lovely surroundings, with ancient oak woods, stunning mountains and lochs all around. Images of the wildlife and animals that the Highlands are famous for decorate some of our ranges of pottery.

Most of all I enjoy creating simple, beautiful items which reflect the traditional skills used in creating pottery … after all, it is all just mud!

Commissions

I mainly undertake commissions for bespoke ranges during the Winter months, but if you have an idea that you would like to discuss at any time of the year, please Contact Me for a chat!