The 3rd interview in our series is with Kate Sealey Rahman, a Muswell Hill based ceramacist who joined our collective earlier this year.
What do you make?
Wheel thrown stoneware and porcelain ceramics. My main focus is homeware, although I also occasionally make ceramic ornaments and stationery featuring ceramic decorations. My pieces are intended to be both beautiful and functional.
How long have you been running your creative business?
Since the summer of 2021.
Wheel thrown stoneware and porcelain ceramics. My main focus is homeware, although I also occasionally make ceramic ornaments and stationery featuring ceramic decorations. My pieces are intended to be both beautiful and functional.
How long have you been running your creative business?
Since the summer of 2021.
What inspired you to start your creative business?
I was hooked from the first time I tried throwing on the wheel! Friends and family encouraged me to try offering my pieces to a wider audience so I opened an Etsy Shop in July 2021 and the business developed from there.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
I currently work full-time on my creative business. I spent the majority of my previous working life as an academic; and also worked as a curator in the British Library and as a teacher.
I was hooked from the first time I tried throwing on the wheel! Friends and family encouraged me to try offering my pieces to a wider audience so I opened an Etsy Shop in July 2021 and the business developed from there.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
I currently work full-time on my creative business. I spent the majority of my previous working life as an academic; and also worked as a curator in the British Library and as a teacher.
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
I came to ceramics through a weekly evening class with local ceramicist, Ricky Grimes, and had just begun to try throwing on the wheel when the pandemic struck and classes were closed. I was able to set up a wheel at home, and the restrictions of the pandemic afforded me the time and space to work on developing my skill. I am largely self-taught, but have spent time working as a member of a studio in Camden alongside other potters and ceramicists, and still attend sessions at Ricky's studio.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The infinite variety. Pottery is a never-ending experiment in form and function, even before you begin to consider aspects such as the type of clay body or the diversity of glazes and decorative techniques. The endless potential in a ball of clay is a continual source of challenge and delight; and the fact that the finished pieces can be used and enjoyed is an added pleasure.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
Possibly too many to mention. However, books have always been a large part of my life and I would love to try my hand at book binding.
I came to ceramics through a weekly evening class with local ceramicist, Ricky Grimes, and had just begun to try throwing on the wheel when the pandemic struck and classes were closed. I was able to set up a wheel at home, and the restrictions of the pandemic afforded me the time and space to work on developing my skill. I am largely self-taught, but have spent time working as a member of a studio in Camden alongside other potters and ceramicists, and still attend sessions at Ricky's studio.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The infinite variety. Pottery is a never-ending experiment in form and function, even before you begin to consider aspects such as the type of clay body or the diversity of glazes and decorative techniques. The endless potential in a ball of clay is a continual source of challenge and delight; and the fact that the finished pieces can be used and enjoyed is an added pleasure.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
Possibly too many to mention. However, books have always been a large part of my life and I would love to try my hand at book binding.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
As we are surrounded by functional ceramics, sources of inspiration are everywhere. I have been known to be more drawn to the crockery than the food in cafes and restaurants!
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
Sharing experience, expertise and support. Making is often quite solitary in nature, and having a network of fellow creatives to bounce ideas off and seek inspiration and encouragement from is invaluable.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Go for it! Doing something that you love – on whatever level and scale – is hugely rewarding.
As we are surrounded by functional ceramics, sources of inspiration are everywhere. I have been known to be more drawn to the crockery than the food in cafes and restaurants!
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
Sharing experience, expertise and support. Making is often quite solitary in nature, and having a network of fellow creatives to bounce ideas off and seek inspiration and encouragement from is invaluable.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Go for it! Doing something that you love – on whatever level and scale – is hugely rewarding.
What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?
Probably most makers find much of the business side of running a creative business a challenge. The primary passion is for making and the business side is often secondary to this. Every aspect, from pricing and marketing onwards has been (and continues to be!) a steep learning curve. Learning to have confidence in, and yet a certain level of emotional detachment from, the pieces you make is also a challenge. Makers put a bit of themselves into everything they produce and putting work out into the world in a transactional way can be daunting.
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
Books; theatre; tennis; travelling; and socialising with friends and family.
Check out Kate's online shop here
Probably most makers find much of the business side of running a creative business a challenge. The primary passion is for making and the business side is often secondary to this. Every aspect, from pricing and marketing onwards has been (and continues to be!) a steep learning curve. Learning to have confidence in, and yet a certain level of emotional detachment from, the pieces you make is also a challenge. Makers put a bit of themselves into everything they produce and putting work out into the world in a transactional way can be daunting.
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
Books; theatre; tennis; travelling; and socialising with friends and family.
Check out Kate's online shop here
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