Rob and Sara Ellis

I first became interested in pottery in 2002. It was not my choice for a hobby but it soon became my passion. Sara persuaded me to accompany her to evening classes – I would have preferred cookery! The early weeks of hand-building slab pots and coiled vases did little to fire my enthusiasm then I tried my hand at throwing and became hooked. 

For a few terms at Yeovil College, David Brown of dbpottery in Merriott, gave me a good grounding in the basics. I then decided to invest in my own wheel and kiln. In the beginning I squeezed my workspace into the corner of my brother’s workshop. When we moved to High Ham, the main objective was to have a space of my own, that was the garage – a very rustic affair amongst the paint pots and garden tools – and the only space for my electric kilns was in the conservatory … not ideal! Over the next 15 years I extended my workshop to include the electric kilns and built two gas kilns. The conservatory has been rebuilt and become our home gallery. Since the early days of evening classes I have gradually found my own unique way of working, developing my skills and practice, very much self-taught, reading books, watching YouTube and picking the brains of other potters.

Working as a helicopter engineer but having found enjoyment in throwing pots, I longed to swap my desk for my potter’s wheel. Many would say I was quite grumpy, juggling my full-time job and making pottery, as I never had time to truly embrace my passion. It was always a regret of mine that I never found a career that I truly enjoyed – although not many of us do! My dream then came true in May 2023 when I finally gave up my job, of over 30 years, and became a full-time potter. I am happiest when I am, and usually everything around me, is covered in clay.

I throw my pots using coarse stoneware clay, preferring traditional functional forms including mugs, jugs, bowls and teapots. I also like to throw larger, more challenging statement pieces like lamps. They are all biscuit fired in an electric kiln. I then use simple homemade wood ash glazes and fire them to cone 10 in a self-built gas kiln. For many years I glaze fired my pots in an electric kiln but desperately wanted to achieve the results that only a gas kiln could bring. Building a “tester” kiln, before up-scaling, became quite a project. I enjoy experimenting with the endless possibilities of reduction firing and am constantly grappling with the unpredictability that this method of firing brings. I am like a child on Christmas morning when opening the kiln. It is always fascinating to see the results whether elation or disappointment.

Sara’s role has always been selling the pottery and the technology side, creating and maintaining our website and running our social media, all of which I do not have a clue about, although I feel now I need to drag myself into the 21st century and learn more of these aspects. 

Sara does dabble with the making side; she prefers hand-building and many pieces are heart shaped, leaning away from my philosophy of each piece having a function – ‘being pretty’ would be her answer. Our skills complement each other so you will find we both have a hand in each other’s work. Sara’s range includes mugs, jugs, bowls, bunting, pinch pots, soap dishes, bells and planters. 

Our home gallery is open on the first Saturday of every month or visits are by arrangement at other times.

I am a member of the Westcountry Potters Association and 

Somerset Art Works.