Ask the Indie

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About

Hi, I am Libby the maker and designer behind Libby Ballard Ceramics, lovingly producing all your hand-thrown ceramic tableware from my studio in Wiltshire.

I love creating unique pieces that have been carefully designed so that they add to your whole dining and home experience. In the hope that they become that favourite mug you enjoy your morning cuppa in or that perfect planter that holds your favourite plant to add to your plant family.

My ceramic journey started back at school where I first fell in love with clay as a material. I then carried on making and enjoying working with my hands so I decided to take degree in 3D materials practice (Wood, Metal, ceramics & plastics) at Brighton University. Here I refined my skills and began to find my style. Having grown up on the Isle of Wight the coast has always been a huge influence to me and this only grew studying at Brighton.

​I want my ceramics to have a relaxing and calming feel to them that I get when I visit the coast and look out to sea.

​All my products are made from a flecked Stoneware Clay that are mixed from a blend of two clays. They are individually hand thrown on the potter’s wheel starting from a ball of clay. They are then left to harden overnight. The bases are then tidied up and any handles will be added. The pieces are then left to completely dry for up to a week and then bisque fired. Pieces are then glazed in my own unique glaze recipes that are mixed up from a selection of ingredients. The bases are then wiped of any glaze and fired again to 1260 degrees. It takes between 2-3 weeks for each piece to be completed.

Dog and Hat

We shared a stand next to Libby at the Coffee House Project in 2018 and we just loved her and her range of amazing pottery... especially her recently launched Reusable Travel Mug.

It was only her immensely busy scheduled that has delayed us getting her and her wonderful cups into our General Store.