Hands full of clay, heart full of love

I’m Jacqui, the potter behind Jacqui B Ceramics. I create small‑batch, hand‑built pottery inspired by my love of English Flora, African adventures, and the quiet rituals that make everyday life feel meaningful. Every piece is made slowly, intentionally, and with a whole lot of love here in Stoke‑on‑Trent.

🏺 How I Started Working With Clay

Before 2023 I had barely touched a lump of clay, but moving to Stoke‑on‑Trent — a city where I didn’t know a single soul — meant I needed to find a way to meet people. Growing up in Wilmslow, Cheshire, I always knew Stoke as the home of English pottery, so joining a ceramics class felt like the perfect way to make friends and learn something creative.

From day one, I was hooked. I have an amazing teacher, Master Craftsman - Jon French, who guided me through the basics and taught me how to throw on the wheel. I quickly discovered the therapeutic nature of clay — how it pulls you away from everyday life and into a cocoon of muddy bliss. Being in a class also meant learning from others with far more experience, all of whom were generous with their skills, knowledge, and encouragement.

🔥 My Making Process

Since those early days my work has greatly improved, as you can imagine, and now I work in small batches, allowing each piece to move through its own rhythm — from forming, to drying, to glazing, to firing. My firing cycle takes around six weeks, which means every mug, vase, or bowl carries the story of time, care, and slow craft. I love the imperfections that emerge naturally. They’re not flaws — they’re fingerprints of the handmade process.

🌍 What Inspires My Work

I had the privilege of living in Zimbabwe for ten wonderful years and much of my influence in my more recent pieces come from the colours, animals, textures and culture of Africa. It is such a rich and vibrant place to live, and more recent pieces carry many of the memories and passion that I have from my time there.

But, I am also an English girl through and through and I take inspiration from my own garden or unusual plants and leaf forms I come across on my walks in the countryside.

💛 Thank You for Being Here

Every purchase supports a real person, a small studio, and a craft built on patience, passion and love. Whether you’re starting a pottery collection, choosing a handmade gift, or discovering my work for the first time — I’m grateful you’re here.