Crafted Tableware Trends: Do They Follow or Create the Latest Styles?

I wanted to be a potter almost from the moment that I gained a basic mastery of throwing as a teenager. Becoming a brand or small business was never part of that motivation. Today, as a designer-maker, I find myself balancing the artistic journey of creating beautiful, timeless tableware with the practical demands of a business. This blog explores whether we, as artisans, follow tableware trends - or if, perhaps, we create them.

As a small designer-maker business, it often feels like there’s a constant push to chase the latest trends, keep up with competitors, and create that immediate “wow” factor. But for many artisans, including myself, the pace of craftsmanship doesn’t align with these demands, and the process requires patience, precision, and deep creative focus.

The Crafting Process: More than Just Following Trends

In my own practice, each piece of tableware evolves at a pace set by the materials and techniques involved. Crafting a single item takes a minimum of four weeks, with stages of drying, firing, glazing, and re-firing. Designing something entirely new often calls for contemplation and review after production. At times, I find that I need to go through this entire process more than once to achieve a piece worthy of my collection.

Whether I’m working on my Ambit tableware range (crafted by others to my design) or my studio collection of tableware and vases that I make myself, this development period can span several months. During that time, I also balance the many responsibilities of running a small business - meeting the demands of the larger marketplace can feel out of sync with my creative rhythms.

Crafting for Longevity, Not Fads

For many makers, myself included, the drive to create comes from a desire to make beautiful, well-crafted pieces that last. Our tableware isn’t made to be throw-away; it’s meant to be enjoyed for years. To achieve that, I aim to infuse my designs with timelessness, ensuring they look beautiful and feel inviting for everyday use.

Instead of chasing trends, I find myself exploring ideas that resonate with me, trusting that others will find meaning in them as well. I’ve been creating long enough to see that sometimes my designs align closely with market trends—while other times, pieces I’ve shelved become popular years later. This unpredictability is something I’ve come to accept. My primary motivation remains the journey of creating something special, not necessarily something instantly popular.

Case in Point: The Spiral Collection

Take, for example, my Spiral Collection, introduced in 2019. It wasn’t an instant hit but, over time, demand has grown, allowing me to refine the collection to focus on bowls. This time lapse has given me space to make thoughtful adjustments to the collection and further develop its distinctive character.

Do Artisans Set Trends in Tableware?

I firmly believe that the creative work of small designer-makers significantly influences the larger market. However, while our impact on mainstream tableware trends is undeniable, the benefits don’t always reach the artisans. For many of us, the drive to create is a more significant motivator than the drive to sell.

With only so many hours in a day, I find it easy to choose creating original work over chasing trends, confident that authenticity in design will resonate with those who appreciate the crafted touch.

For a brief demonstration of how the spiral decorations achieved, follow this link