Our home and the objects they are filled with have become our world. The home is now our cafe, restaurant and workplace; full of the objects we have collected. These objects provide the backdrop to our daily lives and routines. The tableware we use; from our favourite mug that we drink our tea from to the bowl we have our morning cereal in can shape and enhance our daily experience. Handmade tableware has the ability to add meaning into the everyday. Each object has a story and an emotional connection. There is a joy found in feeling connected to the maker and to the object we hold in our hands.

“They’re quiet pots which are made for daily use.”

Jessica Joslin’s tableware is a combination of functionality and beauty. A palette of muted greys, whites, browns and greens often with iron speckles and drips of glaze. Subtle tonal variations that reveal the colour of the clay underneath. They have a rustic finish which is a nod to her country roots whilst simultaneously remaining modern and simple. They are not fussy or too precious, their beauty lies in their simplicity and balance. They are beautiful objects that are inviting to use. Jess’s throw rings, drips of glaze, squeezes of clay are left visible. “I’m inspired by the process, making slight changes to simplify - removing a step or leaving my markings more visible. What happens if I don't finish with a kidney and leave the throwing rings on this part? Or leaving marks from the glazing tongs?”

“I’m interested in the materials and how they behave, I favour glazes that move and have a lot of variation, revealing drips and faint markings from the glazing process.”

Clay has been the fabric of Jess’ life, starting as a child in her father’s pottery studio and then continuing to study it throughout her life. Her work has a calm sensibility and is beautifully crafted. Jess’ experience and skilled craftsmanship allow her to experiment with glaze and surface texture with her tableware forms remaining sensitive to their intended function.

Since 2013 Jess’ studio has been based in Stepney City Farm, East London, where she is a craftsperson in residence. Jess has found her own sanctuary to make her pottery, a slice of rural life in the city. Her farm surroundings and pottery upbringing infuse into her tableware.They encompass a sense of pleasure in making, deep material knowledge and an authenticity. 

Jess teaches ceramic workshops, specialising in the potter’s wheel. The rise in popularity of ceramics has given Jess the freedom to focus on her pottery and to be based full time in her studio. The popularity of handmade ceramics has also surged in coffee shops and restaurants. Our love for good food has created a symbiosis between the two, people enjoy knowing the provenance of their food and what it is served on. Beautiful ceramic backdrops enhance the dining experience, fitting with modern sensibilities. Jess’s latest collaborations include restaurants Skosh in York, Ikoyi and Pophams Bakery in central London.

Pophams  Bakery was founded by Yvonna’s son - Ollie Gold. The artisanal bakery uses traditional techniques to create hand-crafted pastries and fresh pasta using small, local producers. To mirror their handcrafted food they wanted tableware from a local potter. Tableware that would both withstand excessive use as well as underline the ethos of the bakery. The collaboration between Ollie and Jess started by his selection of shapes and glazes from Jess’s collection to suit Pophams aesthetic. “Now that I have been supplying Pophams for a while the briefs are looser which I really enjoy, there is trust now. I might get a "what about an egg cup?" and then I come up with a few options for them to choose from.”

“The studio is actually very peaceful and I can get fresh eggs which I need for all of the baking I've been doing. I've also dusted off my bicycle and am really enjoying the emptier roads on my commute”.

The farm is currently closed to the public but Jess can still use her studio. The lockdown has pretty much-changed everything in the studio for Jess. Restaurant projects at different stages have all been put on hold. But she is determined to put the time to good use and is finally being able to work on some more personal projects - a wood firing later in the year and work on a larger scale. A couple of summers ago Jess went to Alfred University and spent a week learning about ceramic chemistry. She is now using this time to experiment and put into practise the things she learnt, tweaking her existing glazes. “The farm has become even more of a sanctuary than before. Somewhere I can have a walkabout after lunch and it’s been a busy time with all the lambs. There is something new to see every week and I feel very lucky to have behind the scenes access”. 

During moments of disconnection the simple pleasure of good food or drink from our favourite ceramics can provide some comfort. It can instil a sense joy in feeling a connection to the maker, our past, and to the material itself. Jess’ work is available to buy from our online shop.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAFIA SHAKARCHI