Footprints

Let’s be honest, hand-made pots are a luxury, and they use the world’s resources, converting ancient muds permanently into ceramic. I am the first to argue the importance of Art in our society, and of Craft in our everyday lives, but we all need to think about what we buy, how often, and how much.

The surge of interest in Craft, in slow-living, in rethinking our use of plastics, is beginning to impact on the way makers think about their practice. I have always thought of scraps and off-cuts from one piece as the seeds of new work, and clay can be reclaimed and recycled almost endlessly before committing it to its transformation into ceramic. - I have often considered stopping making work altogether.

The goal is, ultimately, to have your work appreciated and out there in peoples homes and lives, and packaging is a key part of that journey. In the past I have sent out work smothered in tape and bubble wrap and even cushioned with foam, but with the profits from the first sale from my web-shop, I invested in environmentally friendly packaging:

I am now using 100% recycled (and recyclable) cardboard boxes, starch-based packing chips (which can be dissolved in water), and a 100% paper wrap as a replacement for plastic bubble-wrap.

As a final step, and dissatisfied with plastic packing tape, I have bought a “Water Activated Tape” (gum-tape) dispenser. Again this stuff is 100% recyclable, so whilst there are plenty of problems with emissions, and materials in many other areas of the ceramics process, I am making progress in small but decisive ways, and will continue to examine my practice with sustainability in mind.

The wrap I am using, (Geami WrapPak) made by Ranpak consists of a brown paper layer, and a tissue interleaf, and seems to be a very ingenious solution. I have contacted Ranpak to see if the tissue layer is bleached, as it does appear very white, and I will update this post once I hear back from them.

So if you do think about buying from me, and helping support what I do, then rest assured that the packing is not a guilty secret, (and none of this is sponsored by the way).