Tucked away in a beautiful garden studio in Walthamstow, East London, Lulu creates stunning, small-batch ceramic pieces deeply rooted in the slow, deliberate craft of the potter’s wheel. Born from a love of homeware, Lulu’s work embodies the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in the natural, honest, and slightly irregular. From handleless tumblers to the perfect olive bowl, her pottery reflects the relaxed, convivial spirit of her East London community.
We sat down with Lulu, who even found her Walthamstow home through Estates East, to talk about her obsession with the kiln’s unpredictability, the surprising length of the ceramic process, and how her local neighbourhood inspires every piece.
What initially sparked your passion for pottery, and how did you decide to turn that interest into a small-batch business, right here in Walthamstow?
I’ve always been obsessed with interiors and homeware, so when my husband booked me a wheel-throwing course at the brilliant Turning Earth in Leyton, I was instantly hooked. The idea that I could imagine something I wanted in my home, and then actually make it, was so exciting to me. I was completely addicted.
It took a long time to build the skills. Wheel-throwing is something you can’t rush; it requires patience, practice, and a willingness to get muddy and wrestle clay until it finally listens to you.
Once my skills caught up with my imagination, I started playing with form and style. The idea behind Lulu came not long after my daughter, Rudie, was born. Life shifted from going out to staying in, but in the best way: friends over, wine poured, snacks on the table, long conversations.
I started designing pieces for those moments: things that elevate time with friends and family.
You have a deep love for Japanese pottery. What elements from that tradition do you feel are most present in the functional, beautiful pieces you create?
The Japanese idea of wabi-sabi really speaks to me; it’s about appreciating things that feel natural, honest, and a bit irregular. In ceramics, that means the marks and quirks that happen during making aren’t something to hide. They’re what make a piece feel alive. I often use glazes and clay bodies that react unpredictably in the kiln, so each piece comes out slightly different. That individuality is what I love—you can tell it was made by hand.
I also look to Japanese forms for inspiration. My tumblers, for example, are based on the traditional tea bowl: handleless and lifted slightly on a small foot. It’s a tiny detail, but it gives the piece a quiet presence. My goal is always the same: to make pottery that fits into everyday life but still makes the moment feel a bit more special.
As a small-batch potter, walk us through a bit of the process. How long does it take for a piece, from a lump of clay to the finished, glazed item, to be ready for a home?
I recently worked out that a small item takes about 1 week, 4 days, and 38 minutes from start to finish and that’s before any of the designing or testing even begins. It’s a slow process. And while I sometimes wish it were quicker, it does mean I have to genuinely love and value each piece enough to put that time into it.
I usually work in batches of around 20 pieces for my website, small enough to keep me creatively engaged and to give each piece proper attention.
I also do wholesale orders or retail runs, which are much bigger. There’s a different kind of satisfaction in those—looking at shelves full of almost identical pieces and seeing that consistency lined up in a row.
Your ceramics are specifically designed for ‘chilled evenings spent sharing food and drinks’. How do you ensure your pieces balance functionality with beauty to enhance those shared moments?
I always start designing with a moment, or even a specific menu in mind. Functionality comes first—how the piece will sit on a table, in a hand, beside a wine glass. Then I build the aesthetic around that. Making functional things beautiful is the heart of what I do.
We’re so proud to know you found your home and the location for your garden studio through Estates East! How important was finding this specific East London home and garden to your dream, and in what ways does being a Walthamstow maker influence your work?
Finding our house was a huge catalyst for becoming a “proper potter.”
Buying a home gives you that sense of a fresh start, so I found myself dreaming bigger. Moving from a flat to a house meant I could finally obsess about how to fill it. My Pinterest boards were full of ceramics, and that’s where my aesthetic really sharpened.
The outhouse at the end of my garden, originally my office, became the perfect foundation for a studio. When we bought the house, I hadn’t even started pottery, so it feels serendipitous now.
And being in Walthamstow genuinely made it all feel possible. There’s such a strong community of creative, independent people here. My first pop-up happened because a new friend opening Stori on St Mary’s Road just said, “Mate, put some pieces in for Christmas!” That’s very Walthamstow.
Tell us about your new collection! What was the main inspiration behind the shapes, glazes, or colours?
I make my pieces with hosting in mind—pieces that elevate time spent with friends and family. This collection is designed for relaxed dinner parties: olive bowls, dip platters, and generous sharing bowls.
Music is a huge part of my hosting and my process. All my glaze recipes are named after songs you’d typically hear spinning on my record player when you come over for a glass of wine.
Is there a star piece in the new collection, something you’re particularly proud of or that you think perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Pottery by Lulu?
Definitely the olive bowl, which was featured in the Observer Food Monthly as a “Must Buy.” It’s one of my favourite designs. The small section underneath for pips just works, simple but genuinely useful.
I also love that people say it’s the perfect gift for men. I originally designed it with my olive-obsessed husband in mind, so it’s satisfying to know it’s doing exactly what it was created to do.
Finally, how can the local community best connect with you and purchase the new pieces? Do you have any plans for local markets or open studio events?
My work is available at lulu-pottery.co.uk, and over Christmas, you’ll also find pieces for sale at Hucks, my favourite local café. I also take on some commissions, stock businesses and work with like-minded businesses who’d like to see their brand (or an idea they have) brought to life in clay.
I’ll be sharing a few exciting projects and new stockists next year, so keep an eye out. You can also follow along on Instagram at @lulu_pottery.