Steph Liddle - The nacho illuminati, huggable pies and ceramics

Ceramicist Steph Little joins me this week to talk about going from taking an evening class to falling in love with ceramics and making a living from it. At the core of everything she does is this lovely warmth and homeliness (if that’s even a word). It feels like she’s always doodling ideas in her sketch pad and then some actually make it into the clay. The geometric patterns that Steph is now known for come from rice, pasta and noodles. Food is definitely a common theme developed from her degree show work of single bed lasagnes and huggable pies. We delve deep into her process and how that has developed over the past few years. It feels like she’s at a bit of a pivotal point in her career at the moment. She makes beautiful handcrafted products and has built a great brand around herself but she needs to take it to the next level. To make a comfortable living from her work but retain the handmade and crafted qualities. It is always a difficult point in any creative career and as Steph is doing it’s about looking at your audience, reconsidering your working processes and your prices points. There is no ‘right answer’ it’s about finding what works for you and where you can sit in the market. I’m particularly looking forward to her future lines in scented jewellery and Nacho Illuminati merchandise. Tea Green events has clearly been a great thing to be part of for Steph and it’s a model that definitely works. That level of curation of makers and an audience is exactly what makers need. As has been talked about on previous episodes, I think it’s really important for makers to get together in this way. To showcase the brilliant things that are going on and to show that you can buy products much more locally. I’d urge you to go and check out Steph’s amazing work and pop along to one of the Tea Green Events to see the work and meet the makers. Tea green events - http://www.teagreen.co.uk/ My Dad Wrote a Porno Podcast - http://www.mydadwroteaporno.com/ Me and Orla - https://meandorla.co.uk/category/podcast/ Explore your Enthusiasm - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/explore-your-enthusiasm-tara-swiger-craft-art-business/id865574105?mt=2 Don’t salt my game - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/dont-salt-my-game-with-laura-thomas-phd/id1111787243?mt=2 Steph’s website - https://www.stephliddle.com/ Steph’s twitter - https://www.instagram.com/steph.liddle/ Steph’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stephliddleceramics