Clay, craft and creativity – highlights from Potfest

Potfest in the Pens returned to Melton Mowbray last weekend (7–9 Nov 2025) and it was just the tonic I needed as we head into damp days and dark evenings.

The unpretentious market-style event, held on 7–9 November, brings together a curated mix of established names and exciting newcomers, making it an ideal place to both browse and buy.

What I love about this festival is the way it stages pottery as both art and everyday object. As you walk through the rows of ceramics set in Melton’s agricultural market, you’ll meet sculptural pieces that ask you to pause and think, sat beside jugs and mugs that beg to be taken home and used (sshhh, don’t tell my husband, this year I bought two mugs…) This balance of the refined and the useful, the conceptual and the kitchen-ready, is what I love about the versatility and potential of clay.

It’s impressive how much variety can come from “just” one raw material. Stoneware, earthenware and porcelain each throw off entirely different possibilities and this is all on show at Potfest. I’m always drawn to a bit of hardy stoneware - @ajr_potter literally uses collected mountain rocks, minerals and oxides in his incredible Textures from the Earth series, but this year I was particularly taken with the paper-thin porcelain vessels created by @beccabrwn - so different and charming with their fine line drawings of everyday moments in life, from blow drying your hair to walking the dog, poo bag and all.

Stoneware cup with layered blue, white, green, red and dark brown glazes evoking mountains, by Andrew Richards Ceramics — Fig. 1 Mountain inspiration by Andrew Richards Ceramics

Porcelain platter by Becca Brown with a blue line drawing of a person blow-drying their hair — Fig. 2 Porcelain platter Becca Brown

@lucyormsbypottery drew us in with her tinkling flowers and whimsical patterns. Then I fell in love with the wall pieces produced by @ellul_ceramics - natural imprints with gorgeous touches of gold detail.

Close-up of a pleated off-white ceramic piece with leaf imprints radiating from the centre and a touch of gold — Fig. 3 Nature imprints bowl Lisa Ellul Ceramics

Glazed ceramic flowers on copper wire stems in a sage-green bud vase, by Lucy Ormsby — Fig. 4 Tinkling flowers by Lucy Ormsby

And then, a range of stalls that grabbed me with their joyous use of glazes - from the bold matt contrasting layers of @justinejennerpottery to the glossy bright circus fun of @sarahsaundersceramics and the hours of detail and love in the delightful pottery of @emilyhettart.

Turquoise ceramic vases with orange bands, one holding pink tulips, on a craft-show display — Fig. 5 Smooth bold designs by Justine Jenner

Hand-painted ceramic pots covered in bright floral patterns on a wooden table, by Emily Hett — Fig. 6 Riot of colour and detail by Emily Hett

Row of tall ceramic figure candlesticks with gold crowns, painted faces and patterned bodies, by Sarah Saunders — Fig. 7 Joyful fun from Sarah Saunders

One of the highlights for makers and visitors alike is the potters’ competition. At each Potfest, makers are invited to submit a piece that responds to a themed brief. The competition is a brilliant way to see how different makers interpret the same prompt - this year famous quotes and sayings. Some answer with humour, others with technical brilliance or quiet poetry.

Ceramic ‘Apothecary of Wise Words’ display with a clay shopkeeper figure and small stoneware bottles stamped with famous sayings — Fig. 8 Potfest makers competition entry

Spiral-textured clay bull sculpture surrounded by broken china in a market hall — Fig. 9 Potfest makers competition entry

Ceramic sculpture of a figure squashed under a cloud, inscribed ‘feeling a bit under the weather’, with a tiny umbrella on a purple cloth — Fig. 10 Potfest makers competition entry

I left this year’s Potfest with a renewed appreciation for the craft and buckets full of inspiration. Potfest demonstrates that ceramics can be simultaneously practical, beautiful and intellectually generous: a mug you use every morning can also be an object you admire, and a sculptural piece can still belong in domestic life. If you missed this year’s show, keep an eye on the Potfest website for future dates and the exhibitor gallery.

Come and make something real

Book a table Call 07543 112554 Text Email