Fay George-Sheppard

At 17 Fay apprenticed in Athens with a tenth generation Greek potter, before moving to Rhodes where she took up a further apprenticeship with a potter whose work involved producing large sculptural pieces.
Fay then moved on to Berlin, setting up a communal pottery and gallery. During this time, Fay also worked as a pottery teacher in several schools for those with special needs.
From Berlin, Fay then moved to Mexico and ran pottery classes at the Instituto Allende, a prominent institution of the Arts endorsed by the University of Guanajuato.
After her time in Mexico, Fay returned to England, and upon discovering Amberley Working Museum, became the resident potter in 2003.
Fay enjoys making traditional English county earthenware. She has more recently discovered white stoneware, and also enjoys experimenting with glazes. The wheel-thrown bowl is her favourite form. As Fay says, "It is not until you hold your bowl in your hands that you know whether it works or not. I think 'we are what we eat off', and I feel something like a hand-thrown plate with a traditional honey glaze makes every meal that little bit more special".

Tilly Leaf Carrigan

Tilly has been working with ceramics for 11 years, having completed a studio ceramics degree at Falmouth College of Arts in Cornwall. She specialised in coil built stoneware and alongside this had studied intensively into glaze technology, different clays and their properties, firing methods and temperature ranges. She also gained considerable experience of throwing on the potters wheel, hand building and mould making.
Tilly's work is often based on the environment and the natural landscapes which interest her, and relate closely to people and human nature.
Since coming to Amberley in February 2006, she has been dedicating her time to throwing on the potters wheel, really enjoying producing the functional ware for everyday use that Fay and her produce and sell at Amberley.
Tilly feels that becoming a craftsperson at an inspiring location as Amberley Working Museum and to work alongside other craftspeople is a real privilege, and she hopes to bring some traditional skills from a new generation to the Museum.

Projects can be undertaken by the Potters upon request, and they can be contacted via the Museum on 01798 831370.

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