Nicola Crocker

On leaving school I trained as a Pastry Chef and worked in this industry for over 10 years. After having children my career took a backseat and I mainly had jobs that fitted in with their daily routine. However, in 2007 I was lucky enough to start on the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at North Devon College, this is where I fell in love with clay.

In 2011 I graduated with a Degree in Ceramics gaining a Distinction. I now have a small studio at home where I produce a range of hand-built and wheel thrown ceramics.

I am inspired by the coastline, landscape and surrounding environment in North Devon. Interested in the nature of the clay; the forms I can produce from it, the colours and how the two can work together. I enjoy the making process as well as seeing how people respond to my work.

My Landscape Series is made from Stoneware, crank clay. First bisque fired to 950° and then a second, glaze firing to 1020°. Glazes are layered up to give texture and variations in colour.

Larger Coastine pieces are made using Stoneware, crank clay. Smaller pieces are generally made with Black clay. All pieces are bisque fired to 950° and then glaze fired to 1220 – 1240°. I use a very runny glaze which when applied very thickly, runs during firing and pools into the middle – this gives a glass like appearance. The larger pieces are coated with Manganese on the outside.