Hi, I'm Ellie

I’m an islander from Shetland with a passion for the sea I am surrounded by, and the coastline I wander.

I find the sea to be like an old friend that’s always there; I often return to it to help soothe the storms of the mind and when I need an energy that matches my own.

The sea provides me a continuous flow of inspiration and beauty, and as such I’m committed to protecting the environment as much I can. Encouraging others to do so too is vital; all of my pieces are packaged and shipped in recyclable, eco friendly materials. As beautiful as our seas are, they are also in crisis.

I create my ceramic pieces in reflection of this, to share with you my love for the sea and hopefully bring you a sense of connection to the wild while using my pieces. And ultimately, to bring a piece of Shetland’s beautiful coastline into your home.

THERE IS beauty TO BE FOUND IN NATURE, WHEREVER YOU look.

The piece is left to dry out for up to a week until it is ready for its first firing in the kiln, I glaze each piece by hand in such a way as to reflect the way the sea moves onto sand, with gentle movement. Once more the piece is fired in the kiln, to the highest temperature it must go through, until its journey is complete and the piece is finished.

A woman (Ellie Duncan) sitting on a Shetland clifftop looking out to sea with a seagull flying by

All my pieces are hand-crafted by me, in my studio in Shetland; the shape, form and colours inspired by the sea that surrounds these islands.

For each piece I make, the beginning of the journey starts as a simple lump of clay. From this I create a piece with just my hands and a few tools through throwing and trimming the clay on my potter’s wheel. I make sure to be attentive to all the little details in each piece I am working on.

SHOP Ceramics →

SHOP Prints →

FAQs

+ How quickly will my order be shipped from placing an order?

Due to a large quantity of orders being placed at one time, dispatch time make take up to a week and a half. Please be in touch if you require your parcel to be shipped for a certain date.

+ Can I collect my order from you on Shetland?

Yes, you can! As I live on the island Yell, I no longer offer the collection option at checkout, but if you are able to collect from my studio on Yell please be in touch and I can refund you your postage cost.

+ What happens if my pieces arrive broken?

If your pottery arrives broken throughout shipping, I will replace your piece or refund you. I require a picture of the broken piece for this.

+ How do you ensure that my ceramic pieces are well protected throughout shipping?

I take a great deal of time and care in ensuring that every parcel containing my handmade ceramics is well packed. I use the eco-friendly version of bubble wrap to wrap around each piece, the ceramics are then cushioned with starch based packing peanuts inside a double-walled box.

+ Who is responsible for import taxes?

The buyer is responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply.

+ Do you accept returns , exchanges and cancellations?

Yes, I accept them gladly! Contact me within: 7 days of delivery. Ship items back within: 14 days of delivery. Request a cancellation within: 24 hours of purchase. Please note, the buyer is responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is damaged upon return, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

+ Is a refund possible, if I am not happy with a piece?

Yes, it is. Please first send me an email, with a picture of the received piece, and the reason why you are not happy with it. You can send pottery back to me, using the same address it came from. Please pack as carefully as possible. After receiving the piece, the refunds will be transferred back to you within 30 business days. Please note, The buyer is responsible for initial shipping costs AND return shipping costs, If the item is damaged upon return, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.

+ How can I best take care of my handmade ceramics?

To retain the quality of your piece and ensure longevity, hand-washing with a non-abrasive cloth or sponge in warm soapy water is recommended. Avoid placing in extreme hot or cold environments such as an oven or freezer, as this could cause thermal shock and result in fragility and cracking/or breakage.

+ Can pieces be gift wrapped?

Each piece is already wrapped in tissue paper with a collection name sticker, followed by bubble wrap and packed to ensure the safety of each piece throughout shipping. If you would like a personal message inside the order, send me an email to request this.

+ Do you use eco-friendly packaging?

It is very important to me to use eco-friendly packaging for the shipment of my ceramics. You will find that I use an eco-friendly paper wrap in place of bubble wrap, and starch based loose fill to ensure the safety of my ceramic pieces throughout shipping. You can pop the starch based loose fill into your compost or they can dissolve into water and be put down the drain (which is completely safe as they are plant based) or even better - re-use the packing peanuts!

+ Are handmade ceramics dishwasher and microwave safe?

My ceramic pieces can go in both the mocrowave and dishwasher, but to get the most out of your unique ceramic piece I would advise you not to use these appliances on ceramics.

+ What else do I need to know about your pottery?

Since all my products are handmade, each piece is unique and there might be slight differences between each one. Sometimes the bowls might be not totally round due to the high temperature they go through for strength and durability, or the glaze-nuance might vary a bit from piece to piece, and between each fire. The weight can also sometimes vary between the same kind of pieces. Please remember, these small differences in shape, colour and weight is actually what creates the character and beauty, and emphasize the difference between hand made and industrial factory made products.