COMMISSIONING PIECES

Something made just for you

Some pieces begin with an idea. Others begin with a material, a shape, a place, a memory or simply a feeling.

If you have seen something within the Naturally Rare collection that has already found a home, or you have an idea for something a little more personal, I would love to hear from you.

I take on a small number of commissions for pieces that feel right for Naturally Rare and for the way I work. These might be inspired by an existing ceramic piece, created for a particular space, made in a different size or finish, or developed from an idea we shape together.

The important bit is that it will never be an exact copy.

Everything I make is shaped by hand and has its own character. The clay moves, glazes develop differently in the kiln, natural materials have their own markings and no two pieces ever quite tell the same story.

That is part of what makes a commission so special.

Inspired by the original

If you are commissioning a new version of a Naturally Rare piece, I can use the original as a starting point while allowing the new piece to develop its own character.

If you are coming to me with a completely new idea, I am always happy to take inspiration from nature, organic forms, colours, textures, places and materials. What I will not do is directly copy or reproduce another artist’s work.

There may be gentle variations in:

Shape and form
Texture and surface markings
Glaze movement and colouring
Size and proportions
Natural markings and materials

Every commissioned piece will be individually made and allowed to find its own personality along the way. Even when inspired by something I have created before, no two pieces will ever be exactly the same.

The process

We will start with a conversation.

You can tell me what has caught your eye, where the piece will live, any particular size or colours you have in mind, and anything else that feels important.

From there, I can let you know what may be possible and provide an estimated price and timescale before we go ahead.

For handmade ceramic commissions, please allow approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the point the commission is agreed.

Ceramics are wonderfully slow things. Your piece needs time to be shaped, dried properly, bisque fired, glazed and then fired again before it is ready to leave the studio. Larger or more complex pieces may take a little longer, and ceramics do occasionally like to work to their own timetable!

If your commission involves reclaimed, salvaged or natural materials, timings may also depend on finding exactly the right piece to work with. I would always rather wait for something that feels right than force something that does not.

A little freedom goes a long way

The commissions I enjoy most are those where there is a shared idea but still a little room for creativity.

You are absolutely welcome to tell me what you love, what you do not, the colours you are drawn to and what you hope the finished piece will feel like.

But part of commissioning something handmade is also allowing the materials and making process to have a voice of their own.

If you are looking for something completely identical, perfectly uniform or reproduced to an exact factory specification, Naturally Rare probably will not be the right fit.

If, however, you love individuality, natural variation and the idea of owning something that nobody else will ever have quite the same version of, then we are probably going to get along rather well.

Pricing

If you are commissioning a new version of a piece I have made before, the price will usually be the same as the original piece shown.

If you would like to change the size, materials, finish or design, or you have something completely new in mind, I will provide a price once we have chatted through the details.

For larger or more involved commissions, a deposit may be required to secure the work and cover materials. Any payment arrangements will always be agreed with you before I begin.

Ready to start a conversation?

You do not need to have the whole idea worked out.

You might simply have seen a piece you love, have a particular corner of your home in mind, or have the beginnings of an idea that you would like to explore.

Send me a message and tell me a little about what you are thinking. Photographs of the space, approximate measurements and links to Naturally Rare pieces you are drawn to are always helpful.

I would love to hear what you have in mind! Just pop me a message using the contact form below.