The Full Story
About Us
Handmade Ceramics Shaped by Curiosity, Craft and Creative Freedom
Village Ceramics & Crafts is the shared creative journey of Lin and Ian Jeffery — two makers who discovered, later in life, the joy of working slowly, intentionally, and with materials that have a mind of their own. What began as personal exploration has grown into a small studio in rural Lincolnshire where we make expressive ceramics, raku vessels, functional pieces, and occasional kiln-formed glass, all in small batches and with an unwavering commitment to craft.
Our work is rooted in curiosity, experimentation, and the sheer pleasure of making.
Lin Jeffery
Finding Joy in Clay
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After a lifetime behind a desk, early retirement opened the door for Lin to rediscover her creativity. In 2020, she took what she calls “a leap of faith” into ceramics — perhaps a pandemic-induced aberration, but one that instantly felt like home.
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Sitting in front of a lump of clay for the first time, unsure of what to do with it, sparked a journey filled with discovery, challenge and delight. With tuition in 2021 and countless hours in the studio since, Lin has honed her technique while preserving the sense of play that first drew her in.
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She continues to develop her throwing skills, but embraces every part of the craft: handbuilding, slab work, slip decoration, glazing, and experimenting with different firing styles. The thing she loves most? The unpredictability. You can never be completely certain what will emerge from the kiln — and that, for Lin, is where the magic lies.
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Her work reflects this spirit: gentle forms, quietly expressive surfaces, and pieces that celebrate the beauty of the unexpected.
Ian Jeffery
From Glass to Clay — A Shift in Dimension
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Ian’s creative life began in glass. In 2002 he earned a City & Guilds qualification in Stained Glass Design and built a practice crafting leaded windows, doors and mirrors. He later moved into kiln-forming — fusing and casting glass — exhibiting his work locally and at galleries along the south coast.
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Glass taught him patience, precision, heat, and chemistry. But in 2020, ceramics called. Clay offered something glass never could: true sculptural freedom. A chance to work directly with form, surface and physical texture. A medium with history, earthiness and limitless expression.
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Since then, Ian has explored ceramics in depth — from slip-casting delicate porcelain to developing distinctive studio glazes and immersing himself in the technical and philosophical world of raku. His practice blends the structural discipline learned in glass with a love for experimentation. He continues to refine his throwing, but often returns to the meditative rhythm of hand-building.
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His work leans toward bold forms, elemental surfaces and the unpredictable beauty of raku firing, where every piece becomes a one-off record of flame and smoke.
A Shared Studio, A Shared Ethos
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Together, we work from our small Lincolnshire studio — a calm, creative space warmed by a woodburning stove in winter and powered by solar energy in summer. Here, everything is made by hand, thoughtfully, in small batches. We develop our own glazes, test firing schedules endlessly, and celebrate both the successes and the spectacular failures that come with making ceramics the traditional way.
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Our ethos is simple:
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Craft slowly
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Work mindfully
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Honour the material
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Embrace unpredictability
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Make pieces that last
We believe that handmade objects bring warmth and meaning to everyday life — and that no two pieces should ever look the same.
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What We Make
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We create:
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Raku vessels and decorative pieces
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Hand-built forms inspired by landscape and texture
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Wheel-thrown bowls, vases and functional ware
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Porcelain slip-cast work
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Occasional kiln-formed glass pieces
All our ceramics are fired in small batches, with many pieces made using solar-powered electric kilns — a modern twist on a traditional craft that reflects our commitment to sustainable making.
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Why We Do It
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Because clay grounds us.
Because the kiln always surprises us.
Because the process is as important as the outcome.
Because handmade work matters.
Because creating beautiful, expressive objects — pieces that people cherish, use and collect — is deeply rewarding.
Village Ceramics & Crafts isn’t just a studio. It’s a partnership built on curiosity, learning, resilience and the joy of making. We’re delighted to share our work with you.