Why I never waste clay

When I first started Tadwick Ceramics, I made a promise to myself: no clay would ever be wasted. Every off cut, every trimming, every bit of slip that dries on the table would find its way back into the creative cycle.

It might sound like a small thing - but for me, it’s at the heart of what Tadwick stands for: care, craft, and conscious practice.

The nature of clay

Clay is extraordinary. It’s ancient, tactile, and endlessly reusable. If you treat it with respect, it gives you second (third and fourth) chances. A piece that collapses on the wheel can be reclaimed, wedged, and reused.

In a world where everything moves too quickly - where broken things are replaced instead of repaired - I love working with a material that insists on being reused until I am happy with the outcome.

How I recycle clay in the studio

At Tadwick, every piece of clay is part of a cycle:

1. Trimmings are saved – When I trim a pot, all the clay go into a reclaim bucket.

2. Dry scraps are soaked – Once they’ve dried, I add water, let soak and turn them back into a smooth slurry which is then dried out on plaster board.

3. The clay is re-wedged – After a few days, it’s firm enough to be kneaded, ready for the wheel again.

This process takes time and patience, but it keeps me connected to the rhythm of making. It also means nothing goes to landfill - even the smallest scraps have potential.

Why sustainability matters in small studios

For small-batch makers like me, sustainability is a way of working. Every decision, from glaze choice to packaging, affects the planet in some way.

By reclaiming and reusing clay, I reduce waste, lower costs, and create a more planet friendly studio. It’s a reminder that good design doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment.

The beauty of imperfection

Recycled clay sometimes has a personality of its own - especially if you mix clays. The marbling effect that can be achieved with different colours and textures of clay make each piece a new discovery.

My studio mantra is: nothing is wasted, everything transforms.

A studio that reflects my values

Tadwick Ceramics isn’t about perfection or mass production. It’s about creating objects that feel honest - pieces that you’ll use every day and keep for a lifetime.

My hope is that when you hold a Tadwick mug or bowl, you can sense the love that has gone in to it.