The home of Laura Brownsteele Ceramics and Obscuria Made

Robson Green's Weekend Escapes

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Robson Green's Weekend Escapes -

Hello.

Welcome to the studio. I am Laura. I make pots. Some good, some weird.

There are two branches to the pottery I make, Traditional shapes with a modern twist *see my giant teacups… and significantly more sculptural pottery that tells you a story, if you’re looking for my Obscuria pottery, see here

I started pottery back in School I then went to university (back in the day when everyone went to university for everything, Thanks Tony.) and studied fine art. I focused on sculpture but once I left uni (after a short interlude doing a job that wasn’t me) I came back to pottery and found a love for functional ware and throwing on the wheel. Fast forward a couple of hundred years, some other jobs, some children (ones I gave birth to, not rando’s off the street) some other nonsense and now I have a studio in the town where I live where I make my pots.

I also do the occasional workshop and I am joined in the studio by some other potters as part of our little pottery community which I love!

The website is a place for me to provide updates on what I’ve been making and where to buy. It’s also a place for you to sign up for my newsletter and for my blog, Studio Stuff.

Shop.

I sell my work through Etsy and in a local shop in Northumberland. I also attend some markets here in the UK. I will post markets I’m attending in my Newsletters as well as on my social media accounts. I will also try to upload them here so you can find out where you can come and buy in person or just come and see the pots IRL and have a crack (bring Tea, I always have biscuits on me!) I tend not to do commissions as dealing with clay and people’s expectations can sometimes be tricky, but if it was a suggestion of an idea or something based on a specific folktale, contact me, and we can have a chat and see where it leads us. Some of the best things come from just asking a question.

Blog.

Get a cuppa, possibly a biccie and have a read, learn about life as a potter, life as a potter’s puppa in the studio (she is called Penny) and what I am making. You will also get some folklore and folktales, as well as my perspective on living a more seasonal life following the Celtic wheel of the year and how I celebrate the different seasons, what I like to do, cook, eat and make that keeps me grounded in the here and now and taking things slow. I live for a cozy life so I hope that it gives you the warm and fuzzies and acts as a way for you to just pause the madness for a few moments and do something that is calm, and slow. Enjoy the stillness, it doesn’t happen often.

Artist Bio.

I have been working with clay for over 15 years now, initially focusing on sculpture. I was a latecomer to the wheel, but once I started, there was no going back. I now throw functional ware and add sculpture to it, I still make stand-alone sculptures also, but love the idea of using a mug for your morning coffee that tells you tale.

My work is deeply rooted in folklore, drawing from myths, legends, and the echoes of forgotten histories. Through ceramics, I explore the intersection of storytelling and craftsmanship, creating sculptural pieces that evoke the beauty and mystery of ancient ruins and functional ware that carries the essence of these tales.

The functional ware I create is thrown on the wheel and then has intricate surface design, sculpted details, and sgraffito to tell the stories Meanwhile, my sculptural pieces capture the remnants of lost worlds, tempting you to imagine the stories they once held. By blending tradition with narrative, I seek to create work that feels both timeless and evocative—objects that connect people to the rich, enduring power of folklore, folktales and myth.

Where to see more.

You can follow me on my socials to see what I am currently making and up to. You’ll get to see some Puppa updates too, I have one for LBC and one for Obscuria Made.