B&B: Can you tell about history of your ceramics studio? 

Pottery West: We have been running the studio officially for just over a year but have been working with ceramics for approximately three years now. We're not traditionally trained in ceramics (Matt studied Design and Catherine Fine Art), but since graduating from Goldsmiths in 2011 and moving to Sheffield we began to take classes and things moved quickly from there. Making pots is extremely addictive! It is a very rewarding experience to be collaborating with one an other. Our studio is at the Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield. It's a great community and we get a lot out of working alongside other artists and makers. 

B&B: How you can describe style of your homeware? What inspires you to create so elegant ceramics? 

Pottery West: We describe our work as being simple, functional hand thrown pottery for everyday use. We like to use very minimal and unfussy forms, matching  them with tactile and rich glazes that give a rustic sensibility. I think our style is a medieval minimalism! Often with ceramics, because it is extremely process based, makers get very caught up in the skill side of things which can produce ceramics which are very impressive but not always aesthetically pleasing. It is our objective to focus on aesthetics and function in equal measure.

B&B: I know you have made coffee cups for a Roastery and Cafe. Do you love coffee too? What coffee do you prefer? 

Pottery West: Yes, coffee is always good! Catherine is pregnant at the moment so is on decaff but Matt's current favourite is a Monmouth coffee called 'Kanja' from Kenya. We enjoy working with people who are interested in coffee - they often want us to make something which is very precise and ergonomical but which is also beautiful -this is a welcome challenge for us.

Thank you, Catherine and Matt for this wonderful collaboration! 

Learn more about Pottery West here:

www.potterywest.co.uk