For as long as I can remember I've always had a love for all things craft. When I was a child I'd always be making something. After school art programmes on TV were my absolute favourite and I’d always try to replicate their makes, from cards to an orange paper mache cat covered in confetti (which was a little strange now that I think about it), I'd try making anything!

As I got older it was clear to me that I wanted to do something creative, I just didn't know what. I had chosen subject likes Art and Graphics at college but they didn’t feel right and I never really enjoyed it. It wasn’t until my second year at college that things changed and I fell in love with my craft by accident. Me being a lover of the way the universe works I believe the universe had other plans for me as I forgot to enrol on to my second year at college. (For some strange reason I thought it was the day after everyone else and I didn’t even question it!) I got a phone call on the day of enrolment as my tutor was wondering where I was and rushed to get there, I think I washed by hair in record time that day! Anyway, I eventually got there just as everyone was leaving and was met by my frustrated tutor. We went through my enrichment course options where I planned on doing origami but as I was late to enrol the spaces were filled and I was left with ceramics as my only choice in the creative field. I took my first class not soon after and I was hooked! I guess you could say it was blessing in disguise.

After college I took a year to do a foundation course in Art and Design where I was re-introduced to clay in all its wonderfulness. I then went onto study the applied arts course, Design Crafts, at De Montfort University, where I specalised in ceramics. I LOVED it! I had the support of an amazing technician who taught me pretty much everything I know about ceramics and nurtured my interest in the craft. Naturally, I had lots of questions and wanted to push myself as much as I could and I feel so lucky to have had someone like her guiding me along the way.

Once I graduated in 2014, I wanted to set up at home and start selling my work, but it wasn’t until over a year later I was able to do that. With the help and support of my family members, it was possible for me to buy a kiln and get started! I can honestly say if it wasn’t for their support, I don’t think I would have had the courage to start up. So whilst working part time at various jobs over the years, I was able to experiment and figure out what sort of items I wanted to make.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a perfectionist, especially when it comes to making, so above everything else I knew I wanted to create high quality pieces. I also wanted to create something which was unique and could be gifted or brought for a range of occasions all year round. I thought the heart being universal was the perfect motif to bring all occasions together. I’m a lover of simple forms and clean, fresh interiors. I’m drawn to pieces which are not overly complicated but have that little something that makes them different from anything else so I decided to create a range that was just that.

It was scary starting out, not knowing how my items would be received but the more I shared on social media and Etsy my confidence and loyal customer base began to grow. I remember one lovely lady had messaged me asking if I make oil burners. I told her it was something that was on my list of things to do for such a long time but never got around to it and would do so soon. Her response, “that’s ok, I’ll wait until you make it” For someone who had never purchased from me before to have that confidence in me and my work felt so good! She waited a good few months and was so pleased with her purchase!

Platforms like Instagram and Etsy have allowed me to do what I love and share it with those special people who love unique, handmade items and appreciate all the work that goes into them. There’s no better feeling than knowing your love and hard work for your craft shows in the pieces that are made and are recognised by those who buy my work.

This is my journey so far… To keep up to date with the latest makes and behind the scenes follow me on Instagram @sejalceramics. See you there!
https://www.instagram.com/sejalceramics x