Category Archives: commissions

Bunting & Garlands

February 27, 2011   Charlotte   2 Comments
A customer asked me to make some hearts bunting for her little girls bedroom last week. What a lovely idea, her daughter is only 3, the youngest person to own some of my ceramics I think! I really enjoyed making this. The completed hearts were threaded onto pink ribbon – I’d been waiting to use my pink ribbon for a while!



Bunting is a lovely way of decorating your home or garden. I particularly like it displayed in front of a window or across a mantle piece. There are a few decorative garlands/bunting left in the Hanging Decorations section of my website, each one is unique!

Posted in: bunting, ceramic bunting, ceramic garlands, commissions, garlands
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Latest Personalised Commission

February 23, 2011   Charlotte   1 Comment

If you ‘like’ Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics on facebook, you might have seen details of my latest personalised commission earlier this week. I was asked to make a set of coasters and magnets for some of the performers in a local theatre show, to give as keep sake gifts.

I thought it was a nice idea. The magnets were for the children in the show and the coasters were for the pianists and musical directors. I was a little worried about engraving the musical ‘clef’ symbol into clay, but after much practice I think I cracked it!

Posted in: commissions, handmade ceramic coasters, handmade magnets, personalised ceramics
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Personalised Plaques

January 09, 2011   Charlotte   1 Comment
Looking for a special Valentines gift or got a wedding coming up? My heart shaped ceramic plaques make great personalised gifts for your loved ones.

I can customise plaques with names, specific wording or personalised detail. Feel free to get in touch if you are interested in a custom made plaque, but please bear in mind that delivery would be up to 3-4 weeks, although usually sooner.
For more details or to purchase your very own personalised heart plaque please click here.

Posted in: ceramic plaques, commissions, heart plaque, valentines gift, wedding gift
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Commissioned Vase

November 04, 2010   Charlotte   1 Comment

This vase was made as a Christmas gift for the customers Mum. She gave me the wording she wanted to be engraved and trailed around the vase, and I think it has turned out quite nice. The overall finish is definitely organic and natural. I love the subtle effects of the surface decoration, it reminds me of a snowy mountain.


I have e-mailed photos of the vase to the customer and am really pleased that she is happy with it, it’s always a worry making commissioned items, especially when they are personalised.
If any of my blog readers are interested in a commissioned piece of work, personalised or not, feel free to contact me for details. Whatever your requirements, I would be happy to help! Now is the best time to get in touch to avoid disappointment on delivery if the item needs to be with you in time for Christmas.



Posted in: ceramic vases, commissioned vase, commissions, handmade vase, My Work, natural
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Commissioned Plaques

August 04, 2010   Charlotte   No comments
Two of my latest orders have been for plaques with customised engraved wording. I enjoy making these, especially knowing that the wording means something special to someone else.

This plaque below was made as a wedding gift. I hope the bride & groom like it. Personalised name plaques would also make great anniversary or christening gifts.


This plaque below was made for a busy man who has just finished building his new shed – The plaque should make a nice finishing touch.


My handmade ceramic plaques are suitable for interior or exterior display, and can be customised to suit your requirements. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in a custom plaque.
Posted in: ceramic plaques, ceramic signs, commissions, wall plaques
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Round-up of the week

July 02, 2010   Charlotte   2 Comments

Although the sun hasn’t been shining as much, it has still been very hot and humid this week. I prefer making things from my workshop in the evening when it’s a bit cooler.


I’m hoping the sun has his hat on again ready for the weekend, I’m going to a friends BBQ tomorrow and some sunshine would be nice. I’m taking along a big bowl of home made potato salad, so I’d better get making that tonight.

I love this photo of me and my Dad’s dog Gnasher in the hammock. Isn’t he cute?

I’m happy with my orders and other things related to my ceramics that have been going on this week. First of all, a lady who purchased two of my ceramic heart paper weights (below) from the craft fair last weekend has contacted me in need of some more. I plan to make loads more as these are popular little purchases at craft fairs.
I’ve had 2 orders for plaques – one heart shape with 2 peoples names engraved, it is going to be a wedding present. And a rectangular plaque with ‘Daddy’s Shed’ engraved – I thought that was a cute idea! These plaques are in progress at the moment.


Have you ever visited the Folksy Blog? There is so much going on over there at the moment, including shop owner interviews, and valuable information for crafters including many craft fair hints and tips. This weeks topic on craft fairs is “How much stock do I need to bring?” – Definitely a good read – Some of my own tips and my craft fair essentials check list is included in the article. I have also been featured on the Folksy blog in a post called an Introduction to Pottery – well worth a read if you are interested!

Thank you to Elissa of Not Just Handbags for featuring my Bark Dish (below) in her Nature themed picks from Folksy on her blog today.


This week I’ve had a page added to the Potter’s Gallery on the Pottery Crafts website, featuring a profile about me and my work, and a large selection of images of my work. Check it out here! There are also some other great potters in the gallery, I especially like the work of Jude Howe.


One of my images displayed in the gallery is of this set of Natural Leaf Coasters.

Other big news is from the craft fair at Castle Ashby last weekend – I was approached by one of the other stall holders, Adam Jordan, one of the current members of the Northamptonshire Guild of Designer Craftsmen. Here’s what the Guild is all about:

“Northamptonshire Guild of Designer Craftsmen has been in existence since 1990, with a membership of around 30 craftsmen and women, making high quality products in wood, metal, plastics, glass, clay and textiles.

The guild aims to encourage the highest standards of craftsmenship and design and encourage interest in, and awareness of crafts.

The guild seeks to bring together individuals, who generally work in isolation, to promote their work collectively. Exhibitions in galleries, provides an opportunity for makers to bring special and innovative pieces to a wider audience. In addition we also set up smaller displays in public venues such as tourist information centres and arts centres to maintain a high public profile for the guild and it’s activities.”


Adam said he thought my work was of a high enough standard to approach the Guild about becoming a member myself. I’m now in the process of organising a date to go and present my work to a jury panel at the Guild. I’m a little nervous, as I’ve never presented my work to a panel before, but I think as soon as I get into it I’ll be fine.

If I am selected to become a member, I will have my own page on the website, the opportunity to exhibit at approx 3 exhibitions per year with other members, and connection to a network of crafts people in the county. It sounds very exciting, I’ll let you know how it goes! The images above are a selection of some of the current members’ work.
I better crack on with that potato salad… What are you up to this weekend?

Posted in: commissions, News, northamptonshire guild of designer craftsmen, pottery crafts
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Order for Pendants

May 19, 2010   Charlotte   3 Comments
When I got back from my holiday I had lots of e-mails waiting for me. One of them was from someone asking if I could make a selection of ceramic pendants that they could use for their jewellery. The lady wanted a range of butterflies, hearts and tear drop shapes. She also specified which pendants needed to be textured, which ones she wanted plain and which colours to decorate them in. Having never tried this before, it was an exciting challenge and I enjoyed trying something new. Just over a week later and here they are…


I melted a few bits of glass on some of them, I think this has turned out well. I can just imagine them on necklaces!



Each pendant has been individually wrapped and packaged, and will be posted out to the customer tomorrow. I really hope she likes them. She has kindly said she will send me some photos of her jewellery when she has used my pendants, I can’t wait to see! I’ll show you when I get them.

What do you think? Should I make more?
Oh… and here’s Molly watching me photograph the pendants in the garden. (That’s when she wasn’t walking all over everything and getting in the way!)
Posted in: ceramic pendants, commissions, molly, My Work, pendants
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Trip to Dairy Farm & some more news

March 08, 2010   Charlotte   1 Comment


We visited a local dairy farm at the weekend, where they are holding a series of lambing weekends throughout March. It was a lovely day, the sun was so bright and its the first time I’d seen clear blue skies in a while. I got a bit too excited by the sun and thought I’d be ok without a coat, and soon realised I was wrong when the cold winds starting blowing! But it really felt more like spring, especially seeing the lambs.


The little guy above was my favourite, he was very curious! It was also nice to see the mummy sheep looking after their babies. A few of them started stomping their hooves on the ground when too many people crowded the pens, I think they were trying to protect their babies and scare the people away. There were lots of sheep still waiting give birth.


We could have stayed at the farm all day admiring the cute lambs and waiting for some movement from the sheep, but the cold wind sent us home into the warmth to cook a roast dinner.

We did have a wander round some of the little shops near to the farm, and it was outside the flower shop where we came across this cheeky cat sunbathing on the flower stand!

~ News ~
Aside from visiting the lambs and enjoying the sunny weekend, I was pleased to have made a sale on Swanky Maison. I’ve also added a few new items to my product range on Swanky Maison so be sure to check them out for some last minute Mothers Day gifts!

Other exciting news included my Bumpy Hill Ceramic Pot being featured in an article on The Storque on Etsy, which is their handmade blog linked from the home page and gets lots of views per day.

I was also excited to receive an order from a follower on Twitter at the weekend – which started from general chatting with a follower I didn’t know I had! The order is for a big plant pot so I’m working on that at the moment. Will be keeping you up to date with progress photos!

PLUS I am a featured sponsor on the popular Rikrak Studio Blog in March, and there is an “I Love my Sponsors Giveaway” going on over there. All you have to do is visit each of the 32 different sponsors’ shops (including mine!), and leave separate comments saying which items are your favourite. The winner will receive a $25.00 gift voucher for any of the sponsors’ online shops. Good luck!

Posted in: commissions, dairy farm, etsy, etsy storque, lambs, News, order, plant pot, sales, swanky maison, Trips, twitter
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Latest News & Commissions

November 19, 2009   Charlotte   No comments
Here are two latest commission pieces that are now settled in their new homes. The new owner of this hand built ceramic sculptural vessel piece has placed it outside at the bottom of her driveway, as she didn’t have a sign leading to her house. She lives deep in the countryside and plans to fill the vessel with gravel. I think it will look great in the natural surroundings.

This dish was made for a customer who wanted a nice earthy and organic gift for his mum as a Christmas present. I really like the flowing shape of it, and the colours which aren’t much different to those used on the vessel above. I melted some recycled green glass into the bottom of this dish which was pooled in the centre, producing a nice glimmering effect when the light catches it. The customer was pleased, I hope his mum is pleased with it on Christmas day.

My new online shop on my website is going well. I’m slowly adding more and more products so keep checking back to see whats been newly updated.
You might remember the class of autistic students who visited my exhibition in September, and used my work as inspiration for their clay project. (To view the post, click here.) I sent the students and their teacher a bowl and lots of decorative magnets today, as a thank you to them and an early Christmas gift. The teacher knows to expect the parcel but it is a surprise to the students, and says she will display my bowl where all visitors will see it. I hope they like it!
In the meantime I’m preparing for my next craft fair on Sunday. I’ll let you know how it goes next week :)


Posted in: commissions, General, handmade ceramics, News
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Latest Commissions

September 17, 2009   Charlotte   No comments
I’ve been working on a few personalised commissions lately, and now finally have them all complete. All thats left to do is get them packaged and sent to the customers, I really hope they are going to be pleased!

This is a dish for a lady I met at one of my local craft fairs, the Bishop’s Tachbrook Horticultural Show in Leamington. She had a jewellery stand opposite me and came over at the end of the day to ask if I could make a dish for her Mum and Dad’s ruby wedding anniversary.

She really liked the melted glass effect in the bottom of some of my bowls on display, but I wasn’t sure it would look as effective with the engraved writing she wanted in the dish. So I said I would try it with clear glass rather than coloured, and it has worked well, with the wording still visible. I’m pleased with this one!

Next is one of my sculptural vessels with more engraved wording. This customer wanted the words engraved into the surface from the song she danced to at her wedding, as it is an anniversary gift to her husband. She also said that her husband loves wood and trees so I rolled the sections of clay onto my plaster mould with a bark impression in it, before constructing the form.

I didn’t have much to work with because the customer only gave me the name of the song, the preferred colours, and her budget – she wanted me to come up with my own design and form of the piece. In a way this was good because I didn’t have to work towards an exact requirement, but it was also quite scary because I wasn’t sure if she would like it or not! I’m hoping her husband will be pleased too.



Here’s the piece in my workshop when the making process was complete. At this stage it hadn’t been coloured with oxides, glazed, or fired yet.


Lastly here’s another ceramic plaque for someones workshop. This commission was actually for someone who saw the other plaque I had made in a previous post on my blog. I already posted this one last week and the customer loves it, so thats one less to worry about!

I joined Flickr the other day, is anyone else on it? I didn’t realise how good it was, it’s like having your own extra site with a profile, contacts, groups to join, and loads of space to store and show off your images in folders. Thats another new thing to add to my list of things to keep up with now! You can click here to view my Flickr Photostream, and view some of the albums I’ve created.
Posted in: commissions, handmade ceramics, My Work
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    I hope you enjoy my news and updates about Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics. My blog is home to my latest work in progress, new work fresh from the kiln, craft projects, favourite recipes, inspiration, trips and holidays, and a little bit of life in general. I like to think of my blog as a place where you can get to know more behind the maker of the work on this website. Please feel free to comment on any of my posts - I would love to hear from you!

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