Mellor Ware

I have registered with Liberty Best of British open day for 2012 and whilst looking at their website I came accross one of this years successsful designers Lianne Mellor of Mellor Ware ceramics. I was really impressed with Lianne's collection of tea party ware and it is not too far removed from what I produced for my final project at Uni. I emailed Lianne with some questions regarding her brand and business and she was kind enough to reply ... heres what she said ......

Why did you decided to produce ceramics after having graduated in architecture?

I started selling my illustrations at art markets in 2008, it was only in the summer holidays between my studies, but one I’d got the thrill of somebody wanted to buy something I’d created, there was no going back. When I graduated in 2009, I gave myself 12 months to turn my passion into a business, It was 3 months into this period when I decided that in order to create a viable business I’d have to design product. I’ve always loved tea party sets, so it seemed like a natural progression.

Is your collection manufactured in the Uk and if so do you intend to continue with this production method?

It certainly is. For markets and online, I hand decorate all the pieces with my decals and fire them in my tiny kiln. To fulfil the orders for Liberty, I use a manufacturer in Stoke. It’s hugely important to me to keep manufacture in the UK.

Did you get any grants to help set up your business?

I did a business start up course in 2010 on the Wirral, once my business plan was approved I received a £500 grant which I used to buy a digital camera and to go towards purchasing a kiln.


I know you would like to develop your range of goods so what is next on your list?

This month has seen the launch of three Mellor Ware tea towels (printed in Manchester). I’d love to design more kitchen textiles such as aprons and oven gloves!

Thanks so much Lianne for taking time out to answer my question . I wish you continued success with your lovely range of products.
http://www.mellorware.co.uk/index.htm

looks like we are in business!

I have seen a wonderful business adviser via Blue Orchid ,who feels that my ideas and products have sales potential and together we have drawn up an initial cash flow projection which looks like I have a viable business opportunity . I have also been given business funding from the bank which again is a positive sign in such a difficult financial climate . Another major bonus is my brilliant web developer Claire Worthington who is really putting her self out to help get things up and running . Every now and then in life things all come together and I feel that this is one of those times . My next step is to buy stock and start producing a product range to sell ...... watch this space !!
http://www.theblueorchid.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/#!/WorthyOnTheWeb

Post Graduation !

Well can you Adam and Eve it, I only went and got a degree !!!!! Its pretty unbelievable for a forty something single parent with a part time job and lots of other plates spinning ! The other funny thing is that I saw the course as a journey and experience more than a career move but I have actually sold some of my work , to my astonishment people seem to like it and have been happy to pay for it . So away with the self doubt and the negative comments ( I no longer have to tick boxes for tutors or conform to the constraints of the education system ) I am going to run with it !!!

I am currently attending business planning workshops , so let the scheming begin .........

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-Summers-Design/176963452360049

My Evaluation

Well what a journey ! I have loved it, learnt a lot about the technicalities and the history of art and design but most of all learnt a lot about my own behaviour.

I know now that I am constantly seeking approval and this has held me back and stopped me from doing my work for fear of failure. I am much wiser than I was three years ago and have a better understanding of what makes me tick, I feel confident to move forward with my art and embrace my own issues and exploit them with in my work .

I have most definitely developed a style and my presentation has got better, I still need to push my ideas and not just keep them in my head , I appreciate that my work is as valid as the next persons and I actually like some of the work in my final project.

I have met some genuinely lovely people both my fellow students , teachers and professional and the experience at Stockport College has been one of the most enriching of my life. Don't get me wrong it has not all been plain sailing, the second year was very tough, self doubt took hold and I almost through the towel in, a lack of confidence is a painful thing and public speaking very nearly got the better of me!

I am so glad I faced my fears and listened to the tutors wise (but often harsh) evaluations of me ,because it made me see the truth and has helped me to move on in more ways than one !

I am sad that my University days are numbered but also very happy and proud that I got to the end!I have a much more open view of the world I see every thing through the eyes of a designer ! get me !!!!

FMP images

These collages are a mix of found paper and fabric, all hand produced and representing personal issues . I have used my own drawings and produced all the work by hand . I feel that this collection is about me but could be developed to include many more representations of people , places and issues the possibilities are endless. I would be happy to produce commissioned work for other people. For example if you feel you have the qualities of a lion and you have issues with your job.... example as a police officer I will interpret the two and trap it in a frame .

FMP images

The rabbit is the creature that reappears again and again in my work so is very significant ( when i researched its meaning the rabbit can signify anything from insanity and innocence to promiscuity and fertility ! ) I have used animals who represent people from my life and illustrated issues that have trapped me by placing them in frames , The winged cloth dog is my attempt to represent escape and freedom ( from a glassless frame and a cage !). I also left some of the large rabbit design fabric hanging out of the frame to indicated it is not entirely contained.I used black and white because of its simplicity and bold appearance . I have had fun and produced work that is very personal to me , My focus was no about how commercially viable the designs would be , I wanted to make a personal statement.

cost pricing and selling

Financial restraints have definitely impacted on my final major project , I did not have the funds to purchase expensive materials and so recycling was the best option, I used a couple picture frames that i already had and purchased the rest at a cost of £60, fabric I used was £2 and £4.50 per meter, the crockery was from ikea's seconds and cost £1 per item, it then cost £15 to have my art work transferred onto a printable sheet for ceramics. I spent around £50 on card and paper and used my children's old clothes for the fabric collages . It cost £30 for trimmings , buttons , threads , glue , tape etc. having researched the craft market i have found that items sell for prices of any where between £4 right up to £460 , you can charge for your time, the materials and the hand crafted bespoke element , your over heads , shipping cost , at the end of the day your work is worth what people are willing to pay for it, I paid I found some interesting websites with lots of information on them !

http://www.ohboydenterprises.com/HowToPriceHandmadeGoods.html

http://www.makeforbusiness.com/directory.php?directory=Pricing

http://ukhandmade.co.uk/content/business-pricing-your-handmade-goods

http://ukhandmade.ning.com/forum/topics/how-do-you-work-out-the-price

For my degree show i have some funds available from the last installment of the student loan, through my contact with Claire Worthington I have found a lady who is going to make me some black and white cup cakes for the show 6 cakes will cost £12 , she has found me a company who can transfer my art onto icing to make toppers for the cakes and the price is 85 p per item.

I want to get some high quality black and white fabrics to make more textile items for the show .The craft council and some other craft organisations have some funding opportunities available

http://www.craftanddesignmonth.net/proposal.pdf

http://www.startacraftbusiness.co.uk/small-business-grants-funding.html

http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/craft-directory/opportunities/list/?type_guid%5B%5D=16

http://www.aah.org.uk/post/491

Apart from Etsy and Folksy , I see my own website as a way of making sales , I have also been approached by a couple of retailers via twitter and have a meeting with a shop owner in early August to discuss business options.