We catch up with local, Surrey-based ceramicist Jayne Redmond...
For most mums this time of year marks the beginning of weeks of work – the endless shopping, cooking and wrapping that achieving the perfect family Christmas demands.
But for one Weybridge mum, the season also marks the culmination of a year’s hard graft as the fruits of her labour fly off the shelves.
“It’s basically Christmas all year round for me,” says ceramicist Jayne Redmond whose handmade baubles are currently selling like hot cakes in Harrods.
“We already know what themes we will be working on for next year,” she reveals.
“In January, I start working on the individual designs and by February all the painting, glazing and firing of around 3,000 baubles begins. Everything is done by hand – with help from my mum – from my parents’ Surrey home.”
After studying art and design in Dublin, Jayne set up a paint-your-own-pottery business in the suburb of Blackrock in 2005. While her customers got stuck into creating their particular projects, Jayne spent every spare moment painting her own pottery pieces which she then gave as gifts to friends and family. The positive comments from all those who received her ceramics convinced Jayne to concentrate solely on her designs.
Following the family’s move to Surrey in 2013, Jayne began creating bespoke designs for customers on plates, bowls or mugs to mark such occasions as engagements, weddings and christenings. She became a regular around the Surrey craft market scene also selling her ceramics into small gift shops around the county.
“Eventually I thought I would try and get the pieces into bigger retailers,” Jayne explains. “It is difficult for small businesses to know how to grow. You have to be prepared for rejection but if you don’t try you won’t ever know.
“I sent a lot of emails to the major department stores, then I had a reply from Harrods, saying ‘Yes please – could we have 500 baubles in three designs’. There isn’t a more famous shop in the world, so I was absolutely delighted.”
During their four-year collaboration, Jayne’s exclusive to Harrods Christmas designs has included everything from circus animals to the planets, all painted in traditional hues associated with the period.
This year’s theme is ‘German markets’ which has seen Jayne focusing on alpine scenes, gingerbread men and of course the nutcracker. As well as the seasonal designs, Jayne also sells a range of London inspired products comprising the famous Grenadier Guard and red bus monikers, as well as Big Ben, which are all a big hit with tourists.
Following the ornaments’ popularity, Jayne was asked to set up a pop-up within Harrods’ Christmas section, to personalise baubles for customers. Once in situ in the Knightsbridge store, the hard work really begins as Jayne and her small team are on hand from 11 am-8 pm every day until Christmas Eve.
“It’s wonderful to see people taking such time over their selection, they really care about the designs and who they are for,” she says. “Lots of them chat to us while we paint and tell us who the bauble is for, why they wanted something special and so on.”
You would think then that by December, Jayne has had more than enough of Christmas.
“No, not at all,” she exclaims. “Although it does mean I have to be very organised about everything at home. I still get very excited and being in such a festive environment is so much fun. I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be with my baubles.”
Jayne has teamed up with Tommy’s Charity (which funds research into miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth) to create a personalised bauble framed by a traditional festive wreath and red berries. Priced at £15, 50% will be donated to Tommy’s. For more information, visit: jayneredmond.co.uk
