How Cath and Jeremy Created Feldspar
Upping sticks from London to Dartmoor not only changed this husband-and-wife duo’s home life, but shaped their entire careers, too. Liberty finds out how their story began
Read more
How Cath and Jeremy Created Feldspar
Upping sticks from London to Dartmoor not only changed this husband-and-wife duo’s home life, but shaped their entire careers, too. Here, Liberty finds out how their story begun
By: Charlotte OlbyChampions of the creative spirit, we've always spotlighted those who go above and beyond to deliver the unexpected – and now we’d like to help push them forward. Join us as we share the stories of the most courageous changemakers, experimental artisans and progressive innovators that make the Liberty community so extraordinary.
Of course, for most, the natural process when moving your entire life from London to the wilds of Dartmoor, Devon, tends to be followed by a natural deceleration to life. But for Cath and Jeremy Brown, who initially moved in search of a slower pace and more space (both physically and mentally), ‘slowing down’ for them meant founding a cult design brand. Upon moving, they set about creating their own objects for life in the country and bought themselves a pottery wheel, teaching themselves to make ceramics using old books and rather patchy wifi. By Christmas, they’d created a 20-piece dinner set and founded Feldspar in 2016. Each product the duo creates is an instant classic – working elegantly as a set or sitting quietly chic as stand-alone pieces – using English fine bone china and endangered methods of slip casting and mould making. Here, Cath shares a little bit of their story with Liberty…
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THE MAKING OF FELDSPAR
How did you first get into pottery?
We moved to a big granite farmhouse on Dartmoor from a tiny flat in London and both our families decided to come for Christmas so we needed plates and bowls! We had always had strong ideas about design and what we liked and thought could be improved on, and are both quite creative so we bought a pottery wheel off a potter on the moor who taught us the basics, and then got a bit carried away!
Could you provide a little back story about your move from London to Devon and how that inspired your brand?
It wasn’t very well planned – we just hankered after more space and fresh air. We’d just had our eldest son and found an old farm to rent when he was a couple of months old and within a few weeks we’d moved! It was a time of adjustment for us – becoming parents and reassessing how we wanted to live our lives. Previously Jeremy worked for the UN setting up sustainable supply chains, and travelled all over the world all of the time and I worked as an architectural assistant, commuting into central London everyday. We just felt those lives weren’t really compatible with bringing up kids and actually spending time with them, so we packed them in and moved to the middle of nowhere, as you do!
How are you inspired by your surroundings in Devon?
It’s the space and the lack of stuff that inspire us most – we’re not constantly bombarded by things down in Devon, so it clears the mind and allows you to refine designs without noise. We go for long walks across fields and moorland to hash out ideas.
How would you describe your brand in an elevator pitch?
We make objects for life. Elegant and contemporary items, made with care by hand using heritage materials and processes.
When are you at your most creative?
Walking! Always when we’re walking around, or sketching with the kids (there are three of them now!)
What’s your biggest distraction?
The kids! It’s quite tricky to fit everything with young kids. Our working days are very short, we have to squeeze lots into a very short space of time.
What advice would you give someone looking to start their own brand?
Just make sure you’re doing something you really believe in and are proud of – if you’re making a really fantastic product people will notice.
Shop Cath and Jeremy's Wishlist
What does success look like to you?
Being able to continue making things properly, the old-fashioned way. And adding new skills and materials to the Feldspar collection (see: long term plan)!
What are your three best tips for creativity?
A walk, a doodle and a good cup of tea (in a Feldspar mug, naturally).