ARTISTS TALKING

I relocated to Stoke-on-Trent and was provided with access to the facilities at Staffordshire University as part of the deal. Having studied ceramic design, moving to the Potteries was a natural progression, with workshops to develop and prototype ideas and readily available factories that are willing to produce my work. Seeking out small factories or 'pot shops' to batch produce my work has indeed been a fascinating process.

Exhibiting my prototypes at '100% Design' at Earls Court last summer produced a positive reaction to my products and introduced me to a number of retailers. It also had an effect on my workload. Working as a single entity involves managing all aspects of the design process from prototyping, sourcing manufacturing and packaging through to marketing and distribution. It requires a high level of commitment and the need to focus on the best ideas if any financial reward is to be forthcoming. Unfortunately my recent accounts demonstrate that reward may be a while off yet.

I also work part time as a designer for the Design Laboratory, a creative consultancy affiliated with Central St Martins College of Art and Design. Apart from being a lot of fun – and my only stable source of income – it has introduced me to a vibrant multidisciplinary approach to design, involving exhibitions, interiors, products, packaging and branding. The effect has been to stimulate many more ideas and open up new creative directions in my own practice. I am also taking on the project management of the merchandising for a London-based charity, and collaborations with friends/fellow designers are always being discussed.

And therein lies the paradox: the more opportunities that open up, the more ideas one has, the less time there is to pursue them. Creating new work and developing opportunities is the fun part, but my reluctance to sensibly control these activities is having a negative impact on my bank balance. In short, the more serious business of getting existing products to market and actually selling my designs has been slightly neglected.

For me, self-employment in the creative industries has always been an ideal – it is the possibility of continual change that is the attraction. I enjoy the autonomy and flexibility to reinvent my working practice and test new creative directions. However, I am slowly learning the lesson that it is sometimes good to go with what you've got.