Sophie from Zosia Ceramics


Sophie from Zosia Ceramics is an East Anglian based potter. She makes functional wares such as mugs, plates and vases using warm-toned stoneware clay. 

The designs are often loose interpretations of traditional shapes and patterns. She is inspired by the unique and handmade forms found in medieval pottery and Polish 'Cepelia' (folk) objects. 

Find our curated collection of Zosia Ceramics beautiful work here.


Where are you based?
Cambridgeshire, UK

Do you have a morning routine / daily ritual before arriving to your studio?
I love to have a slow morning even though in an ideal world I’d be out there immediately from the early hours. I try not to feel bad about the fact that I will take a bit longer to get into the swing of things each day. It is partly a colder weather habit, but I’ve always loved breakfast time and all the comforts around that. I use that time to catch up with emails and Instagram, do any admin work, and enjoy my first cup of coffee.

What does a typical day at your studio look like?
If it’s a making day, I will spend the first half weighing and making up the balls of clay for throwing. And then I’ll spend the second half throwing. If it’s a decorating and glazing day I will spend the first half of the day sanding, signing and waxing the bottoms of each pot. And once the wax resist has dried, I’ll spend the second half of the day decorating and glazing.

How did Zosia Ceramics begin?
I took a casual class in 2017 and knew that I’d finally found something I could be truly passionate about. Zosia Ceramics didn’t really begin until after losing my mum to cancer. It became a vehicle for my healing process (as well as tending to my garden). I developed the blue flowers pattern, which was my way of commemorating my mum. She would always doodle flowers in birthday cards, and it was like something just clicked into place. I’d suddenly found my style and the shapes I wanted to make.

How would you describe Zosia's ethos?
There are no mistakes, only surprises that naturally come with the flow of life. They may seem frustrating in the moment but with time they will become beautiful.

Where do you source your materials?
I currently source my materials from a UK-based family-run supplier.

How long does each piece take to make?
It’s hard to say as there are so many stages in the process of making a pot. From the making of the vessel, to the tidying, decorating, glazing, and firing.

Did you study design anywhere or are you self taught and naturally fall into this work?
I didn’t study design formally, but I did take some casual classes. Although most of what I make now is wheel-thrown, I started out believing I would only ever be interested in hand building wares rather than using a wheel. This was mostly out of fear of the wheel if I’m honest, but also a bit because I really love the freedom you feel when you sit and play with clay at a table. I’ve come to learn that there is just as much freedom in throwing. And so a few years later I eventually found an old kick wheel online and I learnt how to throw on it in my own little shed.

How does your design process work from idea to finished product?
I don’t spend much or any time drawing up designs, I just want to get my hands on the clay and see what happens. I’ve always been creative but in other ways – writing, painting, singing, and playing guitar – but I think it’s the manual/tangible aspect to ceramics that appeals so much to me. If I do sketch ideas, it’ll be for the decoration rather than the shape. Almost always though, I let intuition take control in the moment. Each pot has their own individual nuances and part of the enjoyment for me is the spontaneity during the process of making.

What do you listen to or watch while you work?
Sometimes I’ll search up a classical playlist if I’m in the mood for calm creativity, or some songs that have nice memories attached to them, or songs I know the lyrics to so I can sing along. I also use the time to chat to loved ones on the phone whilst I’m engaging my hands.

Who inspires you?
I think inspiration for me is a general reaction to all the things I surround myself with – potters I follow online, paintings I’ve seen, people I love, beautiful memories. I also find that after a period of boredom or just doing very little, I feel a strong refilling of creative energy.

Where did the inspiration for your pieces for C et C makers collection come from?
The flower basket platter is inspired by a folk painting I saw in one of the traditional wooden huts I visited in Poland last summer. The painting was a small impressionistic basket of blue flowers.

The mugs and teacups are a result of being commissioned to make teacups and saucers. I was working on the shape and developed this two-tier form that I really loved making. I thought it would be a good canvas for the flower basket design. The short teacup is inspired by a friend who wanted a more open cup for his coffee. There’s something extra gratifying in making pieces to suit someone’s personal routine and preferences, whilst also giving me a chance to explore my own style.

How do you overcome creative lulls?
I benefit from having a time of doing nothing, or perhaps something different. I’ll soon enough feel that creative energy bubbling up again. It’s like allowing yourself seasons – storing the creative roots and seed under the soil for a time before turning it into something tangible, productive.

Do you have a favourite material to work with and why?
I love using oxides to decorate with because of their unpredictability. Just like with gardening, you might do something with intention but the plant (or oxide) has a life of its own. It’s a lesson in relinquishing control and just being excited for what you might find when you open the lid of the kiln. It really does seem like a magic box to me!

Do you have other projects in the pipeline?
I’m currently working on a couple of big wholesale orders for the first time, which is giving me a great chance to learn patience and repetition. And of course, I’m always playing with new ideas. I treat myself to making something new if I’ve been doing a lot of a specific shape. My most recent exploration has been frames for mirrors.

What are you reading at the moment?

What dream would you still like to fulfil?
I’ve always dreamed of getting family and friends somehow involved in my business – either hanging out and making pots for fun or getting all hands on deck for wrapping up a big order, something like that! Also, to have an insulated and warm studio ;)

What does a typical weekend look like?
Since becoming full-time potter, I’ve been trying to keep weekends for spending time with family, friends, and myself. I like to read, write, go for walks and visit interesting places.

Do you have any tips you'd like to share with other artists?
I still feel like I’m learning but I would say the things I’ve most recently tried to work on is engaging more with my audience on social media and in person, keeping more of a routine during the week, and trusting my intuition – doing what I love will most probably appeal to my audience more than trying to guess what will ‘do well’.