Interviewer: Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Raquel, the talented artisan  and owner behind Creative Clay. Raquel, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with  us. Can you start by telling us a little bit about your background and how Creative Clay came  to be? 

Raquel: Thank you for having me! I spent a number of years working in a pottery factory in Shannon where they mass produces slip cast tableware. It was a valuable experience however running my own business making my own design is where my passion was so in 2015 I had the opportunity to realise my dream and Creative Clay was born.

Interviewer: Your work has such a unique and recognisable style. How would you describe your artistic approach? 

Raquel: I would say my style is very much influenced by the landscape, the colours, and the rugged textures of the Burren in Co Clare. I am very much inspired by wildflowers and the resilience of nature. I try to infuse that organic essence into my work giving each piece a raw imperfect beauty. As they are handmade no two pieces are ever the same

Interviewer: What does a typical day in the studio look like for you? 

Raquel: I generally start my day with following up on emails and reviewing orders. My work follows a 3-week schedule because that's how long it takes to process each piece and make enough items to fill the kiln. During the first week I prepare the clay by rolling  into slabs and cutting out the template for each piece. The pieces then need to dry to a leather-hard state. Once dry enough, I refer to my order book and spend 4-5 days making the required items. After making the pieces, they need to be left for a few days to dry out completely. Meanwhile, I start prepping the clay for the next cycle. By now we are into week 2 and all items are meticulously handpainted in under glaze colours, this is a really relaxing part of the process. This can take 2 - 3 days. The Pieces are then loaded into the kiln for the first firing to 960 degrees which takes 48 hours. Next they are glazed, which is very messy but also the most nerve wracking part and exciting part because once they go onto the kiln again this time to 1200 degrees that's where the magic happens the are transformed into the beautiful finished pieces that are Creative Clay

Interviewer: Speaking of glazing, your colour palettes are always so striking. How do you  choose your colours? 

Raquel: I draw a lot of inspiration from the Irish landscape—depictions of wildflowers,  butterflies, and ladybirds, symbolising the resilience and elegance present in all forms of life  on earth. It’s a bit of trial and error in the beginning, but that’s part of the fun! 

Interviewer: What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Raquel: For me, the most rewarding part is seeing my pieces find a home where they are  appreciated and loved. I put a lot of myself into each creation, so knowing that someone  else values and enjoys that piece of art is incredibly fulfilling. I also love the idea that my  work can bring a bit of joy or beauty into someone’s daily life. 

Interviewer: Finally, what’s next for Creative Clay? Do you have any exciting projects or plans on the horizon? 

Raquel: I am always looking for ways to push my creativity and explore new ideas. Currently, I am trying to carve out some time to experiment with two new products in 2025. As I mentioned earlier, my work is slab-built, made from rolled-out slabs of clay. Well, I am going to start making some coil-built pieces, which will allow me to create round forms.

Interviewer: That sounds fantastic! We can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you so much for  sharing your story with us, Raquel.  

Raquel: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure talking with you.