Banwell Pottery Christmas cards and festive ceramics on Etsy!
Banwell Pottery, near Weston-super-Mare, is a Brandon social enterprise that supports people with learning disabilities and/or autism, to design, make, and sell a wide selection of bold and creative ceramic products, specialising in handmade tiles and decorations.
Over the last year, they have been developing plans to sell their items online, and we're pleased to announce, just in time for Christmas 2020, you can now buy a range of selected items from the Banwell Pottery shop on Etsy.
Supported employees
The Banwell potters gain skills across the whole production process, from design through to the finished item, and beyond. As well as developing their creative skills, the supported employees gain transferable work skills including administrative tasks such as time management and stock-taking.
Being employed and doing something they love, means a lot to the potters. One supported employee, Hayley, told us:
"When my work is sold, it's amazing! It's nice to see my own work for sale."
Seasonal themes
The Pottery's range is often inspired by seasonal themes, for example, the International Bristol Balloon Fiesta in summer. The hot air balloon scenes are so popular during the Fiesta that it is a challenge to keep up with demand.
The Banwell Christmas designs are also a highly sought-after range. Each year, the team comes up with fresh designs and set about making packs of cards, hanging tree decorations, bunting, magnets, trinket dishes, and other beautiful ceramic gifts.
Hot off the production line, and new for Christmas 2020, are these individual ceramic cards and cute nativity bunting and we've had great feedback already. One recent customer said:
"Absolutely beautiful handmade card, almost too lovely to give away and certainly one that is worth keeping."
Browse the Christmas range
The three Brandon charity shops in Bristol usually have a small stock of Banwell Pottery items for sale throughout the year. Sadly, the shops are currently closed through lockdown, but fear not – the fantastic Christmas range is now available to buy from the Banwell Pottery Etsy shop.
And the potters are rather excited about their new online venture. Project coordinator, Dianne Slingsby, said:
"We get so much satisfaction from the thought of our products jetting off all over the place while our potters are unable to.
"Every sale causes excitement and we have a World map on the wall which we put a sticker on for each sale. We've had sales in Europe and the USA so far!"
Every sale directly helps people we support
Why not check out the full range of colourful, unique ceramics and cards, and give a loved one a beautiful gift to treasure. What's more, when you buy an item from Banwell Pottery, you are directly helping someone with a learning disability, autism, or both, to live the life they choose. The proceeds from all sales goes directly back into the enterprise.
Head on over to the Banwell Pottery Etsy store now. Don't delay – we have a limited stock of some items and they're selling fast!
