Notes from Herridge - Edition 06

Notes from Herridge - Edition 06

Hello, and welcome to the latest edition of Notes from Herridge.

A monthly update from my Oxfordshire pottery studio where I’ll share what I’ve been making, events coming up, and spotlight a fellow maker whose work I think you’ll love.

Grab a coffee and let’s catch up ☕ 

Studio Happenings 

November was a whirlwind of markets, commissions and kiln loads. I loved being back at Goring and heading to the annual Nettlebed Christmas Market for the first time. It gives me so much joy meeting customers, chatting with fellow makers, and feeling completely humbled (in the loveliest way) when someone tells me they’ve been following along for a while, and have travelled a considerable distance to meet me and shop Herridge in person. Thank you.

There’s something incredibly special about watching people choose gifts face to face, especially when they’re picking out that piece they know will mean something to someone they love.

But, as ever, I also heard the familiar phrase: “We don’t need another bowl.”
It always makes me smile. So this month, I decided to have a little fun with it, reflecting on all the things we supposedly “needed” in our own house. Does that feel familiar?!

Here’s a short video I put together…

The shop update also went live this month, and it’s been wonderful to see so many pieces find new homes… so much so that I’m already restocking a few favourites! I’ve been busy with a wonderful variety of commissions too; from personalised milestone gifts to, of course, plenty of custom pet bowls. One of my favourites from this month was a set for a gorgeous spaniel puppy called Stanley, who not only got his bowl but also needed a matching plate!

This time of year always brings such thoughtful requests, with family and friends actively seeking out meaningful gifts for the festive season. I’m currently working on a pair of mugs commissioned by an uncle for his niece, to celebrate her children’s birthdays, the kind of story I absolutely love being part of.

There was also a bit of chaos recently while relocating my smaller kiln to make space for the new big kiln… but it was worth it. The studio is now blissfully warm, although  this morning whilst it was -2°C outside it was +38°C inside when I opened the doors! I left it a while before I went in to start work!

What’s Coming Up 

Christmas Markets 

I’ll be popping up at Watlington and Hambleden this coming weekend.
If you’re local, it would be lovely to see you. These markets are a brilliant chance to shop small, meet makers, and perhaps find those last few meaningful gifts. I’m also hoping to finish off my own Christmas shopping!

Christmas Order Timings

I’ve now reached the stage where any new orders can’t be guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas, particularly if you’re further afield and relying on couriers.

I’m still throwing, glazing and firing daily, though, and will continue dispatching existing orders as quickly as possible.

New Additions & Restocks

Since the shop update, a few favourite pieces have been restocked or added, including:

If you’ve had your eye on something, now is a great time to take a look.

Bundle Offers

A little reminder that the gift bundles are available, they are automatically applied at checkout, and you can mix and match colours. Current bundles include:

Perfect gifts for hosts, coffee lovers, foodies, gardeners, or anyone who appreciates objects made slowly and intentionally.

Plus, enjoy free delivery on orders over £100 and free local delivery as always!

The Journey to 1,000 Instgram Followers

I’m edging close to 1,000 followers on Instagram, which feels both surreal and deeply heartwarming. I’ve never been one for vanity milestones, but this one matters for a different reason: it helps broaden the Herridge community so that more people who share the same values; slow living, thoughtful gifting, and meaningful making, can find their way here.

Over the past month there’s been a real surge in growth on the Herridge Instagram account, which has translated into more website traffic and more sales. So, like any sensible small business owner, I’m hoping to continue that momentum, especially in the run-up to Christmas, and I would love YOUR HELP.

To celebrate reaching 1,000 followers, I’m running a giveaway for a Herridge Pottery feasting bowl. The winner will be chosen at random once that milestone is achieved and will be able to choose from whatever feasting bowls are available at the time, or I can make one especially. 

If you’re not already following along on Instagram, I’d be so grateful if you did, and even more grateful if you shared the page with a friend.
For a chance to win any feasting bowl, simply:

Thank you, truly, for helping this small corner grow in such a kind and genuine way. Every follow, share, comment and message makes the world of difference......I know it sounds bizarre but it it REALLY helps.

Maker Spotlight — Moomi Botanicals

This month I had the absolute privilege of meeting up with Lyndsay — one half of Moomi Botanicals — in her wonderful little Nook just outside Henley. It was a bitterly cold morning, but with bright blue skies, sunshine pouring in, and the immediate, all-encompassing scent of honied meadows as you step inside, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was June.

It truly is a sensory experience: the fragrance, the sudden rainbow of colours, and the textured cascade of dried flowers hanging from the ceiling — all in striking contrast to the quiet, pared-back gardens of deep winter outside.

Moomi Botanicals is a floral design studio specialising in sustainable dried flowers — and very much a family affair. Lyndsay leads on the drying and floral design, while her mum, Anita, is the growing oracle, raising the vast majority of their flowers from seed before tending them in the paddock just across from the Nook. This year alone, they grew around 3,000 plants from seed in Lyndsay’s late grandfather’s greenhouse before transporting and planting them out on the paddock.

For both Lyndsay and Anita, approaching their business holistically and seeking the most sustainable solutions at every stage is absolutely fundamental. They see themselves as temporary stewards of their land; caring for it now so that it can be passed on in a healthier state for the future. This means no chemicals at any point in the growing or drying process, and a genuine commitment to working with nature. As Lyndsay puts it:

“If something gets eaten, so be it.”

She also notes that while more people are becoming aware of issues like microplastics in floral foam, far fewer realise how many chemical residues remain on many imported fresh and preserved flowers, another reason they’re committed to doing things differently.

One thing Lyndsay was keen to emphasise is that their dried designs are not meant to last forever. Instead, they’re created with a natural 3–4 month life in mind. Freeing themselves from the pressure to preserve stems for years allows far more creativity and freedom in what they choose to grow and dry. Depending on the brief, their work can also blend dried and fresh flowers. A lovely example is the external floral arch they created for Flyte Bar in Henley; a striking mix of fresh evergreens, autumnal foliage and British-grown seasonal flowers. Inspired by the bar’s deep aubergine interior and speakeasy feel, Lyndsay and Anita combined foliage such as Nandina and Pittosporum with seasonal chrysanthemums, amaranthus and naturally preserved beech to create something both dramatic and grounded in the season.

Inside the Nook, once the scent has washed over you, colour is the next sense to come sharply into focus. But interestingly, Lyndsay considers colour a secondary element in her designs. Shape, space and structure always come first. I asked whether, given that dried stems can be harvested throughout the year, if she ever mixes flowers from different seasons; a peony from May with a dahlia from September, for example. “Yes, in theory there’s nothing wrong with that,” she told me, “but every design still needs to carry the feeling of the current season.” Otherwise, it can sit uncomfortably, “like wearing a thick wool jumper in July.”

Before she reaches for a single stem, Lyndsay also wants to ensure that her design reflects the story and provenance of the commission. The newly opened Warings Bakery in Henley is a lovely example: the window installation features wheat ears alongside dried hops and flowers, offering an airy nod to the bakery’s craft and its core ingredient. She hopes anyone walking past might feel a moment of connection; a brief sense of being transported to a wheat field. A touch of storytelling, woven through the design.

One question I’ve started asking each maker is: who is their customer? For Lyndsay, the answer lies mostly in long-term contracts with hospitality and retail businesses, creating installations that reflect the identity and story of each place. But she also has a parallel passion. Before founding Moomi Botanicals, Lyndsay trained as a veterinary nurse and taught veterinary clinical skills. She hasn’t been able to leave the teaching world behind entirely, and now channels that love of guiding and demystifying skills into her workshops.

These workshops are hands-on, beginner-friendly sessions using their own locally grown and naturally dried flowers. Current workshops include wreath-making, flower crowns and botanical pumpkin decorating, with seasonal themes running throughout the year. The next one is:

Festive Wreath Making
Wednesday 3rd December
10.30am–2.30pm (lunch included)
The Plough, Shiplake

To be the first to hear when new workshop dates go live, you can sign up to the Moomi Botanicals newsletter or follow them on Instagram.

Instagram: @moomi_botanicals

Website: moomibotanicals.co.uk

If there’s a maker, potter or otherwise, local or further afield, whose work you think deserves the spotlight, I’d love to hear from you. Just comment below with their name. And if I can get to their studio, I absolutely will! Stepping into someone’s creative space brings a whole new layer of insight. You see the context, the process, and what the work gives back to the maker, it’s always deeply rewarding.

A Little Treat for You 

As a thank you for reading all the way down, here’s a small treat: 

Use code NOTES06 for 10% off all handmade pottery online orders until Sunday 7th December.

If you’ve enjoyed this edition, feel free to forward it to a friend who loves handmade ceramics.

Until next time, Henrietta x

 

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