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Mary Johnson graduated with a 1st class BA (Hons) in Craft from University of Derby in June 2009. After leaving university, Mary has set up a studio working from home and she now works as a potter, making and selling decorated earthenware ceramics.

Mary’s slip decorated earthenware pots are traditional in technique and designed to be used in the home and garden. They contain a mixture of working class ceramic traditions and contemporary concerns with sustainability and environment.

After joining as an associate member in April 2010, Mary was selected by DF’s independent selection panel as a designer/maker member in August 2010.

We spoke to Mary about her membership so far with DF:

“I have recently had a new member’s ‘action plan’ meeting, which is a one-to-one meeting at your home with a Project Officer from DF to help you plan for the future of your business. This was a really positive and supportive experience.”

“It was really exciting to be selected as a designer/maker member and a great boost for my confidence. The team have been really helpful, giving sound advice as well as fantastic promotion and publicity for events that I am involved in. It is great to have such enthusiastic and constructive support behind you. My profile on their website has already been beneficial, putting me in touch with a number of galleries.”

“I attended a Design Factory ‘Get Together’ at the end of the summer, with a talk about marketing and exhibiting work at craft fairs. It was not just a great chance to meet up with other designer/makers, but was very informative and prompted me to successfully apply to British Craft Trade Fair taking place in April 2011.”

“DF is very pro-active at supplying you with lots of information and opportunities about projects, events and exhibitions. I will be taking up as many opportunities to exhibit with Design Factory as possible – I’ve already got a few pots on display in the Design Factory display case at the Hub: National Centre for Craft & Design in Lincolnshire!”