2024 has been a very significant year for me. Naturally Christmas is a time of reflection but with so many anniversaries, I have been reflecting constantly this year!

It is 20 years since I graduated from Manchester Met. Even though I successfully passed my course, I struggled to see how pottery could be my future.

It took 10 years to build up the confidence I needed to start my business, and this year I celebrated the 10th anniversary of Tea with Jud.

Another recent anniversary is 1 year since I bought my very first home! I would not have believed you, if you told me this time last year that my new workshop would be built and I would be making pottery again!

It has not been an easy year at all. Having a break from working with clay between January to August did me the world of good, but I missed it so much!

My workshop is warm and bright and I love making pots in it! What a difference it has made to my life! I can’t wait to show you it next year, if I am able to participate in an Open Studios event.

Another highlight this year was making more ceramic Christmas Decorations for Sarah Cave Silversmith. This is always a good challenge for me, coming up with new designs. I am thrilled they completely sold out as now I can put all the money towards a floor for my kitchen! If you bought a decoration, please know that you are now contributing to warmth in my house as well, thankyou so much!

With all my practical work finished now, it’s time to do a deep clean tomorrow (already? yes already!) and start making a plan for next year – new products, new designs, thinking about events etc… before a rest that involves a lot of sitting and knitting this Christmas.

Thankyou so much for your patience and welcoming me back with open wallets and kitchen cupboards. Thankyou also for all your orders and purchases, and to everyone who donated boxes and packaging. I am still so SO grateful I get to do what I love!

I hope you have a very peaceful festive season.

Merry Christmas
See you next year.

Jud.