The Potter’s Pick is our monthly maker highlight, chosen by potter John Bedding, founder of St Ives Ceramics.
For our August Potter’s Pick John has chosen potter Simon Rich.
John Bedding on this month’s Potter’s Pick:
“I have been stocking Simon’s beautiful crystalline glaze pots for over 20 years. The quality over those years has been consistent, and the professionalism, craftsmanship and variety have always been of the highest standard.”
My fascination with crystalline glazes was aroused in the 1980s when they started to get popular with studio potters due to better kiln technology and control. Although I never experimented with them myself, I could not help staring into their depths with fascination whenever I came across them. Simon’s pots are perfect examples of the technical skills involved to encourage crystals to form. His glazes are for me reminiscent of snorkelling in the crystal clear waters of the Maldives. The large crystals are like the vibrant coral blooms formed over many years while the background colours of blues and greens represent for me the translucence of the sea. The glazes are chemical reactions created by the randomness of nature, while being guided by the skills of craftsmen.”
On a technical note the glazes are formed within a very controlled firing, and with very specific glaze recipes. The crystals form mainly during the cooling process, although temperatures must be controlled throughout the firing. The pot forms are also significant to the forming of the crystals as the glaze needs to run freely. There are examples of early forms of crystalline glazes during China’s Song dynasty but these are probably accidental. True command of the process came in the late 1800s with industrial kilns, although it wasn’t until the 1980s that studio potters started seriously experimenting with them.
In my opinion Simon has evolved into one of the best practitioners of this niche process, with affordable and highly desirable pots.”
— JOHN BEDDING, 2026
Receive 10% off Simon’s work online or in the gallery until the 31st of August.
Use the online code: Potter’s Pick at checkout.
If you’d like more information about available pieces or to explore our collections, our team is always happy to assist.
Visit us at our gallery in St Ives, Cornwall, or get in touch by phone or email — we’ll ensure you find exactly what you’re looking for.