S3 Ep1 - ‘Good shoes & a haircut’, creating a ceramics business, collaborating with local Scottish creators & the everyday JOY of mugs with Ella Fletcher

We’re back with S3 and I’m delighted to welcome our first guest: 

Ella has her own ceramics business based just outside Edinburgh @Ellafletcherdesigns. Her mission is ‘bringing joy to the everyday with colourful, handmade ceramics’ and she embodies this in what she creates 🌷💐🎨

⏰Her new website where you’ll be able to buy a whole range of products will be launching Friday 25th April ‼️

That joy & feeling when you choose a favourite mug from the cupboard. I’ve been a fan of her work for a while and it was such a pleasure to chat in Edinburgh 🪄 

We cover all the key questions: Ella’s perfect brew, why the colour of the inside of the mug is so important & the art of mug handles ☕️

We also chat about getting inspiration from the Scottish landscape, travel & collaborations with female-owned local Scottish businesses as well as a new contract this year with the National Trust for Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Here are the mugs talked about, if you’d like to follow along and see: 

1. The first mug Ella ever made (taught by Chris Donnelly)

2. The first mug Ella made by herself (THE ORIGINAL)

3. By Jodie, MADE & MATTER CERAMICS, WALES  (Made_and_matter ceramics)

4. Bought in Ithaca, Greece from the maker at a gallery (Reminders of a 4 week Greek Island family trip last Summer

5. Laura Grainger F*ck the Tories mug

 Collaborations & partnerships with local Scottish businesses: 

💡Amanda Wells Lighting

🕯️Luna Candles 

🕯️Tyninghame Candles

💗 It’s Good to Give charity - supporting young Cancer patients & their families in Scotland 

Quick fire favourites!

📚The Bee Sting - Paul Murray 🐝

📺 Big Boys, Day of the Jackal, Hacks

🎧 Self Esteem 

🗺️Greece & Scottish Highlands

🎙️My therapist ghosted me & The rest is entertainment 

✨Will it make the boat go faster? Ben Hunt-Davis 

Available on all platforms now to listen (Spotify/Apple podcasts) or watch (Spotify/YouTube). Also linked in my bio 💫

We always love to hear what you think so please let us know ☕️💗

Edited by Megan Tuck Audio

https://www.instagram.com/amugslifepod/profilecard/?igsh=N2I3d3BpbWF0czRr

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:28 We're in Edinburgh! Ella's move to Edinburgh
• 3:25 Inspiration from the Scottish countryside
• 4:03 The journey into ceramics
• 5:46 Instagram success & a supportive community
• 8:46 Mug #1 - The first mug Ella made
• 9:38 The importance of a good handle
• 9:45 Good shoes & a haircut in your mugs
• 10:38 Have a look at the bottom of your mugs
• 10:55 The handles!
• 12:45 Inside colour of your mug controversy
• 13:35 Ella's perfect tea brewing method
• 16:40 Ella's coffee choice
• 17:51 Mug #2 - The first mug Ella made by herself (The Original)
• 18:29 Started business making plant pots
• 18:41 Time for handles & mugs!
• 18:46 Developing her signature splatter design & branding
• 21:33 Attachment to mugs!
• 23:52 Mug #3 - By Jodie, Made & Matter Ceramics
• 24:09 I LOVE IT! Perfect coffee size & craft
• 26:11 Buying mugs - Instagram & Pinterest ceramicists
• 27:23 Launching & prepping for new website - coming in April!
• 30:15 Collaborations with other local Scottish businesses & charities
• 32:21 Bringing the joy to the everyday
• 33:12 Mug #4 - Bought in Ithaca, Greece - from the maker
• 34:00 A reminder of the best trip
• 36:13 Switching off & finding balance as a small busines owner
• 38:38 Kilns!
• 40:24 Mug #5 - Laura Grainger F*ck the Tories mug
• 41:10 Bought one for her Dad too
• 41:20 Great handle, bottom & size
• 41:47 Team mugs of choice?!
• 42:54 Quick fire favourites round (books, TV shows, music, holiday destination, podcast, piece of advice)