Shani Leave The Great Pottery Throw Down

22 January 2024

Q&A with Shani:

 

Walking onto the set on the very first day, did you feel nervous or excited or was it a combination of both?

I certainly was very excited to see the set  and of course a bit nervous too I think knowing that I would have to work under strict times etc.  But it was such a lot of fun.

 

Was the set as you thought it would be from seeing previous series?

 Yes.  It was

 

What age or time in your life did you start pottery and who inspired you? 

I have always loved clay since I was very young.  But due to being pushed towards the academic side of life I have concentrated on that rather than clay.  In 2016 the old passion for clay was re-ignited, and then I went hunting for a pottery wheel. My first wheel was a turn table which I bought from a craft shop. I then realised that wasn’t enough to be able to learn throwing.  I was searching on websites and finally found an electric pottery wheel which came with two unwanted items.  But then the wheel suddenly stopped and it was devastating. I felt like my dream went away with the wheel not working, so I then looked for an engineer to fix it.  After searching for a few days I stumbled upon a great person who still to this day fixes my wheels and kilns.  I’m so grateful to him. 

 

Can you say something about the best piece of pottery you have ever made, even if it was your first piece - and any memories that are attached to it? 

A Sri Lankan tea set.  I absolutely love the teapot which is one of the best things I’ve ever made.  It wasn’t easy to create as it takes the shape of a flying saucer which is very difficult to throw on the potter’s wheel.  Next I really want to create an Aladdin’s lamp on the wheel which I call an oil lamp.

 

Where do you make your pottery, do you have a shed or a workshop that you share?

I create pottery in my kitchen until I can get a studio. Although I have a large shed in my garden currently it is occupied with so many pottery wheels, kilns, pugmill, ball mill and my glaze ingredients.  So no space there to work unfortunately …

 

What is your favoured technique – hand built or thrown – or both and give reasons why?

I love throwing on the potter’s wheel.  But after the Throw Down I realise that I like hand building too. Although I find throwing on the wheel is very quick if I want to work faster. 

 

Pottery is usually a relaxing hobby and a lengthy process so what was it like to be working under quite strict time constraints that first week?

I did enjoy it very much.  But yes it was quite tough especially during the first day.  It was undoubtedly stressful, but I managed to keep my cool. 

 

What is your favourite piece of pottery that you make for friends and family, and do you get any special requests around Christmas or birthdays?

Mugs.   I don’t have much family in the UK as I come from Sri Lanka.  But I have presented my parent-in-laws with handmade mugs.

 

Biggest personal disaster for you making something and did it hit your own bucket of doom?

Last year I threw  a hot water bottle which was too fat and short.  I did not get the height right, but otherwise it looked ok.  I asked my children to judge me and they said it was too fat and put it in the bucket of doom.  That was hilarious 😂

 

Which celebrity or someone from the entertainment world  would you most like to make a piece of pottery for and why?

I love Shah Rukh Khan (Bollywood actor). He gets dimples when he smiles which I really like, so I would really like to make a piece of pottery for him.  There are few more but since you’re asking about only one I’d stop it here.

 

Are you a messy potter or do you keep everything clean and tidy?  What was your apron like by the end of the first episode?

I’m quite tidy, and on the first day I couldn’t find a piece of towel to wipe my hand so I ended up wiping my hand with my apron which was filthy by the end of the first part of the first challenge. 

 

What was the camaraderie like between the Potters on set and off set?

They are a fantastic bunch.  From the first day when we arrived we bonded so well with each other.  Everyone was so open and shared how they were going to make each one of the challenges which I found really helpful and of course very kind of them all.

 

Which Judge did you want to impress the most [or both] and why?    Did you find Siobhán a great support when the going got tough?

 I love them both.  It was my dream to meet them and finally I met them . Yes Siobhán was a fantastic presenter.  I loved her smile and she was a great helper when the going was tough!

 

Did you enjoy being in the midst of pottery country in Stoke, and filming at the Gladstone Pottery Museum - did it inspire you?

 I absolutely adore that place and yes it was very inspiring those tall chimneys and ancient chambers occupied by engines etc.  I just love English heritage.

 

How hard was it to keep a secret?

Not hard at all. 

 

Are the potters good at keeping in touch, and what do you think bonds you so well?

Yes they are a great bunch.  I’m a very friendly and honest person.  I like helping people whenever anyone needs help.  I was brought up this way which I think makes it very easy to bond with anyone. 

 

What was your best and worst moment overall in the series, and why?

Best moment was when I walked in and worst moment was when I’ve had to walk out after the 3rd episode. 

 

How did you feel when they announced your name you would be leaving and how did the other Potters, Judges and presenter help you get through it?

 It was heart breaking to know that I was leaving.  But everyone was very supportive and the judges hugged me and reassured me.

 

Favourite challenge of the whole series and least favourite?

The roast dinner set  was my favourite challenge and the least favourite were the Staffordshire Flatbacks. 

 

What is the one piece of Pottery you would like to make now after spending some time with the professional Potters?

Definitely a teapot set. 

 

Would you do it all again, as now you feel you have learned a bit more about the process.   And how soon did you get used to the cameras and producers always being around?

 Yes even though I said I’d never do Flatbacks again, but I have actually made a couple of them and bisque fired one.  It wasn’t hard to forget about the cameras, but it was hard to forget about everyone else.  The whole production team, the judges and presenters and the wonderful potters. 

 

What do you feel you learned the most from taking part in the series and what will you take away from your experience on The Great Pottery Throw Down?

 I need to do more painting with underglazes.  Be neat and tidy in my work.  No messy bottoms and no sharp edges in my pottery. 

 

What is next for you, and what are your hopes and ambitions in the world of pottery?

I want to specialize in glazes as I’m a developer of ceramic glazes.  I have completed two degree level online courses specialized in glaze chemistry, understanding and advancing in ceramics glazes.

I want to be a specialist in providing the pottery community with the tools and ingredients needed for making pottery rather than making pottery myself. As a person who reconditions pottery equipment I have realised that selling tools is the way to go. Saying that doesn’t mean that I will be completely stopping making pottery.  I will continue to improve the shapes of my teapots which is another thing I need to work on and carry on with. I enjoy making teapots very much on the wheel.