002. Wild Sage + Co
A story of getting back to ancestral roots and the healing power of plants.
It’s a joy to introduce you to Abby & Hannah Livesley from Every Story Ceramics. Together, these sisters have built a brand that combines their love for nature, family, and craftsmanship into stunning handmade ceramics.
From their studio in the picturesque Vale of Belvoir, they create everything from elegantly rustic tableware to bespoke designs for luxury interiors. Their journey began with a shared passion for creativity, and their story is one of transformation, determination, and a commitment to the art of slow, thoughtful making.
We feel fortunate to have grown up surrounded by creativity.
Our dad is an architect, and our mum studied art history with a focus on ceramics, so our childhood home was always filled with their handmade creations and influences. You could often find us on a building site in a hard hat or amongst a creative mess at home.
This naturally inspired us to pursue careers in the creative industry: Abby as a graphic designer for a luxury interior brand, and Hannah as an in-house ceramicist for a kitchen company.
Our journey to creating Every Story then started organically as a creative outlet during our time together. At first, we focused on making pieces we wanted for ourselves but after lots of experimenting, our first collection started to come together and we decided to set up a small studio in our parent’s garage.
We didn’t realise at the time how much it would shape our future, but as soon as we realised we could create our dream job which gave us freedom and fulfilment we took the plunge!
Now, our product range has expanded, and we’ve had the privilege of creating bespoke pieces for interior designers, restaurants and luxury hotels around the world.
Day to day, we run our online shop filled with handcrafted ceramics for the home, offering everything from dinnerware and vases to thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts.
We feel so lucky to work together, combining our skills to grow our business.
As an independent creative business, our work and life can be really entwined, giving us the freedom to design our days, manage our workflow, and we feel fortunate to take a day to find inspiration for new creations.
A special part of our journey has been Barley, Abby’s Border Collie and unofficial team member. She’s grown up in the studio with us and has become a favourite both on social media and among the couriers who stop by to collect our parcels. Barley’s friendly presence brings joy to everyone she meets and she’s truly part of what makes our studio feel like home.
THE ARTISAN FOUNDER SUNDAY NEWSLETTER
Our main studio is nestled in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir countryside, at our family home.
The studio is equipped with all the essentials; sturdy workbenches for rolling, shaping, and assembling our clay pieces, shelves storing our everyday materials, works-in-progress, and pieces waiting to be glazed or fired.
At the heart of the studio is our potter’s wheel and reliable kiln, where each piece undergoes its final transformation.
Being surrounded by nature is one of the joys of working in a rural setting. It gives us the chance to step away from the tools and take a refreshing walk along our favourite countryside path – with Barley by our side, of course, eagerly chasing her ball!
Our collection of handmade ceramics includes a range of elegantly rustic plates, bowls, and serving platters, alongside thoughtfully designed accessories such as vases, decorative bowls, and more.
Each piece is carefully crafted from natural clays and finished in a colour palette of earthy glazes, creating timeless designs that can serve as stunning centrepieces or a little part in making a house a home.
We’re both inspired by the textures and forms found in nature. Materials like stone, wood, shells, grasses, and foliage often become tools in our making, helping us create raw textures and finishes.
Pieces like our Ebba plates, with their flowing, organic edges, capture the soothing movement of water. This aesthetic is carried through our collection, brought to life with different clays and glazes.
We love how our pieces work together seamlessly, making it easy for our customers to create a harmonious tablescape.
One of the highlights of our year was creating a bespoke collection of porcelain tableware for Eynsham Baths at Estelle Manor, a luxury hotel nestled in the Cotswolds. These pieces will be used to serve delicious cuisine in the beautiful spa lounge as well as decorative vases being displayed in the changing areas and walkways as decorative accents.
We’re delighted that the collection has been so warmly received, which led to a new commission for these designs to be stocked in The Muse, the hotel’s boutique shop. It’s so wonderful to know that these pieces are loved and that guests can take home a meaningful keepsake of their stay.
Our focus is to make functional and beautiful ceramics, hand crafted with the very best materials, in a slow and considered way. We aim to provide a heart-warming experience for our customers, to feel that emotive connection when they purchase from us and to expect the highest quality as we would expect ourselves when we shop consciously.
Above all, we treasure the joy that comes from our making and the transformation of raw materials into something unique and meaningful.
It’s deeply rewarding to see how our customers use and love each piece. In a world driven by speed and mass production, we are committed to celebrating the art of craftsmanship and the beauty of individuality.
Our vision for the future is to continue our commitment to sustainability, exploring innovative methods of craftsmanship, and expanding our collection to include new designs for interiors.
One particularly exciting project is a limited edition of statement vases. Each vase will be one-of-a-kind, taking around three days to shape and an additional three weeks to dry and fire in the kiln. It truly is a labour of love, capturing a moment in time from our studio and reflecting a unique approach to making. These vases are designed to be timeless pieces to cherish for a lifetime.
Next year, we’ll be venturing further into interior design with the launch of a new range of handmade tiles and lighting, which we’re so excited to share more! The tile collection will feature intricate patterns and earthy tones, perfect for adding a touch of artisanal charm to any space. Our lighting designs will continue this aesthetic, blending functional design with a warm, inviting ambience.
We’ve also been exploring the idea of hosting workshops. While we’ve enjoyed casual sessions with friends and family, we’re warming to the idea of offering larger workshops, where guests can immerse themselves in hands-on pottery techniques in the cosy, creative setting of our studio.
Of course, designing bespoke dinnerware for restaurants and hotels continues to be a source of excitement and inspiration for us, and we look forward to creating even more memorable pieces for these spaces in the future.
Thank you both for sharing your story with us. The simplicity of your work is such a joy with form and texture taking centre stage.
I’m excited to see who you create masterpieces for next, and it is a delight to welcome you to The Artisan Founder as members.
Readers can enjoy 10% off at Every Story with code: ARTISANFOUNDER10
A story of getting back to ancestral roots and the healing power of plants.
Combining nature & craftsmanship to bring joy to our daily rituals.
and then