Based in Foxton, South Cambridgeshire.

Lockdown 2020. With work on hold and overwhelmed by the joys of home schooling, interior and textile designer Jessica Preston turned to clay for some light (and squidgy) relief. Drawing on her design skills, and with a large amount of trial and error, a range of tableware and household ceramics gradually emerged.

Inspired by the combination of pottery and the often intriguing idioms, phrases and puns in our everyday language, Jessica began exploring the possibilities of delicately inlaid slip on tactile, porcelain pieces. Stamping each handcrafted piece using vintage letterpress with a classic British typeface, a functional, utilityware aesthetic developed, and with a firm tongue in cheek, Wordplay Clay came to be.

Several years on and clay has proved addictive, Jessica’s creations continue to evolve and maintain their talent for stating the bleedin’ obvious.

All Wordplay Clay pottery is made by Jessica by hand using porcelain clay. The hand-building and inlay techniques used are time consuming and every one is completely unique. As with most handcrafted ceramics, pieces may feature minor variations which add to their distinctive character and are indicative of the making process.

Wordplay Clay tableware is designed for everyday use in the home and the rim and interior of each piece is finished with a food safe glaze which contrasts beautifully with the polished exterior surface. All the pottery is high fired, making it stain resistant.

Whilst it can be put in the dishwasher, washing by hand is recommended. It is watertight and food and drink safe. It can go in the oven and the microwave.