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

A Mug's Life

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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

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. We're in Edinburgh! Ella's move to Edinburgh (00:01:28)

3. Inspiration from the Scottish countryside (00:03:25)

4. The journey into ceramics (00:04:03)

5. Instagram success & a supportive community (00:05:46)

6. Mug #1 - The first mug Ella made (00:08:46)

7. The importance of a good handle (00:09:38)

8. Good shoes & a haircut in your mugs (00:09:45)

9. Have a look at the bottom of your mugs (00:10:38)

10. The handles! (00:10:55)

11. Inside colour of your mug controversy (00:12:45)

12. Ella's perfect tea brewing method (00:13:35)

13. Ella's coffee choice (00:16:40)

14. Mug #2 - The first mug Ella made by herself (The Original) (00:17:51)

15. Started business making plant pots (00:18:29)

16. Time for handles & mugs! (00:18:41)

17. Developing her signature splatter design & branding (00:18:46)

18. Attachment to mugs! (00:21:33)

19. Mug #3 - By Jodie, Made & Matter Ceramics (00:23:52)

20. I LOVE IT! Perfect coffee size & craft (00:24:09)

21. Buying mugs - Instagram & Pinterest ceramicists (00:26:11)

22. Launching & prepping for new website - coming in April! (00:27:23)

23. Collaborations with other local Scottish businesses & charities (00:30:15)

24. Bringing the joy to the everyday (00:32:21)

25. Mug #4 - Bought in Ithaca, Greece - from the maker (00:33:12)

26. A reminder of the best trip (00:34:00)

27. Switching off & finding balance as a small busines owner (00:36:13)

28. Kilns! (00:38:38)

29. Mug #5 - Laura Grainger F*ck the Tories mug (00:40:24)

30. Bought one for her Dad too (00:41:10)

31. Great handle, bottom & size (00:41:20)

32. Team mugs of choice?! (00:41:47)

33. Quick fire favourites round (books, TV shows, music, holiday destination, podcast, piece of advice) (00:42:54)