Playful Handmade Ceramics by Jo Brimble

Hello, I’m Jo Brimble, founder of Brimble Studios — a ceramics business that’s playful, fun, and full of character. I create work that brings a bit of joy and whimsy into people’s lives, often inspired by everyday moments, fashion, and the quirky personalities I imagine into ceramics.

My creative journey began many years ago when I studied illustration straight out of school. I absolutely loved it — the creativity, the storytelling, the freedom — but I wasn’t quite ready at that stage in life to turn it into a freelance business. I just didn’t have the discipline or the structure yet, so I ended up doing a mix of other jobs over the years, always keeping that creative spark burning in the background.

Then, everything changed one Mother’s Day. My husband gave me a hand-building ceramics course as a gift, and it was a revelation. I absolutely loved it — it just made so much sense to me. I remember feeling completely at home working with clay, like it was something I had always been meant to do. That moment stayed with me.

A few years later, when I was made redundant from my full-time job, I decided it was time to make a real change. I thought, stuff it — let’s give it a go. I didn’t want to jump back into the job market, especially since my previous role was quite specialised and would have likely required us to move — possibly to another city, or even a different country. That didn’t feel right for our family.

At the time, our children were very young — my youngest was only six months old — and I knew I wanted to build something that worked around them. I wanted to be there for the school runs, the sick days, the moments that matter. So I started Brimble Studios, building it from the ground up around our family life, quite literally in the heart of our home.

It’s been a journey, and I’m proud to say it’s worked. The business has grown, and I absolutely love what I do. Ceramics became more than just a creative outlet — it became a space for me to escape into my own little world, to create characters and forms that make people smile. I find working with my hands incredibly therapeutic, especially in today’s chaotic and fast-paced world. That sense of joy and escapism I find in creating is something that I think comes through in my work, and people often tell me they feel it too when they bring a piece home.

Not long ago, we made a big move from Bristol to Somerset. It was about finding more peace, more space, and a better work-life balance. My old studio was tiny — it took up half our garden, my stock was crammed onto shelving in our bedroom, and I kept packing supplies in the cupboard under the stairs. It was chaotic and bursting at the seams. Now, in Somerset, I have a proper studio — light-filled, spacious, and fully equipped — and it’s made such a difference to both the business and our family life. Everything just feels more in flow.

People often comment on my distinctive style and ask where it comes from. I always find that question interesting because the truth is, it’s been evolving for over 20 years. I didn’t just wake up one day with it — it’s a combination of everything I’ve loved and learned. I’ve always been fascinated by faces and people — drawing and painting them since my uni days — and I think that naturally led to creating characterful ceramics. I’m also hugely inspired by fashion, especially vintage looks, which often sneak into my designs. I love florals, texture, bold patterns, and above all, colour. I’m definitely a maximalist at heart — I don’t shy away from making something vibrant and joyful.

At the end of the day, Brimble Studios is about creating with feeling. It’s about crafting pieces that connect, that tell stories, and that bring a little magic into the everyday.