Made in Scotland: Fitch and McAndrew
We were delighted to chat with Hannah and Doug of Dumfries and Galloway based potters Fitch and McAndrew! They gave us so many fascinating details about the process behind their earthenware pieces made in gorgeous loam and neutral shades. They are another family business, another married couple working together in the creative field which we are always delighted to see. Read on to find out more about their beautiful pieces…
Can you tell us how your business got started?
We are husband and wife, Doug Fitch and Hannah McAndrew, and we make pottery inspired by the glorious tradition of British earthenware. We were both established potters before we got together, both working in the beautiful technique of slipware. Doug began making pots at college but his first connection with handmade ceramics was as a school boy in Northamptonshire. His head teacher, John Stein, was an amateur archaeologist and they would go field walking and collect Medieval pottery sherds which they would take back to college where the head teacher would show them what they had been a part of years ago. This experience has shaped his understanding and love of hand made pots.
I, Hannah, accidentally fell into making pots when I discovered that the ceramics workshops at college were much more appealing to me than the metalwork ones. Then, the ceramics tutor, Alex McErlain, was an inspiration to me and that was that, I was hooked. I moved to Scotland from Lancashire to work as an apprentice to a potter here. I came for 12 months but that was 22 years ago now.
Where do you look for inspiration when you are designing new products?
We both look to historic pots and also to the wonder that is Mother Nature right outside our backdoor here in Galloway. Doug is particularly fascinated by Medieval pottery, I am more attracted to the Staffordshire slipware of the 17th and 18th Century. We enjoy visiting museums and studying ancient pots, if we can get to handle them, so much the better.
We live in rural Dumfries and Galloway, outside of a small village, surrounded by farmland and forests. The changing seasons are a fascination to us, both within our garden and over the fence too.
Can you tell us a bit more about how you make your products?
We make our pots using a variety of traditional techniques, methods that have been in use for centuries. Most of our pots are thrown in a red clay on the potters wheel though some are press moulded. The decoration is applied in a few different ways, I mainly use the technique of slip trailing. This is using a slip, a liquid clay, of which we have four or five earth tones, to trail patterns onto the surface of the wet pots. It’s a little like icing a cake. Doug uses applied pellets and sprigs and coils of clay to build up applied patterns on the surface, He also uses a very direct method of decoration where he applies a layer of the white slip to the surface of the pot and then immediately draws through it to the darker clay beneath using a soft rubber tipped tool.
We have a variety of films on our YouTube channel showing some of these techniques.
What are your most popular products and which are your own favourites?
Mugs are always popular, such a functional and intimate object. We make different shapes and sizes which suit different drinks. Doug’s favourite thing to make is always large jugs and for me I love the flat surface of plates and chargers.
If you had to pick one place in Scotland to recommend that people visit, where would it be?
We love the coast around here and the forest behind the house, we spend many happy hours at both. I very much enjoy swimming in Loch Ken with a bunch of friends.
The beautiful coast that Hannah and Doug love to visit
Which other Scottish Makers do you love to recommend?
We would recommend many many other makers in Scotland. There is a wealth of incredible skill here. In Dumfries and Galloway even you would be spoiled for choice. Our dear friend Natalie Vardey is an incredible jeweller while for the most exquisite tailored coats and jackets, Janet Ibbotson is the best
Thanks so much to Hannah for taking the time to talk with us about these beautiful pieces she and Doug make right here in Scotland! Make sure to check out their Website, Facebook and Instagram to find out more and get shopping!