Our Mali and Cam pottery is handmade in South India as part of a long-standing fair-trade project established in 1985. Created to provide training and secure employment for men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds, both able-bodied and disabled. The initiative was founded with the aim of building opportunity through craft. Today, the scheme employs 40 people and places particular focus on empowering women within the workplace, creating an environment where skill and independence can flourish.
Fair Trade Iniative
Every maker involved in the project undertakes three years of training. The first year is dedicated to learning foundational skills, during which each employee receives a fixed monthly salary to ensure financial stability from the outset. This structured approach provides not only technical knowledge, but also security and consistency, something many of the makers had not previously experienced.
Crafted by hand, where skill and experience shape every piece.
Positive Change
The impact of regular employment has been meaningful and far-reaching. Many of the makers began with limited opportunities and modest living conditions. A steady income has helped create greater stability and the ability to make important improvements at home, as well as invest in everyday essentials. These changes speak to the wider purpose of the initiative, that craft can support dignity, security, and lasting positive change.
Grounded in Craft, Shaped by Experience
That connection to material lies at the heart of our Mali and Cam pottery collections. Each piece is handmade from terracotta and dipped in a glaze, a process that depends entirely on the skill and experience of the potter. The clay is shaped by hand, guided by touch and intuition, before being fired in a small brick-built kiln heated by an open fire. This traditional method demands patience and careful judgement, resulting in pottery that carries the warmth of the flame and the imprint of the maker’s hand.Every piece is shaped slowly and thoughtfully, grounded in craft, guided by experience, and made to be used and enjoyed every day.
