After a spur of the moment encounter with clay, Scarlett Robinson discovered a previously unknown creativity which resulted in her fabulously unique ceramics brand, PLOP Pottery. She sits down to chat with us about the importance of having a brilliant circle of friends, supporting other independent artists, and the bravery to take the first leap into starting your own business.
At LAMP LDN we make it our mission to work with independent makers, artists and designers, and these creators become the fabric of our LAMP LDN community. We like to think of them as the Light in the LAMP, and this series gives us a few minutes to get to know them a little better. So, grab a mug of something warm and pull up a chair, as we chat to one of our makers - Scarlett Robinson, the artist and maker behind British ceramics brand PLOP Pottery.
Scarlett founded PLOP in 2019, out of her irrevocable love of clay and her need to keep exploring its never-ending possibilities. Her pieces are bright, intensely characterful and utterly distinctive, with their unique striped or herringbone patterns. We’ve adored chatting to Scarlett, and we now feel inspired to keep making strides into the world of independent business, and desperate to be invited over to try her homemade gochujang!
Tell us about your journey - how did the business begin?
I never saw myself as a creative person—I studied ecology and wildlife conservation at university, and I didn’t have much experience with art growing up. But when I discovered clay, something just clicked. I couldn't stop—my days were consumed by exploring different techniques, taking a wheel-throwing course, and eventually diving into hand-building during lockdown. The moment I realised I could turn ideas floating around in my brain into functional pottery that people actually wanted to buy was a major turning point for me. The support from friends, and people on social media, played a huge role in starting my business. Their belief in what I was making, along with the encouragement to get a studio space, really helped me take the leap and get things off the ground!
Is there anyone in your life who has had a lasting influence on your taste and style?
My friends have always been my biggest influence. I’m lucky to have a group that’s always ready to share our love and push each other to be our best. Spending summers traveling, being mischievous, and staying up late talking about everything and anything taught me so much about freedom and how to be the best version of myself. My friends have shaped my taste and style in so many ways—we constantly bounce ideas off each other, aligning on what we love and what we think is inspiring. Alongside them, my mum, Pat, has been a huge influence too. She always taught me that I can do anything if I set my mind to it, encouraging me to travel solo from a young age and never limit myself. She gave me the gift of believing anything is possible, which had a huge impact on my mindset when I started PLOP. It gave me the courage to just dive in and see what happens.
What, would you say, are the biggest inspirations for your creations?
A lot of my inspiration comes from patterns in nature, everyday life, and various art forms. Quilting, in particular, is a huge influence on my work. I love exploring quilt patterns and thinking about how they could translate into clay. The quilts of Gee’s Bend, especially her striped designs, are especially inspiring—there’s something so beautiful and powerful about them. The practice of Nerikomi also plays a big role in my creative process. The Nerikomi techniques I use shape the way I approach each piece, and watching a pattern come to life often sparks new ideas for shapes and designs.
You work from a shared pottery studio in Bristol - what’s it like being immersed among other makers?
I love it!! There are 6 of us in our studio, and whilst we are all potters we all use such different techniques and have different processes of working. I have found it hugely impactful and inspiring to work with my studio pals, there have been many times I have been at a creative block and seeing what someone else is working on or focusing on fuels me to feel inspired to work on something new or to try out a new technique. It is also amazing to have a potter's hivemind where we can help each other out when something comes out the kiln broken or not as it should, and our combined knowledge makes troubleshooting a lot easier and enjoyable.
Do you have a favourite moment of your making process?
The process of making ceramic pieces is so long, and requires the patience of a saint sometimes, and I think for a lot of potters the best part is opening the kiln and finally seeing your work finished and shining back at you. My work is very colourful and pattern-focused, so opening a successful glaze firing is such a joyful moment. But there is also an underlying fear pulling out each piece to check for cracks, and any mishaps! My favourite pieces to make are my butter dishes, there is something so satisfying in constructing the rectangular lid, and bringing this 3D cube to life, I find it so therapeutic and my brain is switched off throughout. So, I’d say the construction of the slab-built pieces is my favourite moment!
Tell us about your supply chain - where do you source your materials? Do you try to remain conscious of longevity and sustainability?
I source my clay straight from Stoke-on-Trent, and work hard to ensure my coloured clay is all separated and reclaimed into the correct colour. No clay goes to waste! I don’t use any plastic in my packaging, ensuring only paper and cardboard are used so everything is recyclable. Whenever I send any of my work out I hope it lands in a home where it will be cherished for as long as possible. Ceramics are for life!
Tell us something you love about your own home?
I recently moved in with my boyfriend after a long wait so it feels great that we’ve finally found ourselves a little home! Our flat is quite a landlord special, full of grey and white, so we have slowly been adding warm tones and colour to make it feel more like our space. It is so special filling a home with handmade art from people you admire. I absolutely love doing swaps with other small businesses and some of my favourite possessions in our home are from swaps.
What’s your favourite thing about being an independent maker?
Being my own boss for sure! Sometimes the pressure of being a one person business, whilst working another part-time job can feel overwhelming but the hard work really pays off and I feel so incredibly lucky that I get to do this. I have learnt so much about myself through starting a business!
The Light in the Lamp Quick Fire Round
Your favourite cocktail
A classic margarita!
Your ideal Sunday morning
A slow Sunday is the ultimate gift to me, a lie in with coffee in bed followed by a cooked breakfast, and a walk.
We’re coming round for dinner - what’s on the menu?
My go to is always a gochujang tofu veg fried rice situation with all the trimmings, fried egg, avocado, spring onions, pickled radish, and a healthy spoon of Lao Gan Ma Laoganma Crispy Chilli oil.
Your rainy afternoon comfort movie
The Devils Wears Prada
Your favourite pick from the current LAMP LDN collection (that isn’t something of yours!)
Wow this was hard, so much goodness to choose from! As we are currently building our collection of tableware, and I have had my eyes on one for ages now, I would have to say a Minnie-Mae Stott Radicchio Leaf Bowl in Verona Red! I have one of Minnie-Mae’s giant clam dishes which I'm obsessed with, and I would love to add another piece of her beautiful work!
You can follow PLOP Pottery on Instagram