We are thrilled to welcome Lilly, AKA The Super Sparrow, to our growing community of independent makers and creators. She discovered a love for ceramics during evening sculpture courses whilst working as a cardiac nurse. This new found passion led he to apply for art school, finishing with a First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins.
Lilly creates original and functional ceramic tableware while still working part time as a nurse. Her style is relaxed, natural and minimal and she likes the challenge of having a piece function with the smallest amount of visual fuss, while still being aesthetically pleasing.
We had to find out more about Lilly & what inspires her...
Who /what is your inspiration? I’m inspired by a drive to make pieces which are totally unfussy but function well. I think about paring things down to their essential components.
How did you get to where you are today? Hard work and taking good opportunities when they’re available.
What task do you prefer to delegate? Sanding the work and going to the post office!
If we asked you to pick your favourite product, what would it be and why?
Soap dish. I LOVE making it and it’s a really simple, but effective design.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you began your journey with The Super Sparrow? Being largely featured in Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jr’s cookbook The French Revolution. I even have a little thank you in the credits! Chuffed.
Which famous person would you love to buy your products and why?
Don’t know.. never think about famous people buying my work? Maybe Nigel Slater as his food always looks so tactile and he seems to really savour the things around him.
Do you prefer sketchbook or laptop? Laptop. Planning, planning and more planning. Pieces are largely in my head, rather than sketched.
Which is you favourite process - Design or Make? Make.
What do you use everyday that you wish you had designed? Sponge. I’d have made them last longer!
What constitutes your perfect day off? A lazy morning, nowhere to be, dog walk and some good grub.
Do you have a favourite small brand you are loving at the moment?
Truffle Burgers (Soho, London). Proper, tasty, melt-in-your-mouth flavours & really nice people!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Race car driving. I love speed…
Do you have a studio playlist? Usually podcasts but am getting back into old albums I haven’t listened to for ages.
Tea or coffee in the studio? Coffee! And lots of water.
What can we expect in the future? Hopefully a new range with a completely different aesthetic… still researching and trying stuff out.
A huge thank you to Lilly for taking the time to answer our questions x