Natalie Bell, ceramicist
Natalie Bell
Love, love, love the work of Natalie Bell, her eye for colour is the best. Her work is so tactile, such a beautiful finish to her pieces. Read on to find out more about her… the future sounds exciting!
Who are you?
I'm Natalie Bell, the maker behind Natalie Bell Ceramics. I work from my studio in Mansfield Woodhouse, creating slip-cast porcelain homeware and decorative objects.
After graduating NTU studying Decorative Arts in 2018, I established my ceramics business in 2020, where I've continued to explore colour, repetition and the possibilities of porcelain. My work is focused on precision and process. I enjoy developing collections that celebrate colour through repeated forms, to create something playful yet considered. Every piece is cast, finished and fired by hand, combining traditional ceramic techniques with a contemporary aesthetic.
Fabulous
Why do you also have a thing with ceramics?
I've always been drawn to making things, but ceramics captured my attention because it combines creativity with process. I particularly love slip casting, where repetition becomes part of the enjoyment, lots of people find the process really monotonous but I find it more meditative.
A real turning point came when I visited Earth & Fire. I remember walking around and feeling that so much of the work shared a similar natural, earthy palette. (too much brown for me!) But It made me realise there was room for something different. I wanted to create ceramics that embraced bold colour and immediately caught people's attention. That experience gave me the confidence to lean into my own style rather than follow what was already popular. Since then, colour has become the defining feature of my work.
When did ceramics come into your life?
I first discovered ceramics while studying Decorative Arts at university. Although I explored a range of materials during my degree, ceramics was the medium that kept drawing me back. We were offered Slipcasting or Throwing, but I loved how technical slipcasting was while still offering endless creative possibilities.
After graduating in 2018, I continued developing my practice and eventually established Natalie Bell Ceramics in 2020. My whole first year of owning my own space was simply testing colours! Since then I've been refining my slip-casting techniques, expanding my collections through mould making and exhibiting my work at ceramic fairs and maker events across the UK.
Where can we find you on a typical day?
You can usually find me juggling several things at once! Alongside running my ceramics business, I work part-time, and I'm currently living between two places while I prepare to move both my life and my studio to a new town. When I'm not making ceramics, you'll probably find me planning new collections, doing photoshoots (one of my favourite jobs), or looking after Bean—the studio cat, he lived down the yard where my studio is for four years before he let me stroke him, He’s been home with me since November 2025 and has since become a velcro cat and much loved part of the family.
Natalie and Bean
Natalie in her studio
What are your plans for the future?
In the not-too-distant future, my biggest project will be creating a home studio (or a very fancy shed!) at my new home with my partner. This next chapter will also mean merging our families, and I’m hoping Bean settles in well with his new siblings!
Alongside that, I’m excited to continue developing my ceramics practice and creating new work. This year I’ve explored working on a smaller scale by introducing my mini pots, but I’m now looking in the opposite direction and have started developing some much larger pieces. I’d love to explore bigger sculptural forms and even wall-based ceramic artwork.
I’d also like to explore offering product photography for other ceramic makers. It’s something I genuinely love doing, and through exhibiting at ceramic fairs across the country, I’ve built a fantastic network of fellow makers who I’d love to support by helping them showcase their work.
