An Interview with Vicki Baker, Uncut Stems
To celebrate the launch of the Autumnus Vase for BATCH 1, we got in touch with our friend Vicki, founder of Uncut Stems, to see if she’d like to create something for us. Luckily she said yes and it has been a joy to see how Vicki and her colleague Louisa decided to style the vase.
Uncut Stems is, put simply, a flower club. But it’s so much more! It’s a flower subscription that champions British flowers, and therefore all the seasonal intricacies of doing so. I just wish they covered Sheffield! I asked Vicki some questions about Uncut Stems…
The Autumnus Vase, styled by Uncut Stems
Tell us a bit about how Uncut Stems came about - had you been brewing the idea for a while before you launched?
Uncut Stems was born out of lockdown. I’d been a creative producer and stylist for some time before but all of my booked work cancelled in March 2020 as the magnitude of the COVID crisis started to dawn on us.
I’d always loved flowers and had wanted to learn more about them for a long time. I would take apart flowers sent to me keen to learn more and craved information on each stem, which I wasn’t getting. I wanted to understand where the flowers came from, if they were in season, why did the grower pick that flower and what happened to the flowers that didn’t get picked?
In a bid to learn more I started buying flowers from local growers and delivering them to friends, unarranged, in buckets around London and with a letter describing what each flower is, where it came from and how to care for it. We’d all share how we’d styled them under the hashtag #showusyourStems and Uncut Stems was born!
You only use flowers grown in Britain for Uncut Stems - how big a challenge is that? Is it tricky finding suppliers and growers?
Supply chain is our biggest challenge but the industry is blossoming alongside demand. It’s not an overnight process, the very nature of growing and the seasons forces a certain speed, but alongside our growers we’re building up capacity and are really excited for the future. We are also very much open about the fact that the seasons are tough over here and there may be the odd weeks in the future where we need to source seasonal European flowers, but if we ever do then we’ll always explain our decisions to our customers.
Do you find a lot of your work is in changing a general mindset and promoting seasonality?
Education is a central part of what we’re trying to achieve. Not only seasonality, although that is a large part of it, but also how flowers age. We’re big on editing down your arrangements rather than binning them. Don’t be off-put by a browning flower - pick off it’s petals and leave the stem in the vase as what’s underneath is almost always worth hanging on to!
“Don’t be off-put by a browning flower - pick off it’s petals and leave the stem in the vase as what’s underneath is almost always worth hanging on to!”
I love the illustrations you include in your letters - who makes them? Is writing the letters a labour of love?
I love writing the letters, it feels like a space where we don’t need to be self-conscious (unlike Instagram!) and can really connect directly with our customers.
The illustrations have been a slower burn. After sending out our very first letter with none a friend put her hand up to help and for the first season she drew everything. But things can change at a moments notice in the flower world and I felt terrible asking her for new drawings late at night when a last minute stem substitution had occurred and so, as we had no money, I bought an Apple pen and learnt how to do them myself. Over time I’ve gotten better and now when I’m pulling a letter together I often giggle at the quality of some of the drawings I did late at night last year - they get redrawn of course!
Tall mug in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
325ml // 11 cm h x 7.5 cm ø
Autumnus Bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our olive glaze.
Our Autumnus Vase range was first created in 2022, each bowl being designed to fit a medium sized Kenzan, perfect for creating floral arrangements. Simple add the kenzan, arrange the stems and add water. The bowl also works well as a fruit bowl or stand alone decorative piece.
9.3 cm x 27.4cm
Autumnus Bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our nori glaze.
Our Autumnus Vase range was first created in 2022, each bowl being designed to fit a medium sized Kenzan, perfect for creating floral arrangements. Simple add the kenzan, arrange the stems and add water. The bowl also works well as a fruit bowl or stand alone decorative piece.
9 cm x 28.2cm
Cup (tea bowl) thrown in a pale stoneware and available in either our nori or ochre glaze. The cup is suited to a wide range of uses including herbal tea, flat whites / cappuccino and cold drinks too.
To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
255ml // 8cm h x 8cm ø
Teacup and Saucer thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in wood ash crackle glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. The glaze has a beautiful and subtle green hue derived from the trace amounts of iron in the wood ash.
Teacup: 7.2cm x 10.5cm / Saucer: 2.5cm x 16cm // 240ml
Teapot thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in a shino glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze offers much variation and beauty depending on its placement in the kiln. In this instance the glaze is a golden caramel tone with lots of iron flecking, and breaking orange in certain areas.
This teapot is part of a wider collection of teapots we made for our 2026 reduction fired collection, each one made intuitively and completely unique.
13cm x 12.2cm / 675ml
Autumnus Bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our pale blue chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. Rhythmic brushstrokes of iron oxide wash have been applied over the top of the glaze.
Our Autumnus Vase range was first created in 2022, each bowl being designed to fit a medium sized Kenzan, perfect for creating floral arrangements. Simple add the kenzan, arrange the stems and add water. The bowl also works well as a fruit bowl or stand alone decorative piece.
9.4 cm x 28cm
Autumnus Bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our pale blue chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. Thick brushstrokes of our wood-ash chun glaze have been applied over the top of the glaze, creating a painterly and varied surface.
Our Autumnus Vase range was first created in 2022, each bowl being designed to fit a medium sized Kenzan, perfect for creating floral arrangements. Simple add the kenzan, arrange the stems and add water. The bowl also works well as a fruit bowl or stand alone decorative piece.
10 cm x 27.4cm
Autumnus Bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our new crackle ash glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is so beautiful and subtle with a green and blue (depending on the light, as pictured) hue derived entirely from the trace amounts of iron in the wood ash. Flecked and crackled.
Our Autumnus Vase range was first created in 2022, each bowl being designed to fit a medium sized Kenzan, perfect for creating floral arrangements. Simple add the kenzan, arrange the stems and add water. The bowl also works well as a fruit bowl or stand alone decorative piece.
9.3 cm x 29cm
Essential oil burner thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our pale blue chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is a cool blue tone with little spots of iron oxide painted underneath the glaze, showing through beautifully.
Each burner comes with one beeswax tea light candle and instructions for use.
9.5 cm x 9.5cm
Essential oil burner thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our pale blue chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is a cool blue tone with lines of iron oxide wash hand painted in the curve of the lid.
Each burner comes with one beeswax tea light candle and instructions for use.
9.5 cm x 9.5cm
Small bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our simple chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is a really simple, with a very pale green hue and lots of iron flecking.
6.3 cm x 11.8cm
Small bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our new crackle ash glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is a really simple, with a a green hue derived from the iron in the wood ash.
6.3 cm x 11.8cm
Small bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our pale blue chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is a lovely blue colour with iron oxide brushwork adding a painterly surface.
6.3 cm x 11.8cm
Small bowl thrown in an iron-rich stoneware and glazed in our pale blue chun glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln. This glaze is a lovely blue colour. There is a recessed line just below the lip of the bowl in which iron oxide has been brushed before being glazed, adding further surface depth and variation.
6.3 cm x 11.8cm
Teacup and Saucer thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in a white nuka type glaze, reduction fired in a gas kiln.
The glaze is made from wood ash and has a matte/satin feel, whiter in places with lots of iron flecking. Subtle and beautiful.
Teacup: 7.2cm x 10.5cm / Saucer: 2.5cm x 16cm // 240ml
Multi-functional flower frog and vase, wheel-thrown in a flecked stoneware. The vase is faceted and includes a lid which can be used to create floral arrangements by adding single stems. This is a very easy way of making arrangements out of the foliage and flowers you have available (even in the midst of Winter!). Alternatively the vessel can be used as a regular stem vase without the lid.
This piece is glazed in our shino glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. Only one available.
12cm h x 8cm ø
Multi-functional flower frog and vase, wheel-thrown in a flecked stoneware. The vase is faceted and includes a lid which can be used to create floral arrangements by adding single stems. This is a very easy way of making arrangements out of the foliage and flowers you have available (even in the midst of Winter!). Alternatively the vessel can be used as a regular stem vase without the lid.
This piece is glazed in our shino glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. Only one available.
12cm h x 8cm ø
Multi-functional flower frog and vase, wheel-thrown in a flecked stoneware. The vase is faceted and includes a lid which can be used to create floral arrangements by adding single stems. This is a very easy way of making arrangements out of the foliage and flowers you have available (even in the midst of Winter!). Alternatively the vessel can be used as a regular stem vase without the lid.
This piece is glazed in our pale blue chun glaze with iron brushwork added to each facet. Reduction fired in a gas kiln.
12cm h x 8cm ø
Tall mug thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in a wood ash nuka type glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. The glaze is a semi matte white / grey tone, with some flecking from the iron in the clay body.
11.6cm x 7.5cm / usable capacity 270ml (capacity when full 320ml)
Tall mug thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in our new crackle ash glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. The glaze is a pale green colour, beautifully simple with lots of depth and character.
11.6cm x 7.5cm / usable capacity 270ml (capacity when full 320ml)
Tall mug thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in a chun type glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. The glaze is subtle and simple, a grey / blue hue with lots of iron flecking from the clay body.
11.6cm x 7.5cm / usable capacity 270ml (capacity when full 320ml)
Tall mug thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in a shino type glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. The glaze has a great deal of character and variation, white and glossy in areas, breaking into an orange colour on the edges or where applied thinly.
11.6cm x 7.5cm / usable capacity 270ml (capacity when full 320ml)
Tall mug thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in a celadon type glaze. Reduction fired in a gas kiln. This piece has a glossy deep green with lots if iron flecking throughout.
11.6cm x 7.5cm / usable capacity 270ml (capacity when full 320ml)
Bottle vase thrown in a flecked stoneware and faceted at the wheel. Glazed in a pale blue chun glaze and reduction fired in a gas kiln.
18.5 cm x 6cm
Bottle vase thrown in a flecked stoneware and faceted at the wheel. Glazed in a pale blue chun glaze and reduction fired in a gas kiln.
17 cm x 6cm
Bottle vase thrown in a flecked stoneware and faceted at the wheel. Glazed in a shino glaze and reduction fired in a gas kiln.
18 cm x 6cm
One of the things I love about your flower club is the way you present a really engaging and easy to follow process for arranging the stems. Sometimes it can feel quite intimidating arranging flowers - have you any top tips?
Look at each individual stem and consider it’s shape, colour and texture. What makes it interesting? Can anything be removed (a leaf, a bud, a node) to accentuate it? And after that point don’t over think it, just take stock every now and then to make sure the shape you’re making is pleasing to you. If you’re anything like me that will change a lot over the next couple of days so enjoy the process!
In the studio we love making playlists or listening to audiobooks whilst we make pots. Do you have any favourite music / podcasts to listen to whilst arranging the flowers?
We take it in turns to put on playlists which varies through nostalgia (Phil Collins radio on Spotify is always a winner) to hip hop to to garage to dance. We’ve been working our way through the Mercury nominees this month which has been fun!
“Look at each individual stem and consider it’s shape, colour and texture. What makes it interesting? Can anything be removed (a leaf, a bud, a node) to accentuate it? And after that point don’t over think it, just take stock every now and then to make sure the shape you’re making is pleasing to you. ”
What's your favourite thing about your work?
When customers reach out to tell us about a memory associated with a flower, or to tell us that our flowers have meant something to them or even when they simply message out of curiosity about something. We call ourselves a flower club because we’re all learning from one another and the community we have built is what I am most proud of.
As well as this wonderful community, I’ve also really enjoyed the process of seeking investment. To have others agree that your idea is an exciting prospect has been such a confidence boost. We’re building up toward our next big round and honestly, I’m excited!
“We call ourselves a flower club because we’re all learning from one another and the community we have built is what I am most proud of.”
Many people reading this will want to join Uncut Stems I'm sure, but the club is full! When do you expect to open up the list again? And what's next for Uncut Stems?
It is, but we’ve been working hard on it and are ready to release more London subscription spots on the 23rd September. We have a waiting list here, and those who pop their name down will get first access which we recommend as getting a spot can get quite competitive!
Tall mug in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
325ml // 11 cm h x 7.5 cm ø
Tall mug in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
325ml // 11 cm h x 7.5 cm ø
Cup (tea bowl) thrown in a pale stoneware and available in either our nori or ochre glaze. The cup is suited to a wide range of uses including herbal tea, flat whites / cappuccino and cold drinks too.
To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
255ml // 8cm h x 8cm ø
Hand-thrown coffee pour-over / dripper, thrown at the wheel in a flecked stoneware.
Available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
Designed for use with Hario v60 coffee filter paper size 2. Simple add the filter paper, your desired amount of coffee and add boiling water. This is compatible with any of our mugs and cups (except mini tapered mugs or espresso cups).
Curved Mug thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware. The perfect vessel for a hot chocolate, milky coffee or cup of tea.
The mug has a comforting shape to hold and an elegant foot-ring.
H 7cm x D 10.5cm. 300ml.
Our newest mug design is a classic, versatile shape suitable for tea and coffee. It holds 325ml and is thrown in our flecked stoneware and available in our seven standard glazes.
9.2cm h x 9cm ø // 325ml
Dinner bowl, thrown at the wheel in a flecked stoneware and available in our seven standard glazes (plus a new glaze ‘Orange’. This is a new design for 2026, based loosely on the Jenny Bowl which we made a few years back. It is slightly larger than our dinner bowl, with a similar interior capacity but a large rim.
24 cm d x 6.5 cm h
Flared bowl thrown at the wheel in a flecked stoneware and glazed in our nori glaze, with brushwork over the top. These bowls have a painterly pattern with variations of blue and green. Each is one of a kind and very characterful. Can be used as a decorative piece or as a functional bowl for dips, sauces and desserts.
H 6cm x D 14 cm.
Elevated candle holder, thrown in a flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: ochre, nori, charcoal, sand, powder, olive and speckled white.
4.5cm h x 10cm ø
Espresso Cup thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: tin white, charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
7cm h x 6.4cm ø excluding handle // 115ml
Broth, Soup or Ramen Bowl thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
This bowl was originally developed as a ramen bowl, however we find it suitable for many varieties of foods - from breakfast porridge to soups and stews - so we decided to change the name to honour that.
This is the regular size, but we also make a larger version.
Small, £42ea: 8cm h x 17.5cm ø
Broth, Soup or Ramen Bowl thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
This bowl was originally developed as a ramen bowl, however we find it suitable for many varieties of foods - from breakfast porridge to soups and stews - so we decided to change the name to honour that.
This is the large size, but we also make a smaller version.
Large: 8cm h x 20cm ø
Lidded Jar thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand tin white and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
7.5cm h x 10cm ø / 350ml
Lidded Jar thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in our standard ware glazes. These jars are carefully thrown at the wheel with a lid made to fit each jar body, so that it is a perfect fit. Suitable for storing foodstuffs and sourdough starter, amongst other uses.
To learn more about the different glaze colours,please see our colour guide.
13cm h x 10.5cm ø / 750ml
Please note that a 5% discount is given on all tableware pre-orders automatically at the checkout*.
Tableware set for 1-8 settings (4-piece to 40-piece), including:
Dinner Plate 2.5cm h x 24.5cm ø
Side Plate 2.5cm h x 20cm ø`
Dinner bowl 5cm h x 20.5cm ø
Cereal bowl 7cm h x 14.8cm ø
4 piece set includes 1 x dinner plate, 1 x side plate, 1 x dinner bowl and 1 x cereal bowl
8 piece set includes 2 x dinner plate, 2 x side plate, 2x dinner bowl and 2 x cereal bowl
Etc.
Available in flecked and pale stoneware, in ochre, nori, charcoal, olive, powder, sand, speckled white. Please note that if you are undecided about which glaze you’d like now, don’t worry! You can decide later, we’ll be in touch to discuss glaze options with you after you’ve placed the order. If you do know which glaze you’d like already, just let us know at the checkout. A set of glaze swatch tiles and a colour guide is complimentary for all dinner-set pre-orders and will be posted to you upon receipt of your order (UK only).
For different configurations or quantities, please get in touch via email. *The 5% discount is only applied for pre-orders over 4 items.
- The voucher can only be used on the Pottery West website and not via our stockists.
- This is a hard copy gift card, at check out we ask you to specify who the gift card is to and from.
- Gift vouchers are valid for 24 months from the date of issue. Any remaining balance will be cancelled on expiry date of the validity period.
-Each gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total.
- The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash.
- We also have a digital gift card option available
- The voucher can only be used on the Pottery West website and not via our stockists.
- Gift vouchers are valid for 24 months from the date of issue. Any remaining balance will be cancelled on expiry date of the validity period.
-After purchase, we will email you with a digital gift card. Purchasing this digital gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total.
- The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash.
Multi-functional flower frog and vase, wheel-thrown in a flecked stoneware. The vase is faceted and includes a lid which can be used to create floral arrangements by adding single stems. This is a very easy way of making arrangements out of the foliage and flowers you have available (even in the midst of Winter!). Alternatively the vessel can be used as a regular stem vase without the lid.
The vase is available in the following colours: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand, speckled white. To learn more about the colours please see here.
Please note there is a greater degree of variation from batch to batch than most of our pieces.
11.5cm h x 8cm ø
We’re very excited to announce our book, ‘Designing and Making Tableware at The Wheel’, published by Crowood Press.
Practical and accessible, personal and technical, this inspiring book is invaluable for all makers, whatever their experience, who want to create wheel-thrown tableware. It is written by Catherine and Matt West who share the knowledge and passion so evident in their own work, and explores the overlapping notions of craft, design and small-batch production. Richly illustrated with over 300 photos and with detailed step-by-step sequences, it celebrates the slow-nature of making by hand and explains how to make consistent pieces that add joy and meaning to the table.
Cup (tea bowl) thrown in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. The cup is suited to a wide range of uses including herbal tea, flat whites / cappuccino and cold drinks too.
To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
255ml // 8cm h x 8cm ø
Dinner Bowl, hand thrown at the potter’s wheel in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. These bowls are perfect for pasta dishes, but also lots of other dishes too. They are one of the most popular pieces we make.
To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
5cm h x 20.5cm ø
Lidded Jar thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in an iron-rich tenmoku glaze, which is a glossy deep brown colour. This piece has been reduction fired in a gas kiln.
Our tall lidded jars can be used for many things, some people like to use them as sourdough starter jars or for food stuffs, or they can be entirely decorative.
6 cm h x 10cm ø // Usable capacity 800ml / capacity to the rim 810ml
Lidded Jar thrown in a flecked stoneware and glazed in an iron-rich tenmoku glaze, which is a glossy deep brown colour. This piece has been reduction fired in a gas kiln.
Our tall lidded jars can be used for many things, some people like to use them as sourdough starter jars or for food stuffs, or they can be entirely decorative.
14.5 cm h x 10.5cm ø // Usable capacity 650ml / capacity to the rim 680ml
Teapot thrown in a local flecked stoneware.
18cm h x 18cm ø (from the top of the handle to bottom of the teapot and including the spout) / 855ml
We make each piece by hand in our Sheffield studio. There may be slight variation in the dimensions specified in this listing and also variation in the glaze. This is especially the case with our teapots, as each part is made carefully by hand, from the teapot body to the thrown spout and pulled handle. The glaze is highly individual on each piece.
Tapered Mug thrown in a flecked stoneware.
9cm h x 7.4cm ø // 250ml
(Please note the 350ml size, which appears on some of the images, is discontinued)
Lidded Jar thrown in a pale Cornish stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
7.5cm h x 10cm ø / 250ml
Serving Bowl in a pale stoneware and available in our nori glaze.
7cm h x 27cm ø
Dinner bowl thrown in a pale Cornish stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours,please see our colour guide. The glazes are similar to those on the flecked stoneware, except a little bit brighter and clearer.
5cm h x 20.5cm ø
Dinner Plate thrown in a pale Cornish stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide. The glazes are similar to those on the flecked stoneware, except a little bit brighter and clearer.
2.5cm h x 24.5cm ø
Side Plate in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours,please see our colour guide.
2.5cm h x 20cm ø
Tall mug in an iron-rich flecked stoneware and available in the following glazes: charcoal, nori, ochre, olive, powder, sand and speckled white. To learn more about the different glaze colours, please see our colour guide.
325ml // 11 cm h x 7.5 cm ø