68 Throwing pots & Fynn Allen, tattoo artist and potter, recently won The Great Pottery Throwdown, season 9. Here, he talks to Craft Focus about his experience. You recently won The Great Pottery Throwdown, season 9! How did you sign up for the TV programme? I applied online, after they extended the deadline. I didn’t tell anyone, not even my partner. Then when I got my first interview call, I spilled the beans. How was your TV experience – have you done anything like that before? It was such a daunting experience even applying and putting myself out there for the experience. It’s by far one of the hardest, but more rewarding experiences in my life. I’ve learned so much, gained confidence in my work and now have a wonderful pottery family. Are you getting recognised on the street or has life returned to normal? So many selfies! I get recognised in the supermarket! it’s lovely chatting to the viewers about the show. How did you get into pottery? When did you begin? My first time on a pottery wheel was in 2020. I was at an art retreat with some friends and had a taster session. From that moment I knew I wanted to do more. it was until my birthday in 2023 that I bought myself a block of six lessons with a potter friend of mine that i got to continue my fascination with clay, as I haven’t looked back since! Have you always been creative? Right from a young age I’ve always had a pen in my hand doodling. My mum is very creative too and encouraged me to try my hand a lots of different crafts, from textiles to painting. I later studied illustration at university in Swansea and began tattooing at 26. Do you now have your own studio? I have recently setup a pottery studio next to my B&B at home. Before then I had a wheel in my hallway and a kiln in my conservatory. Since being on the Throwdown my style has developed more and I love creating pieces that are inspired by breaking moulds
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