In northern Europe fairytales trolls and mythological creatures are very present. It’s something I grew up with and something I have always believed in. For instance, I never believed in Santa Claus but I always believed there were small gnomes living in the attic!

Mainly hand modelling. I’m not very keen on using too many moulds. When you use a mould you are making replicas, not something original, so sometimes I think it looks a bit dead. I want it to look like I didn’t make them, they made themselves, like they are alive.

Making the objects, modelling the clay, that’s the best part. All the rest – firing and glazing, showing the work and going to private views – you just have to do it. What I really enjoy is sitting in the studio with my dog, listening to music and just modelling.

My professor on my BA course always cared so much about finish, and I care a lot about that now. Putting in that extra half a day’s work to make it a tiny bit better, even though normal people would probably not see the difference – only craftsmen would see the difference.