Featured Seller: The Little White Box

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Renee Coombe has a favourite mug. It’s just the right weight, sits nicely in her hand and, most importantly, holds a generous amount (because really, who has time to go back and refill in the morning?). Painted by Renee’s god-daughter Sarah, it makes her morning cup of tea something extra special.

“The Little White Box was an idea born from that very cup of tea. The fear that one day I could lose or break my mug made me set about creating the ‘country mug’ and progressively more ideas brewed (mind the pun) from that.”

Ceramic Doily Heart by The Little White Box

What do you make?
Ceramics – from cups and saucers, mugs and teapots to ceramic bunting and ornaments.

How did you get into your craft?
A truly inspiring art teacher. She would teach, travel the world in holidays and share her experiences with young minds so I never doubted once that I was going to be an art teacher. With the birth of my son I realized that it was time for me to get back to ‘making’. So I threw in my Head of Department job in London and made the move home. With the help of my husband we converted an old stables into a studio and The Little White Box was born.

Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I have a Bachelor of Creative Industries and Bachelor of Education.

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
Slip casting plays an important role in my work but this year I’m revisiting working with slabs and hump/slump molds. I’m letting go of the reins and moving towards more bespoke one-off pieces.

Ceramic Snowflake Angel Decoration by The Little White Box

gallery

What inspires you?
Inspired by the great Victorian potters of Stoke-on-Trent, I got caught up in the romantic notion of handmade craftsmanship and set about making functional ceramic tableware. With that came ceramic ornaments and little pieces that make beautiful additions to any home.

Is there a philosophy behind your work?
My work is forever changing, so it’s more about different techniques that I love to explore. If there was a philosophy behind my work it is more about a love of handmade. Craft makes our homes more human and it speaks of concentration and love with which the object was made. What I love most about ‘handmade’ is that it carries the imprint of the hands that made it.

"What I love most about handmade is that it carries the imprint of the hands that made it." – Renee Coombe, The Little White Box

Describe your workspace:
‘The Pit’ – as my husband has aptly named it! – is my office space that I share with my four year old. My studio is the total opposite and everything has a place and bench space is kept clean. It has to, as dust sometimes causes havoc with some of my processes.

The Little White Box studio

Your favourite feedback from a customer:
The beauty of creating ceramic ornaments is that you create pieces for weddings, for births, for holidays – especially Christmas so I get to share special moments in people’s lives.

The most memorable feedback I’ve received is a job I did for a university who sent Red Heart teacups and saucers filled with goodies for their staff in Christchurch. I was forwarded about 25 anonymous thank yous – here are two of my favourites:

“Many thanks for the lovely package I received today. It will be my special tea cup and much used as we lost many of our contents in our home through breakage and damage from the recent earthquake. I am so lucky to have a home that is still intact, but don’t have the time nor energy to replace our items. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.”

“Hi – just having a cup of tea from a cup with a saucer – a rare experience these days – many thanks for the gifts and thoughts.”

Red Heart teacups and saucers awaiting firing

Red Heart teacup, saucer and teapot by The Little White Box

A favourite quote:
This one is about to make an appearance in my work:
Inside us all
Patiently waiting
Is an Adventure

Do you have any pets?
Charlie, our two year old black lab x border collie and four Brown Shaver hens: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Cardamon and Ginger

What was the last handmade item you bought?
I’m a regular at Crafternoon Tea in Kingsland selling my wares but I end up buying just as much. I have to mention all my purchases last visit as I was going to Oz for my brother’s wedding: The Little Card Factory “When your world turns upside down – it’s good to have someone with you” card, a ‘Lopsy Bunny’ print from Ella Quaint, ‘The Fabulous Mr Fox’ grey purse from Alex O & Co and Cowboys Golden Book bunting from Absolutely Alice – (all presents for nieces and nephews!).

Red Ceramic Love Bird Ornaments Decorations by The Little White Box

Renee is generously giving away a set of her beautiful Love Bird ornaments to one lucky Felt customer! Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered into the draw to win these gorgeous decorations. The winner will be drawn on Friday 12 April. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only.

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132 thoughts on “Featured Seller: The Little White Box”

  6. I’ve loved your work for a long time – a lot of your pieces feature on my birthday wishlist this year 🙂 Keep up the great work!

  10. Always love stopping by this stand at Crafternoon Tea in Kingsland and when The Little White Box pops up on Facebook. Makes me smile that each piece has been lovingly thought about and crafted!

  12. Wonderful Renee; as always beautiful work made with heart. Cannot wait to see your next creation with that fabulous quote.

  13. Absolutely love Little White Box’s products, especially her amazing Christmas decorations – and my 4 year old adores her “fluffy” cup with purple hearts!

  24. I am in awe of people who can create something beautiful from a “thought”, the simplest idea can be the most rewarding, your work is delightful.

  26. These speak to my heart, your right that craft makes a home more human. For me these birds are not only human but speak of humanity and I aspire to show humanity to the animals we share the world with. Thank-you for creating beauty that inspires compassion and kindness.

  31. Wonderful website- very inspiring, every piece is an example of how special handmade work is and how timeless good design is 🙂

  33. What a good read! Nice to learn a little bit about you and your lovely craft. I have a favourite mug too but it’s in storage far far away. Maybe I’ll have to shop for a new one amongst those on your site.

  35. Wow – it’s not often I like every single item on a shop’s page; but that’s the case with Littlewhitebox. I would be tickled pink with any one of her amazing creations – I am particularly fond of the Red Hearts Teapot – too cute!!

  36. Great interview and such a cool giveaway. These would be the perfect present for my kids to give my darling wife for Mother’s Day – couldn’t be more perfect considering her love of doves 🙂

  38. Renee your work warms the cockles of my heart!! Such a gorgeous collection of treasures – I would absolutely love to fill my home with them all. Thank you so much for the generous giveaway – I would love to win these for my dear mum – when everyone else gave up on me, she believed in and supported me, ultimately being the driving force behind my recovery from a harrowing 13 year battle with anorexia. These beautiful doves would be a perfect reminder of the incredible feat we have accomplished together.

  42. Renee,
    you are truly inspirational.
    I have made a few purchases from your felt store as gifts in the past. They are all now very treasured fixtures in peoples lives.
    Thank you for sharing your story.

  50. Beautiful work and an interesting story! The gift at the top is so beautifully wrapped, and I loooooove that polka dot teapot! Although I have to say, the wee white and red bird ornaments are my favourite on this page. What a clever lady.

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