by Annabel Mantle
Annabel has lived around the Mawddach Estuary for most of her life arriving here at the age of 11 and has never wanted to be away for long, always appreciating the beauty of our surroundings and having a love of art from an early age. Annabel was brought up with ceramics as her parents ran a pottery business called Bryn Melyn Studio. This was where she learned her craft and began earning pocket money while still at school in the 1970s.
Annabel has worked at a variety of jobs including the pottery at Corris Craft Centre where she picked up a number of skills and tips. She also continued to work at Bryn Melyn while bringing up a family. The business thrived and continued trading until 2007 when Steve and Lesley retired. At this time Annabel decided to re-name the business Bryn Glâs Ceramics and with help from her sister, Louise and husband Pete has continued to make the most popular products and new designs of her own.
Working at home in her converted cow shed on the small holding where they have lived for the last 18 years Annabel makes ceramic wall plaques and small hand sculpted animals often using white earthenware clay and a selection of tints, stains and glazes and sometimes using a brown stoneware clay for bowls and plaques. She also slip casts some pieces. All of her press moulds and some of the casting moulds are designed and made by her so they are unique. One of her old favourites, the Magnetic Properties - a series of miniature Welsh buildings - have been given a new lease of life with the introduction of hand painted, reclaimed timber background.
Address: Bryn Meurig, Friog, Fairbourne, Gwynedd LL38 2TQ
Telephone: 01341 250 474
Website: www.brynglasceramics.co.uk