About

 

 

Potters Thumb is a pottery studio and ceramics workspace based at the White Building in Hackney Wick. Founded by ceramicist Mark Ciavola and originally established in Brighton, the studio now operates from East London as both a professional ceramics studio and a shared workspace for makers.

​

Potters Thumb offers studio memberships for London based ceramicists, providing facilities for wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, and kiln firing. The studio supports independent practice, small scale production, and collaborative projects, with a strong focus on material quality, craftsmanship, and experimentation.

​

Ceramicist and Founder

Mark Ciavola is a ceramicist with an international background and decades of hands on experience in pottery, teaching, and material research. Raised in Malta, he was introduced to ceramics at an early age by his mother Anna, whose influence shaped his long term connection to craft and making.

Mark later relocated to the UK, where he trained under established potters including Phil Rogers and Michael Casson. He went on to study ceramics at Harrogate College and the Cardiff Institute of Higher Education.

Alongside his studio practice, Mark has worked across education and the creative industries, teaching ceramics and art at various levels, including BTEC National Diploma. He has also lectured at MCAST.

​

Glass Porcelain

Glass Porcelain is an ongoing material research project developed at Potters Thumb. It transforms discarded single use glass into a ceramic like material, addressing zero waste principles and circular production methods.

The project focuses on closing the loop on waste glass generated by the catering and hospitality industries, creating durable, tactile surfaces suitable for tableware, tiles, and architectural applications. Glass Porcelain combines ceramics expertise with sustainable design, offering a low waste alternative to imported materials with high carbon footprints.

Further information can be found on the Glass Porcelain page.

Studio Practice and Collaborations

Potters Thumb produces hand thrown and hand made ceramic tableware and sculptural work for professional and domestic use. The studio works directly with chefs, restaurants, and hospitality professionals to create bespoke crockery designed for daily service while retaining the individuality of handmade ceramics.

​

Potters Thumb ceramics can be found in restaurants across the UK and internationally, including:

​

​

Silo
The Set
Restaurant Tristan
Gravetye Manor
Little Fish Market
FREA
CUB
Lyaness

BKC - London

Rovi - Ottolenghi

And many more.