Jan Burridge from Burley-on-the-Hill is a ceramicist and takes great pride in using the things she makes.

She said: "There is no greater pleasure than serving food to people in hand made things, especially if you know the artist. The pleasure is in using them and enjoying them as you are meant to.

"I see no point in sitting and making hundreds of the same thing when you can buy things like that from the shops. I try to give each piece an individuality."

Jan started her career as a graphic designer and took up ceramics 12 years ago when she did a class at Vale of Catmose College. By the end of the term, Jan was running the class and enjoying experimenting with different materials and glazes.

She said: "My father was a geologist and what I do in the kiln is similar to what happens naturally over thousands of years. I heat up clay to extreme temperatures and see the effects.

"Perhaps there is something in my genes."

Jan does not just make pots, she sculpts, and is currently making a lot of heads and historical figures. She said: "The pieces I am making at the moment tend to take their influence from English slip wear. The figures I am making resemble those made by the workers in the Black Country many years ago.

"Inspiration is constantly evolving. As soon as you become an artist you become interested in other people's works and become inspired by them."

Jan is a collector herself and has many paintings and pieces that she has collected over the years from galleries and artists. She said: "I am a regular to Uppingham. Goldmark gallery and the Orange Street Gallery are wonderful places to visit."

Jan will be exhibiting at Hay Cottage, Morcott over the four weekends of the Open Studios. You can see her work on June 21, 22, 28 and 29 and July 5, 6, 12 and 13.