A potter in Salford is encouraging people to shop locally from creative businesses this Christmas.
David Partington is the owner of Partington’s Pots – based in Islington Mill – and uses clay from Salford to make pottery for restaurants, as well as helping vulnerable adults and trauma victims.
He said: “I would promote anybody to make Christmas gifts, or buy locally if you possibly can, and buy from creatives and local producers.
“Things with a story are very important. When it comes to Amazon, although Amazon’s a great thing for certain things, it’s soulless and you don’t know where it’s come from really.
“It just arrives in a box and there isn’t really a story behind it. Whereas when you do actually meet the maker, it makes it a little bit more special when there’s a story behind it I find.”
Partington previously worked in education and had been running Partington’s Pots as well for 13 years, but made his pottery full time two years ago. Now with his business as his full time job, he has started running workshops as well.
He goes into schools to teach children about the healing properties of working with clay, as well as running workshops for people who are overcoming trauma and vulnerable adults.
He explains that using clay is a good form of therapy. “Clay, just like all arts, you’re very engrossed in it. When I work with people, even people who are just feeling a bit anxious after the pandemic, when you work with it, people tend to open up a little bit more,” he said.
“It’s got a very calming property; it’s got a calming influence. They tend to talk more, open up more, relax more.
“I think it relates back to just doing things with your hands, your mind is more focused on those skills rather than going into darker places.”
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